From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Debra Monk born February 27 1949 is an American actress singer and writer best known for her performances on the Broadway stage Monk has received a Tony Award and Emmy Awards Monk was born in Middletown Ohio She was voted best personality by the graduating class at Wheaton High School in Silver SpringMaryland She graduated from Frostburg State University in 1973 In 1975 Monk received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas Monk garnered first attention in theatrical circles as one of the cowriters and costars of the 1982 musical Pump Boys and Dinettes She has won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for performance in Redwood Curtain 1993 She also was nominated an Tony Award for roles in Picnic 1994 Steel Pier 1997 and Curtains 2007 In 2000 she has won Obie Award for The Time of the Cuckoo Monk has appeared in over 30 films as of early 1990s She made her film debut in the movie version of Prelude to a Kiss playing Aunt Dorothy She later appeared in The Bridges of Madison County and The Devils Advocate On television she has won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for recurring performance as Katie Sipowicz in the ABC series NYPD Blue She also gueststarred on Law Order Desperate Housewives The Closer and Girls Monk had a recurring roles in A Nero Wolfe Mystery 20012002 Greys Anatomy 20062011 and Damages 20072012