Betty Buckley
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- July 3, 1947 in Big Spring, Texas, USA
- Active Years
- 1961–2026 (66 Years)
- Total Credits
- 68 credits in database
Biography
Betty Lynn Buckley is an American actress and singer born on July 3, 1947, in Big Spring, Texas. Active in film, television, and theatre, she is widely known for her role in the television series Eight Is Enough, which ran from 1977 to 1981. She joined the show during its second season after the original star, Diana Hyland, passed away following the first four episodes of the first season. In addition to her acting work, Buckley possesses a powerful singing voice and has achieved success in cabaret and concerts. She has sustained a recording career featuring numerous cast albums and 18 solo albums, earning two Grammy nominations for her music. With a total of 64 known acting credits, Buckley maintains an extensive background across multiple entertainment mediums.
Career overview
Betty Lynn Buckley was born on July 3, 1947, in Big Spring, Texas, USA. She is an American actress and singer who has worked in film, television, and theatre. Known for possessing a singing voice of great power and beauty, Buckley has achieved great success in cabaret and concerts. In addition to her live performances, she has sustained a successful recording career with numerous cast albums and 18 solo albums to her credit, for which she has been nominated for two Grammys.
Buckley is widely known for the television series Eight Is Enough, which aired from 1977 to 1981. She joined the show during its second season after the original star, Diana Hyland, died following the first four episodes of season one, and her character Joan Bradford died as well. Buckley was cast as the central character's new romantic.
Throughout her career in acting, Buckley has accumulated known credits across film, television, and theatre. Her work spans multiple mediums and includes her extensive contributions to recordings and live performance as both an actress and a singer.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
68 titles- By Design (2026) as Cynthia
- Eternity (2025) as Older Joan
- Imaginary (2024) as Gloria
- The Mayfly (2024)
- The Mayfly (2024) Executive Producer
- Magda (2023) Producer
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- Split (2017) as Dr. Karen Fletcher
- The Making of 'Split' (2017) as Self
- Preacher (2016) as Gran’ma
- Harry Benson: Shoot First (2016) as Self
- More Acting 'Carrie' (2016) as Self
- Chicago Med (2015) as Olga Barlow
- Supergirl (2015) as Owl (voice)
- Supergirl (2015) as Patricia Arias
- The Leftovers (2014) as Jane
- Getting On (2013) as Dottie Levy
- Five Time Champion (2012) as Fran
- The Real Love (2012)
- Pretty Little Liars (2010) as Regina Marin
- The Pacific (2010) as Marion Leckie
- Melrose Place (2009) as Bernadette Reese
- The Happening (2008) as Mrs. Jones
- Vinegar Hill (2005) as Mary Margaret Grier
- The Jury (2004)
- The Mummy an' the Armadillo (2004) as Let
- Broadway's Lost Treasures (2003) as Grizabella (segment "Cats")
- Monk (2002) as Cheryl Fleming
- Without a Trace (2002) as Catherine Ryder
- New World Order (2002) as Rose Kross
- Acting 'Carrie' (2001) as Self
- Stars and the Moon: Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar (2001) as Herself
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Attorney Walsh
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Trial Division Chief Lorraine Maxwell
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Lorraine Maxwell
- Simply Irresistible (1999) as Aunt Stella
- Yours for a Song: The Women of Tin Pan Alley (1999)
- Oz (1997) as Suzanne Fitzgerald
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- Remember WENN (1996) as Gloria Redmond
- Critical Choices (1996) as Dr. Margret Ludlow
- Wyatt Earp (1994) as Virginia Earp
- Betrayal of Trust (1994) as Jan Galanti
- Last Time Out (1994) as Maxine Black
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Rain Without Thunder (1993) as Beverly Goldring
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992) as Self
- Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story (1992) as Mrs. Parker
- Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company (1992) as Rose Hovick
- Babycakes (1989) as Wanda
- Taking a Stand (1989) as Lillian Robinson
- Frantic (1988) as Sondra Walker
- Another Woman (1988) as Kathy
- Roses Are for the Rich (1987) as Ella
- Wild Thing (1987) as Leah
- Roses Are for the Rich (1987) as Ella
- L.A. Law (1986) as Elsa Chandler
- Evergreen (1985) as Mrs. Bradford
- The Three Wishes of Billy Grier (1984) as Nancy Grier
- Tender Mercies (1983) as Dixie
- Cagney & Lacey (1982)
- The Ordeal of Bill Carney (1981) as Barbara Slaner
- Eight Is Enough (1977) as Abby Bradford
- The Rubber Gun Squad (1977)
- Carrie (1976) as Miss Collins
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Broadway: The Next Generation as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Betty Buckley best known for?
Betty Buckley is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including By Design (2026), Eternity (2025), Imaginary (2024), Stars in the House (2020).
When and where was Betty Buckley born?
Betty Buckley was born on July 3, 1947 in Big Spring, Texas, USA.
How many credits does Betty Buckley have?
Betty Buckley has accumulated over 68 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2026.
What is Betty Buckley's background in cinema and television?
Betty Lynn Buckley is an American actress and singer born on July 3, 1947, in Big Spring, Texas. Active in film, television, and theatre, she is widely known for her role in the television series Eight Is Enough, which ran from 1977 to 1981. She joined the show during its second season after the original star, Diana Hy...
Betty Buckley by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Chicago Med (2015) as Olga Barlow — aged about 67
- Pretty Little Liars (2010) as Regina Marin — aged about 62
- Monk (2002) as Cheryl Fleming — aged about 54
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Attorney Walsh — aged about 51
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Trial Division Chief Lorraine Maxwell — aged about 51
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Lorraine Maxwell — aged about 51
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