Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Blyth Katherine Danner |
| Date of Birth | February 3, 1943 |
| Place of Birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Ancestry | Predominantly German (Swiss‑German, Alsatian), English, Irish; one great‑grandmother from Barbados |
| Education | George School (1960); B.A. in Acting, Bard College |
| Spouse | Bruce Paltrow (m. 1969 – his death 2002) |
| Children | Gwyneth Paltrow (b. 1972); Jake Paltrow (b. 1975) |
| Grandchildren | Apple Martin (b. 2004); Moses Martin (b. 2006) |
| Meditation Practice | Transcendental Meditation since the 1970s |
| Professional Recognition | Tony Award (1970); Emmy Awards (2004–06) |
Early Life & Education
Blyth Katherine Danner was born in Philadelphia on February 3, 1943, to Katharine (née Kile) and Harry Earl Danner, a bank executive. In adjacent Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, she was raised by Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors from the early 1600s. Danner graduated from the Quaker boarding George School in 1960 and earned her BA in acting from Bard College, where she worked in summer stock and classical theater.
Family & Personal Relationships
Danner is related to: parents Katharine and Harry Earl Danner, brother Harry Danner (opera singer and actor), sister, and maternal half-brother William, whose daughter is actress Katherine Moennig, Danner’s niece. Danner married producer–director Bruce Paltrow in 1969, an interfaith union that lasted until his 2002 oral cancer death. Their children include Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow (born 1972) and director Jake Paltrow (born 1975). As a grandma, she enjoys time with Apple (2004) and Moses Martin (2006). Since the 1970s, Danner has practiced Transcendental Meditation to maintain her creativity and tenacity.
Stage, Film & Television Career
Stage Foundations
- Professional debut in Boston theater (1967-1969); Off-Broadway performances in Mata Hari (1967) and Summertree (1968).
- 1968–1969: Theatre World Award-winning Broadway roles in Cyrano de Bergerac and The Miser.
- 1970: Won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for Butterflies Are Free.
Film Highlights
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 1776 | Martha Jefferson |
| 1979 | The Great Santini | Mrs. Leary |
| 1991 | The Prince of Tides | Lila Wingo |
| 2003 | Sylvia | Aunt Ida |
| 2000, 2004, 2010 | Meet the Parents trilogy | Dina Byrnes |
Danner has appeared in dramas and comedies alongside Woody Allen, including Another Woman, Alice, and Husbands and Wives. She will reprise Dina Byrnes in the fourth Meet the Parents film, scheduled for early 2026 principal photography.
Television Accolades
- 2001–2006; 2018–2020: Recurring role as Marilyn Truman on Will & Grace (Emmy nomination).
- 2004–2006: Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Huff.
- Recent Work: Guest appearances on American Gods and voice role in Netflix’s Ridley Jones.
Activism, Health Advocacy & Public Influence
Environmental & Conservation Efforts
Danner has supported environmental concerns for almost 40 years with INFORM, Inc., Environmental Advocates of New York, and the Environmental Media Association board. Her recycling and conservation leadership earned her the EMA Commitment Award in 2002.
Oral Cancer Advocacy
By 2020, Daner reached full remission from adenoid cystic carcinoma, the same illness that killed her spouse, after three surgeries. She also produces national public service advertisements for the mouth Cancer Foundation promoting routine mouth checkups for early detection.
Social Media Presence & Public Engagement
| Platform | Handle | Followers | Content Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| @blythe.danner | ~430 | Personal reflections, quotes, behind‑the‑scenes | |
| Blythe Danner | 650+ likes | Career retrospectives, archival photos | |
| — | Rare posts | Live Q&As with theater/environmental groups |
Danner shares five Instagram posts annually and moderately on Facebook. She rarely tweets but occasionally joins arts and environmental groups for live talks.
Recent Projects & Appearances
| Date | Project / Event |
|---|---|
| June 2025 | People magazine profile for her 82nd birthday |
| January 2025 | Panel host on women’s longevity at Sundance Film Festival |
| Early 2026 | Principal photography begins for Meet the Parents 4 |
She discussed job longevity in a People magazine piece in June 2025. Danner guest-hosted a Sundance Film Festival session on women’s longevity in Hollywood in January 2025. In Meet the Parents 4, she will play Dina Byrnes with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, with Ariana Grande joining the ensemble.
FAQ
What roles did Blyth Danner win major awards for?
She won a Tony Award in 1970 for Butterflies Are Free and two Emmys (2004–06) for Huff.
When and where was she born?
She was born on February 3, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Who are her children and grandchildren?
Paltrow has two children, Gwyneth (b.1972) and Jake (b.1975), and two grandchildren, Apple (b.2004) and Moses Martin (b.2006).
What is her meditation practice?
She has practiced Transcendental Meditation since the 1970s.
Which environmental awards has she received?
She received the EMA Commitment Award in 2002 for her work in recycling and conservation.
When was she diagnosed with cancer and what is her role now?
Diagnosed in March 2018, she is now a spokesperson for the Oral Cancer Foundation.
What upcoming film will she appear in?
She is set to reprise her role in Meet the Parents 4, with filming planned for early 2026.
