Kathy Brier

Kathy Brier is an American actress and singer born on March 10, 1975, in Staten Island, New York. She attended Moore Catholic High School before enrolling at Wagner College, where she studied theatre and business and earned a Bachelor of Science in arts administration.

Brier began her career in regional theatre, taking on roles that included Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, Libby Tucker in I Oughta Be in Pictures, Joy in Cinderella, and Rizzo in Grease. Her Off-Broadway work encompasses productions at several New York venues, among them Ron Taylor and Mayor Maggie in Bat Boy The Musical at Union Square Theatre, The Prince and the Pauper at The Lamb's Theatre, O'Casey Knock at The John Houseman Theatre, Tango Ballad at The Actors Studio, and A Broadway Diva Christmas at the Julia Miles Theatre.

On Broadway, Brier appeared in Hair and Hairspray. Her involvement with Hairspray began when she served as standby for Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur for six months before taking over the starring role of Tracy Turnblad, which she held from 2003 to 2004.

Concurrent with her Broadway work, Brier joined the cast of the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live on October 18, 2002, portraying Marcie Walsh McBain. She continued in the role until June 17, 2009, returned briefly in November 2009, and appeared again in late October and early November 2011. Her performance in the role earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2004 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

In 2010, Brier appeared in episode 1.9, Belle Femme, of the HBO series Boardwalk Empire, portraying vaudeville performer and singer Sophie Tucker. She also contributed vocals to original music for the series. That same year she married, and in 2011 she and her husband had a son.