Person of the Week: The Remarkable Betty Buckley

Betty Buckley

No matter what your career, to communicate at your best is absolutely vital, whether it's to one person, a group or an entire audience. But most people get nervous, forgetful and too fearful to express themselves…

--Betty Buckley

Born in Big Spring, Texas in 1947, Betty Buckley was always an outgoing young woman. In 1966, she was crowned “Miss Fort Worth”—an event which led to her being asked to perform at the Miss America Pageant. Her performance earned her a great deal of attention. Still she returned to Fort Worth where she worked briefly as a newspaper reporter. The lure of the theater was great, and in 1969, Betty Buckley headed to New York where she was cast as Martha Jefferson in the Broadway production of 1776—on her first day in town.

New York Magazine referred to Buckley as “The Voice of Broadway.” She was soon much in demand as a singer and actress. In 1982, her performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats solidified Miss Buckley’s permanent place amongst the greatest Broadway performers. Many consider her rendition of “Memory” to be the finest of any performer’s. Prior to Cats, Miss Buckley starred as “Abbey” in Eight is Enough from 1977-1982.

Miss Buckley’s other stage work includes: Promises, Promises; Pippin; The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Carrie – The Musical; Sunset Boulevard; and The Triumph of Love. She also has a wealth of screen credits to her name.

What makes Betty Buckley so amazing—in addition to her talent—is her approachability, easy-going manner and her desire to help others. For the past thirty years, Miss Buckley has taught song interpretation and communication in Forth Worth and New York. If anyone can instruct you on how to sell a song, it’s Betty Buckley.

I had the great fortune of seeing Betty Buckley in an intimate concert at Addison, Texas’ lovely Watertower Theatre last Christmas, and I have to say that she was as charming and lovely as her voice is strong. It was a wonderful evening watching a thoroughly exceptional performer. For her outstanding talent and her kind heart, Betty Buckley is this week’s “Person of the Week.”

This clip of Betty Buckley singing an aria from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical version of Sunset Boulevard demonstrates her charm and amazing talent.