Karen Akers, born October 13, 1945, in New York City, was an American actress and singer. She began her professional career in 1970, performing in supper clubs in Washington. Her breakthrough came when Christian Blackwood invited her to tape a program for German television in Hamburg, which was later broadcast in the United States on PBS as Presenting Karen Akers. Akers made her Broadway debut in the original production of Nine (1982), directed by Tommy Tune, and won a Theatre World Award for her performance. She released several albums, including In a Very Unusual Way (1987) and Just Imagine... (1994). Akers appeared in films such as Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo and Heartburn. Her discography includes a cover song, "Sooner or Later" from her 1991 album Unchained Melodies, a song written for Madonna by Stephen Sondheim.
