Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Winning Actress Rachel Bay Jones Of ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career in TV & Film
…Oh gosh, just love each other. Just love every single person and thing you come across, and keep pushing that love out there. We need it more than ever right now, and it brings blessings back tenfold…
I had the pleasure of talking with Rachel Bay Jones. Rachel is an acclaimed American actress and singer known for her work across theater, television, and film. With a career spanning decades, she has garnered widespread recognition for her performances, particularly on Broadway, where she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Heidi Hansen in the hit musical Dear Evan Hansen. Over the years, she has steadily expanded her reach, adding Emmy and Grammy Awards to her achievements, making her one of the few performers to have won three of the four major American entertainment awards.
Born in New York City, Jones grew up in a family steeped in the performing arts. Both of her parents were Shakespearean actors, and her early exposure to their work helped shape her understanding of the craft. The family later relocated to Puerto Rico and Florida, where her upbringing was a blend of theatrical influence and an adventurous childhood. Her parents eventually left show business to open health food stores, but the echoes of Shakespearean dialogue in the household left a lasting impact on Jones.
Though her early interests lay more in reading and science than acting, Jones found herself drawn to the stage at the age of 12. A chance opportunity to audition for a play alongside her mother marked the beginning of her acting career. Jones secured the role a moment that would ultimately ignite her passion for performance. From there, Jones began pursuing acting seriously, refining her skills and cultivating a unique voice that would come to define her later success.
Jones made her Broadway debut in the 2009 revival of Hair, followed by a role in the 2013 production of Pippin, in which she portrayed Catherine. However, it was her performance in Dear Evan Hansen that would solidify her status as one of the most versatile and emotionally resonant actors in theater. Her portrayal of Heidi Hansen, a single mother struggling to connect with her son, was widely praised for its depth and vulnerability. The role earned Jones the 2017 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, shared with the cast. In 2020, she received an Emmy Award for her performance in a televised production of Dear Evan Hansen, further cementing her reputation as a formidable talent.
In addition to her theater work, Jones has also made significant strides in television and film. She has appeared in shows like Modern Family and Young Sheldon, and in 2023, she took on a starring role in the CBS sitcom Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage. In the series, a spinoff of Young Sheldon, Jones portrays Audrey McAllister, the overbearing mother of Mandy, played by Emily Osment. As the character of Audrey, Jones brings her comic timing and dramatic expertise to a role that is equal parts maddening and hilarious, showcasing her range as an actor. The series, created by Chuck Lorre, premiered in October 2023 and has already garnered positive reviews for its humor and heartfelt storytelling.
Jones’s move to television represents a relatively new chapter in her career, as she continues to explore different mediums and expand her repertoire. Her transition to Los Angeles marks a strategic shift as she forges new opportunities in the entertainment industry. In interviews, she has expressed excitement about the possibilities ahead, while also reflecting on the unique challenges that come with balancing stage and screen performances. For Jones, the multi-camera format of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, filmed in front of a live studio audience, offers a dynamic combination of theater and television — a world where she feels right at home.
Jones credits her family and early experiences for her achievements. She speaks fondly of her parents, who supported her career from the start, and her husband, actor Benim Foster, who has been a steady source of encouragement throughout her journey. Her humility and down-to-earth personality are reflected in the way she approaches her work. Whether on stage or screen, Jones is known for her dedication to her craft, always striving to bring authenticity and emotional truth to her performances.
Beyond acting, Jones has taken part in various film projects, including the upcoming release Bob Trevino Likes It, which is set to hit theaters in early 2025. Directed by Tracie Laymon and co-starring John Leguizamo, the film has been well-received at film festivals and is anticipated to make a splash upon its wide release. The project is one of several in which Jones continues to branch out into film work, further broadening her already impressive career. As she continues to push her boundaries, audiences can expect to see much more from Rachel Bay Jones, whose talent and passion for storytelling remain as strong as ever.
Yitzi: Rachel, it’s an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Rachel: I grew up mostly in Puerto Rico and Florida. My parents moved from New York. I was born in New York City. My parents were actors — Shakespearean actors. They met during Shakespeare in Stratford. Then they quit show business when I was born and opened health food stores. So, I was kind of a shy kid. I had these big personalities as a mom and dad. And then, when I was about 12 years old — are you looking for how I got into the business?
Yitzi: We like to hear about the kind of culture that produced such talent.
Rachel: Well, it would be a couple of parents who quoted Shakespeare freely around the house. I thought they spoke like this all the time, especially when they were upset with me or wanted to teach me something. So, I think I learned — I was just around acting all the time. I didn’t recognize it as such, but I was. One of the places we lived was in Florida, in Boca Raton, in the early ’80s when it was still being developed. Dad built a house out near the swamp. The backyard was a canal, and on the other side was the Loxahatchee Swamp. Alligators ate all the neighbor’s dogs e. It was a really interesting childhood. So, right to theater, you know.
Yitzi: So let’s hear the next part of the story. What led you to this successful career as a multi-hyphenate talent?
Rachel: Well, my parents went back to acting when I was about 11 or 12 years old. And it was amazing — I always knew them as mom and dad, and then, all of a sudden, I got to see them on stage, and they’re really good. They were forces of nature. But I was really shy. I just loved to read and wanted to be a scientist. I loved nature. I never thought I’d want to be an actor like them. They had big personalities, and I didn’t.
