Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel Headshot

Actress • Singer • Songwriter

Birth Date: May 30, 1971

Age: 51 years old

Birth Place: New York, New York

One of the rare talents to emerge from Broadway and become famous on film and television, Idina Menzel built a career off of her striking, elastic, mezzo-soprano voice. You may know her as a modern bohemian, a wicked witch, a Disney princess, or even as "Adele Dazeem," especially if you happen to be John Travolta, but the point is, you know her. She's the type of star they really don't make anymore, a stage to screen success story, a tale as old as time. Born on May 30, 1971 in New York, NY, Menzel grew up in Syosset, on Long Island. She began her performing career at the age of 15, shortly after her parents divorced, singing at weddings and bar mitzvahs. This is how she supported herself through NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she graduated with a BFA in Drama in 1992. After a few years of bit parts, Menzel auditioned for her first professional theater job, a new musical based on "La Bohemme" that was set to open on Broadway that winter. "Rent" saw Menzel playing the role of Maureen Johnson, the fiery ex-girlfriend of main character Mark Cohen, who now identified as a lesbian. The show was a smash hit, and Menzel was nominated for a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. As an added bonus, it was during this production that she met her future husband, fellow cast member Taye Diggs. Following her final performance in the original run of "Rent" on July 1, 1997, Menzel decided to focus on music. The following year, she released her debut album, Still I Can't Be Still (Hollywood Records, 1998), and spent the summer on the Lilith Fair tour. More theater work soon followed, with appearances in productions of "Summer of '42," "Hair," "Aida," "The Wild Party," and "The Vagina Monologues," amongst others. In 2003, the same year she and Diggs were married, Menzel took on her biggest role yet, co-starring with Kristin Chenoweth in another smash hit musical, "Wicked." For her role as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, Menzel won a Tony for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, and eventually followed the show to London's Apollo Victoria Theater for a run in the West End, for which she earned a record-setting $30,000 per week. In 2005, Menzel made her film debut, reprising the role of Maureen Johnson in Chris Columbus's splashy film adaptation of "Rent" (2005). Though Menzel continued to act and release music throughout the next few years, she was also focused on family: she and Diggs's son, Walker Nathaniel Diggs, was born in 2009, but sadly their marriage ended in divorce in 2013. That same year, Menzel turned in yet another Tony-nominated performance in the musical "If/Then," and set off a genuine cultural zeitgeist thanks to her appearance in the Disney animated film "Frozen" (2013). Loosely based on a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, Menzel voiced Elsa, a princess who has trapped her kingdom in eternal winter. Most importantly, she got to sing the film's show stopping musical number, "Let It Go." The film was praised by critics, broke box office records, and eventually won two Academy Awards, for Best Animated Film, and Best Original Song for "Let It Go." Menzel would reprise the role for an equally successful sequel, "Frozen II" (2019), while also that same year show a totally unseen side of herself by taking on the role of Dinah Rather, the long-suffering wife of Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a Diamond District jeweler and degenerate gambling addict, in the Safdie Brothers' acclaimed, gritty crime drama "Uncut Gems" (2019).

Credits

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah!

Actor
Bree Friedman
Movie
2023

Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?Stream

Executive Producer
TV Show
2022
83%

Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?Stream

Self
TV Show
2022
83%

Who's Talking to Chris Wallace?Stream

Guest
TV Show
2022

Variety's Power of Women: The ChangemakersStream

Self
TV Show
2022

Sherri

Guest
TV Show
2022

Harmonious Live!

Host
TV Show
2022

Kidz Movie Nite

Music Performer
TV Show
2022

DisenchantedStream

Actor
Nancy Tremaine
Movie
2022
36%

American Murderer

Actor
Melanie
Movie
2022

Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad & Jonathan Groff: When We're Together (From Olaf's Frozen Adventure)

Music Performer
TV Show
2021

The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back!

