An esteemed American actress, she has graced both stage and screen with her versatile talent. Her career took off in the late 1960s with a Tony Award-winning performance in "The Great White Hope," which she reprised in the film adaptation, earning an Academy Award nomination. Known for her powerful presence and depth in roles, she has received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Beyond acting, she served as the chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, advocating for arts funding and education.