Audra McDonald | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Multiple Tony winning actress Audra McDonald, also known for her work on Private Practice, has opened up about attempting to take her own life while in college.

“When I was [in college] at Julliard, I had a suicide attempt,” the 44-year-old actress said on an episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers. “I tried to slit my wrist.”

“When someone is suicidal, one of the first things you have to do is to protect them from themselves,” Audra discussed. “They had a mental health facilitator there, a therapist there and they checked me into a mental health hospital where I was for a month and got me the help I needed.”

“Julliard was like… ‘We think that that musical theater thing is more for you anyway. That seems to be where you’re the happiest,’” Audra said (she studied classical voice, not musical theater, at the prestigious school). “I went out and did ‘Secret Garden’ and then I came back and finished Julliard.”

James Franco cuddles with an adorable kitten at the 16th Annual Broadway Barks event on Saturday night (July 13) in New York City.

The 36-year-old actor posed with Bernadette Peters who founded the event with Mary Tyler Moore.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of James Franco

At the event, James was joined by Audra McDonald, Zach Braff, Norm Lewis and Justin Guarini.

Broadway Barks is a dog and cat adoption event featuring celebrities from Broadway to benefit New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. Such a good cause!

15+ pictures inside of James Franco and Zach Braff with animals…More Here! »

Audra McDonald hits the red carpet with her husband Will Swenson before winning at the 2014 Tony Awards on Sunday (June 8) in New York City.

The 43-year-old actress won the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her work in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.

Audra made history that evening as she is the first person to receive six acting Tony Awards and also the first person to win an award in each leading and featured category. Congratulations, Audra!

FYI: Audra is wearing Escada.

More Here! »

Neil Patrick Harris, Audra McDonald, and Bryan Cranston show off their shiny new trophies in the press room at the 2014 Drama Desk Awards on Sunday evening (June 1) in New York City.

Also joining the trio in the press room were fellow winners, The Glass Menagerie‘s Celia Keenan-Bolger and Aladdin‘s James Monroe Iglehart. Congrats to all the winners! Also attending the show that evening was the host Laura Benanti and Audra‘s husband Will Swenson.

Next week is the 2014 Tony Awards on June 8 – be sure to stay tuned to JustJared.com for all the Broadway updates!

15+ pictures inside of the winners of the 2014 Drama Desk Awards… More Here! »

Audra McDonald stars in this hilariously awkward scene to kick off the latest episode of the web-series Submissions Only, provided exclusively to JustJared.com.

The five-time Tony-winning actress plays a director who can’t seem to get her foot out of her mouth when a pitiable actor comes in to audition for her.

Submissions Only follows a group of friends as they navigate the trips and falls, callbacks and train-wrecks experienced while working in this glorious business we call show.

Watch the clip below and also make sure to check out Audra in her Tony-nominated performance in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill on Broadway now!

Click inside to watch the trailer for this episode… More Here! »

Idina Menzel steps out in all black to celebrate her nomination at the 2014 Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Reception held at the Paramount Hotel on Wednesday (April 30) in New York City.

The 42-year-old Best Actress in a Musical nominee for her work in If/Then was joined by fellow nominees Sutton Foster, Woody Allen, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Audra McDonald, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Anika Noni Rose, Kelli O’Hara, Andy Karl, Sarah Greene, Tony Shalhoub, and many more!

Check out the complete list of all the 2014 Tony Award nominees, including which category everyone is nominated within!

FYI: Idina is wearing an Ambali jacket, Valentine Gaulthier blouse, Helmut Lang pants, Stuart Weitzman heels, an Alibi ring, and Monika Knutsson earrings.

35+ pictures inside of some of the lucky Tony Award nominees at the press reception…More Here! »

Audra McDonald takes her bow in character as Billie Holiday for the opening night performance of her Broadway play Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill on Sunday (April 13) at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City.

There were tons of celebs that showed up to witness the performance including Marisa Tomei, TR Knight, Christine Baranski, Anika Noni Rose, and Broadway stars Sierra Boggess, Nikki M. James, Adam Jacobs, and Courtney Reed.

Audra‘s husband Will Swenson also showed up to give his support.

Head on over to LadyDayonBroadway.com for ticket information right now. The play is only running through June 1!

25+ pictures inside of Audra McDonald and others celebrating the opening night… More Here! »