Broadway Legend Sondra Lee Dies at 97
She was in the original casts of two of the Great White Way's most beloved shows
February 25, 2026
Broadway legend Sondra Lee died at 97 Monday in NYC, according to her friend the Rev. Joshua Ellis.
Ellis wrote on Facebook Wednesday:
“LOSING A FRIEND IS HEART-BREAKING.
“The extraordinary Sondra Lee passed away on Monday night, February 23 in her Manhattan penthouse at the age of 97.
“Writing her obituary was an act of love.
“Yes, Sondra, ‘We’ll meet again. Don’t know where. Don’t know when. But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.’
“You brought sunshine to the world.”
Her career spanned nine decades, in which she danced, actor, taught, wrote and painted.
Her Broadway career began in 1947.
Most famously, she co-created the role of Tiger Lily, originating the role in the first production of Peter Pan in 1954. The show was such a phenomenon it was filmed for TV and seen by 65M.
Another Broadway accomplishment — she created the role of Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly! (1964).
She also appeared in a party scene in the 1960 film classic La Dolce Vita.
The gregarious performer was a fixture in NYC until recently, making her final public appearance less than a year ago at Carnegie Hall for Hello, Dolly! In Concert.
Pick up her 2009 book I’ve Slept with Everybody: A Memoir if you need an antidote to all those sterile tell-some autobiographies.⚡️