Self
TV Show
2021

Kenny Rogers: All in for the GamblerStream

Music Performer
TV Show
2021

CBS Mornings

Guest
TV Show
2021

WICKED in Concert

Host
TV Show
2021

Kenny Rogers Farewell Concert Celebration: All in for the Gambler

Music Performer
TV Show
2021

POPSUGAR Pop Quiz

Guest
TV Show
2021

Kids Oscar Nite

Music Performer
TV Show
2021

Home for the Holidays

Music Performer
TV Show
2021

CinderellaStream

Actor
Stepmother
Movie
2021
42%

Once Upon a Snowman

Voice
Elsa
TV Show
2020

The Drew Barrymore ShowStream

Guest
TV Show
2020

Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II

Actor
TV Show
2020

Kristen Bell & Idina Menzel: For the First Time in Forever (From Frozen/Sing-Along)

Music Performer
TV Show
2020

The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II

Music Performer
TV Show
2020

The Oscars

Music Performer
TV Show
2020

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff & Cast of Froz: Some Things Never Change (From Frozen 2/Sing-Along)

Music Performer
TV Show
2020

Quiet Christmas Day

Music Performer
TV Show
2020

Idina Menzel: Around the Dinner Table

Music Performer
TV Show
2020

Repeat Attenders

Self
Movie
2020

A Home for the Holidays With Idina Menzel

Host
TV Show
2019

A Home for the Holidays With Idina Menzel

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

87th Annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

The 93rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Guest
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel and Aurora: Into the Unknown (From Frozen 2/Lyric Video)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel and Evan Rachel Wood: Show Yourself (From Frozen 2/Lyric Video)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
TV Show
2019

Today With Hoda & Jenna

Guest
TV Show
2019

Josh Groban BRIDGES: In Concert From Madison Square Garden

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Home For the Holidays

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Holiday Classics

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: At This Table

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: I Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Today's Holidays Hits

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Sleigh Ride

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Kidz New Year's Countdown!

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Winter Wonderland / Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel Feat. Josh Gad: We Wish You the Merriest (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: We Need a Little Christmas (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Walker's 3rd Hanukkah (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Sleigh Ride (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Seasons of Love (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: O Holy Night / Ave Maria (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel Feat. Billy Porter: I Got My Love to Keep Me Warm (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel Feat. Aaron Lohr: I'll Be Home For Christmas (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Christmas Just Ain't Christmas (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Caroling, Caroling (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Auld Lang Syne Introduction (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Auld Lang Syne (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: At This Table (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel Feat. Ariana Grande: A Hand For Mrs. Claus (Yule Log)

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Idina Menzel: Christmas Just Ain't Christmas

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Today's Holiday Hits

Music Performer
TV Show
2019

Frozen IIStream

Voice
Elsa
Movie
2019
77%

Uncut GemsStream

Actor
Dinah
Movie
2019
91%

A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway

Host
TV Show
2018

A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway

Music Performer
TV Show
2018

Undercover Boss: Celebrity EditionStream

Guest
TV Show
2018

Holiday Pop

Music Performer
TV Show
2018

Jazzin' the Holidays

Music Performer
TV Show
2018

It's a Kids Christmas

Music Performer
TV Show
2018

Kids' Oscar Night Party

Music Performer
TV Show
2018

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Voice
Elsa
Movie
2018

Josh Gad, Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell and Cast: Olaf's Frozen Adventure: That Time of Year

Music Performer
TV Show
2017

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration

Music Performer
TV Show
2017

Olaf's Frozen Adventure Plus 6 Disney Tales

Voice
Elsa
TV Show
2017

The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration

Music Performer
TV Show
2017

Olaf's Frozen Adventure

Voice
Elsa
TV Show
2017

Pickler & Ben

Guest
TV Show
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
TV Show
2017

Julie's Greenroom

Guest Star
TV Show
2017

Beaches: The After Party

Actor
TV Show
2017

Idina Menzel Feat. Michael Bublé: Baby, It's Cold Outside

Music Performer
TV Show
2017

BeachesStream

Actor
CC Bloom
Movie
2017

Olaf's Frozen AdventureStream

Voice
Elsa
Movie
2017
57%

The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60

Music Performer
TV Show
2016

Idina Menzel: I See You

Music Performer
TV Show
2016

Idina Menzel: Queen of Swords

Music Performer
TV Show
2016

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
TV Show
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Music Performer
TV Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
TV Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Music Performer
TV Show
2015

