Chandra Wilson plays Miranda Bailey

Chandra Wilson was born in Houston, Texas, on August 27, 1969.

She started her theater career at the age of five as a member of Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). She attended Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and went on to the Tisch School of Arts at New York University. She earned a BFA in drama and has an enjoyed a successful stage, TV and film career since.

Chandra’s first regular series role was on “Bob Patterson” (2001). She has guest starred on Law & Order, Sex & The City, The Sopranos and other hit series. On stage, she is best known for her portrayal of Bonna Willis in the production of “The Good Times are Killing Me” by Lynda Barry. She played this part at both at the Second Stage and Minetta Lane Theatres, and won a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance.

Other stage credits include “Paper Moon: The Musical” at the Papermill Playhouse, “The Family of Mann” by Theresa Rebeck, “Believing” for the Young Playwright’s Festival and the Broadway production of “On the Town” directed by George C. Wolfe.

Wilson has three children; daughter Serena (born 1992), daughter Joy (born 1994), and son Michael (born 2005). While she was pregnant with Michael, her character on Grey’s Anatomy, Miranda Bailey, was also pregnant.