7 Shocking Facts About Judith Light: Uncovering Angela Bower’s Current Age And Enduring Legacy

For fans of classic 80s television, the question of "Angela Who's the Boss? age" is a search query that leads directly to the phenomenal career of actress Judith Light. As of today, December 10, 2025, Judith Light, the powerhouse who portrayed the sophisticated advertising executive Angela Bower, is 76 years old and continues to be one of the most active and acclaimed stars in Hollywood, proving that age is truly just a number. Her recent projects, including a major role in the 2024 Apple TV+ thriller *Before* and a prestigious jury presidency for a 2025 festival, highlight a career that has only grown more significant since her sitcom days. The enduring popularity of the sitcom *Who’s the Boss?* (1984–1992) means that the show’s central dynamic—the cultured, career-driven Angela Bower hiring the charming, domestic Tony Micelli—remains a pop culture touchstone. While the show is a nostalgic favorite, Judith Light’s post-sitcom career has been anything but a throwback, earning her two Tony Awards and multiple Emmy nominations for her dramatic work, cementing her status as a true acting legend.

Judith Light: Full Biography and Career Profile (Angela Bower)

The woman behind the iconic character Angela Bower is Judith Ellen Light, a celebrated actress known for her versatility across stage and screen. Her journey from daytime soap opera star to primetime sitcom lead, and then to a dramatic powerhouse, is a masterclass in career reinvention.

• Full Name: Judith Ellen Light
• Date of Birth: February 9, 1949
• Current Age (as of December 10, 2025): 76 years old
• Place of Birth: Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
• Education: Carnegie Mellon University (Drama Degree)
• Spouse: Robert Desiderio (m. 1985)
• Breakthrough Role (Daytime): Karen Wolek on *One Life to Live* (1977–1983)
• Iconic Sitcom Role: Angela Bower on *Who’s the Boss?* (1984–1992)
• Major Awards: Two Tony Awards, two Daytime Emmy Awards, multiple Primetime Emmy nominations.
• Recent Notable Projects: *Transparent*, *The Politician*, *American Crime Story*, *Before* (2024), *Out of My Mind* (2024).

Light’s career began with a bang in the late 1970s when she took on the role of Karen Wolek on the soap opera *One Life to Live*. Her performance, particularly a harrowing courtroom testimony about her character's secret life as a prostitute, is considered one of the most memorable moments in daytime television history, earning her two Daytime Emmy Awards. This dramatic foundation was the surprising springboard to her comedic success as Angela Bower, the successful, single mother and advertising executive who hired Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) as her live-in housekeeper in *Who's the Boss?*

The Post-Sitcom Transformation: From Comedy to Critical Acclaim

Following the conclusion of *Who’s the Boss?* in 1992, Judith Light made a deliberate and highly successful pivot to serious dramatic roles, particularly on the stage. This move allowed her to shed the "sitcom star" label and establish herself as a formidable theatrical presence.

A Broadway Star is Reborn: The Tony Award Era

Light’s commitment to the stage is arguably the most significant part of her later career, elevating her status among her peers. Her return to Broadway was met with overwhelming critical praise.

• *Other Desert Cities* (2011): Light won her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Silda Grauman, a recovering alcoholic with a sharp wit.
• *The Assembled Parties* (2013): She followed this up with a second consecutive Tony Award for her portrayal of the complex and emotionally fragile Faye.

This back-to-back win is a rare achievement and solidified her as a theatrical powerhouse, proving her dramatic range extended far beyond the light comedy of her time as Angela Bower.

Groundbreaking Television Roles: *Transparent* and *The Politician*

In the realm of television, Light’s willingness to take on challenging, boundary-pushing roles has defined her modern career. Her role as Shelly Pfefferman in the Amazon series *Transparent* earned her multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. The show, which focused on a family dealing with the revelation that their parent is transgender, was a cultural phenomenon, and Light’s performance was hailed for its depth and emotional honesty. She continued this trend with Ryan Murphy’s political satire *The Politician*, starring as Dede Standish, a powerful, eccentric state senator. These roles, along with her appearances in *American Crime Story* and *Ugly Betty* (as Claire Meade), showcase a profound shift from the traditional sitcom format to complex, prestige television.

Judith Light's Latest Projects: 2024 and 2025 Career Highlights

The notion that an actress in her mid-70s would slow down is clearly not one that applies to Judith Light. Her schedule in 2024 and 2025 is remarkably full, demonstrating her enduring demand in the industry.

New Thrillers and Dramas: *Before* and *Out of My Mind*

In 2024, Judith Light took on two vastly different, high-profile projects. One of the most anticipated was the Apple TV+ horror-drama series *Before*, where she stars alongside Billy Crystal. This project, a psychological thriller, marks a fresh genre for the actress. Additionally, she appeared in the Disney+ coming-of-age comedy *Out of My Mind*, a project that further highlights her range. Her involvement in such diverse and current streaming content proves her relevance to modern audiences and her ability to work with top-tier talent.

A Global Ambassador: Monte-Carlo Television Festival 2025

Further cementing her global standing, Judith Light was announced as the President of the Fiction Jury at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Television Festival. This prestigious role involves overseeing the judging of international fictional television programs, giving her a platform to champion meaningful storytelling and influence the future of global television. This appointment, along with being honored by the Shakespeare Theatre Company in February 2024, showcases her respected status within the arts community.

The Enduring Appeal of Angela Bower and the *Who's the Boss?* Reboot

The character of Angela Bower, the successful, divorced executive who challenged traditional gender roles in the 1980s, was groundbreaking. Her dynamic with Tony Micelli, the male housekeeper, flipped the script on domestic expectations, making the show a quiet pioneer of modern family structures. The entire cast, including Tony Danza (Tony Micelli), Alyssa Milano (Samantha Micelli), Danny Pintauro (Jonathan Bower), and the late Katherine Helmond (Mona Robinson), has remained a close-knit group. The buzz around a potential *Who’s the Boss?* reboot, which would see Tony Micelli and Angela Bower return as grandparents, has been a hot topic for years. While the reboot has faced development challenges, Judith Light has expressed enthusiasm for revisiting the role, provided the story is meaningful and relevant to today's world. Judith Light’s career trajectory is a powerful lesson in reinvention. From the high-stakes drama of *One Life to Live* to the cozy familiarity of *Who’s the Boss?*, and then to the demanding dramatic roles of Broadway and prestige television, she has consistently chosen projects that challenge her and resonate with audiences. At 76, the actress who played Angela Bower is not just a figure of nostalgia; she is a vibrant, working artist whose current projects are as compelling as her past ones. Her legacy is defined not just by the iconic sitcom, but by her unwavering commitment to her craft and her advocacy work, particularly for LGBTQ+ and AIDS awareness causes, making her a true Hollywood icon.