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A great actress known for roles such as Katherine in The Birdcage and Tanya in Mamma Mia is of Polish descent! The New York-born Christine Baranski, who appeared in many great films, series and plays, is a daughter of Polish couple.
Christine Baranski is an American actress of Polish descent born in Buffalo (NY) on 2 May 1952. Her grandparents, who were Polish, worked in one of the Polish theatres. Christine’s parents were Virginia Mazurowski and Lucien Baranski, a journalist and publisher of the Polish-American press.
She made her Off-Broadway debut in 1980 in the play Coming Attractions. That same year, she also made her first appearance on Broadway.
Baranski has had an extensive career in the film industry, starring in such titles as The Birdcage (1996), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Chicago (2002) and The Ref (1994). She was also seen in Mamma Mia!(2008) and its sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), for which she received further recognition.
Baranski made a name for herself as Maryann Thorpe in the CBS sitcom Cybill, where she portrayed Shepherd’s sarcastic, hard-drinking friend. During its run from 1995 to 1998, she hosted Saturday Night Live. She also was awarded an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, as well as three other nominations.
In the video below of The Martha Steward Show. Christine Baranski was invited in 2005 and you can listen to “Polish Christmas” at Baranski’s house (from about minute 7/8).