But one day, my mom was doing aerobics in the living room — this was the ’80s, mind you — and she had a script open on the kitchen counter for a play she was going to audition for. I picked up the script and saw that there was a part for a 12-year-old girl, and I was 12. So, out of nowhere, I said, “Oh, I could play this part.” My mom got really excited, and she was like, “Yes, you can! I’m going to mold you.”
So, they gave me a crash course in acting. My Nana made me an outfit for the audition, and I went with my mom. She auditioned, I auditioned, and I got the part — and she didn’t. And that woman had to drive me to play practice. God bless her. So, I guess you could say I was bitten by the bug.
Yitzi: That’s a great story. Did you ever sense any tiny bit of resentment from her because of that?
Rachel: Well, I don’t know if it was resentment. They’ve always been very, very excited for me and proud of me. There were a few times when my mom would come see me do something and say, “Oh, I always wanted to play that role,” you know, that kind of thing. But I think it was more of a shared experience with them.
Yitzi: You probably have so many amazing stories from different parts of your career. You’ve won a Grammy, Tony, and Emmy. Can you share with us one or two of your favorite stories from your professional career?
Rachel: There are so many. You know, you mentioned winning the awards, and the Tony Award — winning a Tony was something I never imagined for myself. I wasn’t one of those people who grew up practicing my speech in front of the mirror for all the awards I was going to win. I just never thought that would happen for me. So, when I got nominated for Dear Evan Hansen, this deep fear came over me. I’m not really an attention seeker, and I became paralyzed with fear at the thought that I might win, because if I won, it meant I’d have to go up on stage at Radio City Music Hall in front of thousands of people, on broadcast television, and make a speech as Rachel. That thought was paralyzingly terrifying.
When you get nominated, they tell you to write your speech in advance, so you’re prepared if you win. But every time I tried to write something, I would imagine having to walk up on stage and say it, and I’d have a panic attack. We got to about four days before the awards, and my husband Benim was like, “Honey, we need to write this speech. Let me help you.” And I kept saying, “No, no, no.” I had all these scraps of paper, but eventually, I just crumpled them up and threw them away.
On the night of the awards, he brought this tiny little folded-up piece of paper with reminders, just in case. When I was sitting there, and they called my name as the winner, it was the craziest thing, Yitzi. All of a sudden, I thought, “This is insane.” I was in my late 40s at the time, and I kept thinking, “How is it that at this point in my life, this is where I’ve ended up?”
And then, this deep serenity just came over me. I walked fairly gracefully to the stage — I was so afraid of falling on my face. I was sure that was going to happen as I walked up the stairs, but I hiked up my big dress like a farmer and clomped up there in my fancy platform shoes and gown. Benim handed me the piece of paper with speech notes on it like, “Don’t forget, don’t forget.” But I didn’t need it. It was just this outpouring of gratitude and love. I felt surrounded by blessings and friends. It was really special.
Yitzi: That’s an amazing story. I really appreciate you sharing that. You have so much going on with so many exciting projects. Can you share with our readers the latest thing you’re involved with, what you’re working on now, and what you’ll be working on in the near future?
Rachel: Well, hopefully, I’ll be working on this for a long time. I’m so excited about Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, the new sitcom on CBS that debuts on October 17th. It’s so funny and full of heart. I’m playing a character that’s very different for me. She’s a mother who cares deeply about her family but doesn’t realize that the things she says or her methods of taking care of everyone aren’t always well received. It’ll be really interesting to watch how this unfolds, and I think everyone else will enjoy it too. I’m super proud and so grateful to be part of this incredible show. The writing is so good. I think fans of Young Sheldon will love watching these characters grow.
Also, a film I did with John Leguizamo, directed and written by Tracie Laymon, Bob Trevino Likes It, just got a big distribution deal and has been doing great at film festivals around the world. It’s set for a major release in theaters in January, which is really exciting. I’m thrilled about that project too.
Yitzi: So you’ve also been involved with Modern Family. How would you contrast this new show with Modern Family? How is it different?
Rachel: Well, the style of it is very different, obviously. What’s exciting for me is that this is the first time I’ve done what they call a multi-camera comedy, which is filmed in front of a live studio audience. Even with all the theater, TV, and film I’ve done, I’ve never combined those two worlds, and it’s wonderful. Working in the Chuck Lorre world, alongside Steve Molaro, Steve Holland, and our director Mark Cendrowski, they’ve put together an incredible crew and team. It feels just like the way I used to feel doing theater, where you get close, and it becomes like a family instantly. They’ve really created that. And having the audience there is electrifying.
Obviously, my roles in Modern Family and this new show are very different. My Modern Family character was a lot sexier and more delicious than Audrey McAllister in Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage. But who knows? Maybe we’ll get there!
Yitzi: This is our final, aspirational question. So, Rachel, because of your great work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Rachel: Oh gosh, just love each other. Just love every single person and thing you come across, and keep pushing that love out there. We need it more than ever right now, and it brings blessings back tenfold.
Yitzi: How can the readers continue to follow your work? How can they watch Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage? How can they support you in any way?
Rachel: Oh gosh, be nice to each other. That’s how you can support me. Be kind to each other, and watch Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage. You can follow me on Instagram too. I’m really excited to share all of this work with the fans and so grateful.
Yitzi: Rachel, it’s really a blessing to meet you. I hope we can do this again next year, and I’m sure the show is going to be amazing.
Rachel: I hope so too. Thank you. It’s so nice to meet you.
Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Winning Actress Rachel Bay Jones Of ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ On… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.