What is known about actress Idina Menzel?

Answer 1

Family background, education and experience are what is known about Idina Menzel, one of two leading actresses from the musical "Wicked."

Specifically, the actress' full name is Idina Kim Menzel. Her birthdate is May 30, 1971, and her birthplace is Queens, New York. She is the elder of the two daughters of salesman Stuart Mentzel and his wife, Helene, a therapist.

Part of the actress' elementary school education is from New Jersey schools in Marlboro Township and part in Syosset, New York. She is a high school graduate and a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Her rigorous training is supplemented by practical experience as a wedding and bar mitzvah singer since the age of 15.

Her first hugely successful stage part dates back to 1996 as part of the original Broadway cast for "Rent." This is also the role through which she met her subsequent husband, Taye Diggs. The actress and her actor-husband have a son and share space with three much beloved pets: one dog and two cats.

One of her many beloved roles is as the green-skinned witch Elphaba Thropp in the ground-breaking, award-winning musical "Wicked," 2003-2005. Her career includes acting in film and television and on the stage as well as singing.