Kelli O’Hara Biography: Husband, Age, Broadway, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Kids, Awards

Kelli Christine O’Hara, an acclaimed American actress and singer, is celebrated for her exceptional work on Broadway and in opera, earning her a reputation as one of Broadway’s leading ladies.

She has garnered eight Tony Award nominations, winning Best Actress in a Musical in 2015 for her role as Anna Leonowens in The King and I.

Her versatile career spans stage, television, and film, with notable appearances in The Gilded Age, The Accidental Wolf, and The Hours at the Metropolitan Opera. O’Hara’s powerful vocal performances and emotive acting have made her a standout figure in musical theater and beyond.

Profile

• Full Name: Kelli Christine O’Hara
• Stage Name: Kelli O’Hara
• Born: April 16, 1976
• Age: 49 years old
• Birthplace: Elk City, Oklahoma, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Singer
• Height: 5’4″
• Parents: Patrick O’Hara
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Greg Naughton (married 2007)
• Children: Owen James, Charlotte
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Kelli Christine O’Hara was born on April 16, 1976, in Elk City, Oklahoma, to parents whose father’s name is Patrick O’Hara, while details about her mother’s identity is unknown.

Raised in a working farm environment, she developed a strong work ethic, with early experiences like “chopping cotton” to remove weeds from fields. Information about her siblings is unavailable.

O’Hara graduated from Deer Creek High School and later attended Oklahoma City University, earning a bachelor’s degree in music with a focus on vocal performance and opera. She studied under renowned vocal coach Florence Birdwell, who also mentored Kristin Chenoweth. Of Irish American descent, her religion is not publicly disclosed.

Career

Kelli Christine O’Hara began her career in musical theater, making her Broadway debut in 2000 as a replacement in Jekyll & Hyde.

Her early roles included Young Hattie Walker and Young Phyllis Rogers Stone in the 2001 Broadway revival of Follies, followed by Susan Hunsecker in Sweet Smell of Success (2002) and Lucy Westenra in Dracula, the Musical (2004).

Her breakout came with the 2005 Broadway production of The Light in the Piazza as Clara Johnson, earning her first Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her early success was bolstered by winning the Oklahoma State Metropolitan Opera Competition in 1998, which prompted her move to New York City to study at the Lee Strasberg Institute.

O’Hara’s career soared with starring roles in major Broadway productions, including The Pajama Game (2006), South Pacific (2008), Nice Work If You Can Get It (2012), and The Bridges of Madison County (2014), each earning her Tony Award nominations.

Her defining achievement came in 2015 when she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Anna Leonowens in The King and I, a role she reprised in London’s West End, earning an Olivier Award nomination.

She made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2014 as Valencienne in The Merry Widow and later starred as Despina in Così fan tutte (2018) and Laura Brown in The Hours (2022, 2024). Her television credits include The Gilded Age, 13 Reasons Why, and an Emmy-nominated role in The Accidental Wolf (2017).

O’Hara remains a prominent figure in theater and television, with a critically acclaimed performance in the 2024 Broadway musical Days of Wine and Roses, earning her Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, plus an eighth Tony nomination.

She continues to perform in concerts, including upcoming 2025 engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra alongside Sutton Foster. Her work on HBO’s The Gilded Age Season 3 and her frequent appearances with the New York Philharmonic and PBS telecasts highlight her ongoing influence.

O’Hara’s ability to seamlessly transition between Broadway, opera, and screen underscores her versatility and enduring legacy in the performing arts.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @kelliohara
• Facebook Handle: Kelli O’Hara
• Twitter Handle: @kelliohara

Personal Life

Kelli Christine O’Hara has been married to Greg Naughton, a musician with The Sweet Remains and son of actor James Naughton, since July 28, 2007. The couple has two children: Owen James, born in 2009, and Charlotte, born in 2013.

O’Hara maintains a private personal life, balancing her demanding career with family life in coastal Connecticut.

Filmography

• The Gilded Age (2022–present) – Aurora Fane
• The Accidental Wolf (2017) – Katie Bonner
• 13 Reasons Why (2017) – Jackie
• All the Bright Places (2020) – Sheryl
• Peter Pan Live! (2014) – Mrs. Darling
• Masters of Sex (2016) – Dody
• Sex & the City 2 (2010) – Herself
• The Key to Reserva (2007) – Grace Thorn

Discography

• Wonder in the World (2008)
• Always (2011)
• Broadway Cast Recordings: The Pajama Game (2006), South Pacific (2008)
• The King and I (2015)
• Days of Wine and Roses (2024)

Net Worth

Kelli Christine O’Hara’s estimated net worth is $5 million USD, primarily derived from her successful career in Broadway, opera, and television. Her income stems from starring roles in high-profile productions like The King and I and Days of Wine and Roses, as well as her work in television series such as The Gilded Age.