Legendary Broadway Star Sondra Lee, Icon of “Hello, Dolly!”, Passes Away at 97

Lee died of natural causes on Monday night in her apartment in New York City.

Her passing was confirmed by Joshua Ellis, a former Broadway press agent and her longtime associate.

Lee earned acclaim for her portrayal of Tiger Lily alongside Mary Martin in “Peter Pan” and for originating the role of Minnie Fay in the inaugural production of “Hello, Dolly!”

The thespian was best known for playing Tiger Lily opposite Mary Martin in Peter Pan and she also originated the character Minnie Fay in the original production of Hello, Dolly!

The blonde worked with and befriended several A-list Hollywood stars.

She acted with Robert Redford, Angela Lansbury and Betty Grable, and even coached Jane Fonda and Amy Adams. And she popped up in the 1960 film La Dolce Vita with Anita Ekberg.

Broadway actress Sondra Lee has died at 97. Lee passed away from natural causes in her New York City apartment on Monday evening; seen in 1964

Lee grew up in New Jersey and studied ballet in Carnegie Hall with Vera Nemtchinova.

At the start of her acting career in New Jersey, she spent time with Buddy Hackett, Red Buttons, Jack Carter and Joey Adams. 

When she moved to New York City she learned from Maureen Stapleton and Marlon Brando, who turned out to be a longtime friend.

In the 1950s she worked in Europe on La Revue des Ballets de Paris and Ballets: U.S.A. troupe in Spoleto, Florence.

She performed in a NBC production of Hansel and Gretel in 1958.

Federico Fellini cast her as an American ballerina in the final party scene of the 1960 film La Dolce Vita.

Lee then went back to Broadway to work on Hotel Paradiso starring Bert Lahr and Angela Lansbury.

An she costarred with Robert Redford on Sunday In New York.

The announcement was made by her colleague Joshua Ellis, a former Broadway press agent

Carol Channing, Eileen Brennan and Lee (left to right) sing Motherhood during the Hello, Dolly! cast recording in New York in 1964

The talent seen here at PALEYLIVE NY: A Centennial Salute to Jerome Robbins: Jerome Robbins in 2018

She then started working as a coach as she helped Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Amy Adams. And she consulted on Places in the Heart, The Last of the Mohicans and The Morning After.

Lee made her final public appearance at Carnegie Hall on June 23, 2025, during the Transport Group’s Hello, Dolly! In Concert. 

Her 2009 memoir, I’ve Slept with Everybody: A Memoir, Lee chronicled 50 years of show business.

A celebration of Lee’s life and career will take place sometime in 2026.