Frozen Fever

Voice
Elsa
TV Show
2015

Frozen Fever

Voice
Elsa
Movie
2015

Christmas in Rockefeller Center

Music Performer
TV Show
2014

CMA Country Christmas

Music Performer
TV Show
2014

The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic

Guest
TV Show
2014

The 68th Annual Tony Awards

Music Performer
TV Show
2014

Frozen: Extras

Actor
TV Show
2014

The Oscars

Music Performer
TV Show
2014

Late Night With Seth MeyersStream

Guest
TV Show
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
TV Show
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Music Performer
TV Show
2014

Idina Menzel: Always Starting Over (Live In Studio)

Music Performer
TV Show
2014

Idina Menzel & James Snyder: Here I Go

Music Performer
TV Show
2014

The Social

Guest
TV Show
2013

Idina Menzel: Let It Go

Music Performer
TV Show
2013

Frozen Sing-Along

Voice
Elsa
Movie
2013

FrozenStream

Voice
Elsa
Movie
2013
90%

RuPaul's All Stars Drag RaceStream

Judge
TV Show
2012

Katie

Guest
TV Show
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
TV Show
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Music Performer
TV Show
2012

Entertainment Studios.TV

Guest
TV Show
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
TV Show
2012

Idina Menzel Live -- Barefoot at the Symphony

Music Performer
TV Show
2012

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
TV Show
2011

The Chew

Guest
TV Show
2011

Dish Nation

Guest
TV Show
2011

The Talk

Guest
TV Show
2010

The Talk

Music Performer
TV Show
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
TV Show
2010

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
TV Show
2009

GleeStream

Guest Star
Shelby Corcoran
TV Show
2009
70%

31st Annual Kennedy Center Honors

Music Performer
TV Show
2008

Idina Menzel: Brave

Music Performer
TV Show
2008

Private PracticeStream

Guest Star
Lisa King
TV Show
2007

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
TV Show
2007

Chelsea Lately

Guest
TV Show
2007

The Better Show

Guest
TV Show
2007

EnchantedStream

Actor
Nancy Tremaine
Movie
2007
93%

Rachael RayStream

Guest
TV Show
2006

The One Show

Guest
TV Show
2006

etalk

Guest
TV Show
2006

The Wonder Pets!

Voice
Queen of Hearts
TV Show
2006

Ask the Dust

Actor
Vera
Movie
2006

In den Staub geschrieben

Actor
Movie
2006

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
TV Show
2005

Dancing With the StarsStream

Music Performer
TV Show
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
TV Show
2005

Rent

Actor
Maureen Johnson
Movie
2005

Kevin Hill

Guest Star
TV Show
2004

Cbeebies Bedtime Stories

Guest
TV Show
2004

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
TV Show
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Music Performer
TV Show
2003

Soundstage

Music Performer
TV Show
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
TV Show
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Music Performer
TV Show
2003

American IdolStream

Guest
TV Show
2003
68%

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Music Performer
TV Show
2002

Just a Kiss

Actor
Linda
Movie
2002

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
TV Show
2001

Grounded for LifeStream

Guest Star
Girl At Rave
TV Show
2001

In Performance at the White House

Music Performer
TV Show
1998

The View

Guest
TV Show
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
TV Show
1996

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
TV Show
1993

Nightline

Guest
TV Show
1980

CBS News Sunday Morning

Guest
TV Show
1979

Good Morning America

Guest
TV Show
1975

Great PerformancesStream

Actor
TV Show
1972

Sesame StreetStream

Guest
TV Show
1969

TodayStream

Guest
TV Show
1952

TodayStream

Music Performer
TV Show
1952

News about
Idina Menzel