Kelly Bishop's Net Worth
Kelly Bishop is a celebrated American actress and dancer with an impressive net worth of $4 million. She is widely recognized for her iconic role as Emily Gilmore in the beloved TV series Gilmore Girls and for her notable performance as the mother of Jennifer Grey's character, Baby, in the cult-classic film, Dirty Dancing. Additionally, Bishop is renowned for originating the role of Sheila in the musical A Chorus Line, which earned her a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. She also starred as Fanny Flowers in the series Bunheads.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Carole "Kelly" Bishop on February 28, 1944, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, she began her ballet training at The American Ballet Theatre School, later continuing at the San Jose Ballet School. At 18, she secured her first professional dancing role with a year-round ballet company at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Bishop's early career also included performances in Las Vegas, summer stock theater, and television, leading to her Broadway debut in the musical Golden Rainbow (1967).
Breakthrough in A Chorus Line and Broadway Success
Kelly Bishop's career breakthrough came in 1976 with her Tony-winning performance in A Chorus Line. Her Broadway repertoire expanded with roles in Neil Simon's Proposals, Six Degrees of Separation, and The Last Days of Ballyhoo, as well as in Bus Stop. She also garnered acclaim for her roles in Precious Sons and Becky Shaw, along with numerous off-Broadway and regional theater appearances.
Film and Television Achievements
In 1978, Bishop appeared in Paul Mazursky's film An Unmarried Woman. A serendipitous casting change in 1986 landed her the role of Baby's mother in the film Dirty Dancing, a performance that further elevated her profile. Other notable film credits include the comedy Private Parts and the film Wonder Boys (2000).
On television, aside from her celebrated role in Gilmore Girls, Kelly Bishop starred in The Thorns and My Wildest Dreams, and made guest appearances in popular series such as Murphy Brown, Law & Order, Army Wives, and The Good Wife.
