Regina Spektor is a Russian-born American singer-songwriter and pianist. She was born in Moscow, USSR, to a musical Jewish family. Her father, Ilya Spektor, is a photographer and violinist. Her mother, Bella Spektor, was a music professor in a Russian college of music and now teaches at a public elementary school in New York. Spektor learned how to play piano by practicing on a Petrof upright that was given to her mother by her grandfather. The family left the Soviet Union in 1989 due to the ethnic and political discrimination which Jews faced; Regina was nine and had to leave her piano behind. The family settled in the Bronx, New York, where Spektor graduated in Fair Lawn public high school. She gradually achieved recognition through performances in the anti-folk scene in downtown New York City, most importantly at the East Village's Sidewalk Cafe. She sold self-produced CDs at her performances during this period: 11:11 (2001) and Songs (2002). Her other album, Soviet Kitsch (2004), was also self-produced, but Sire and Shoplifter Records help produce the album, while Sire records completely produced begin to Hope (2006). Regina Spektor is best known for her real lyrics that are supported by her completely recognizable and unique voice.
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
Guest starring as Regina Spektor
(3 episodes)
- Episode 2020-08-18: Senator Elizabeth Warren, Regina Spektor (Live Show) (Aug 18, 2020)
- Episode 2018-08-06: Chris Hayes, Rob Corddry, Regina Spektor (Aug 6, 2018)
- Episode 2016-09-27: Sean Penn; Sutton Foster; Regina Spektor (Sep 27, 2016)
Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014)
Guest starring as Regina Spektor
(3 episodes)
- Episode 2023-02-08: Judd Hirsch, Justice Smith, Regina Spektor (Feb 8, 2023)
- Episode 2019-06-13: Andy Cohen, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Regina Spektor (Jun 13, 2019)
- Episode 2017-02-27: Matthew Broderick, David Boreanaz, Regina Spektor, Vinnie Colaiuta (Feb 27, 2017)
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001)
Guest starring as Regina Spektor
- Episode 12x08: Eddie Izzard, Janice Dickinson, John Barrowman & Andrew Lloyd Webber, Regina Spektor (May 18, 2007)
Loose Women (1999)
Guest starring as Regina Spektor
- Episode 11x39: 08/03/07 - Warren Baker, Trudie Goodwin, Greg Rusedski, Regina Spektor (Mar 8, 2007)
Saturday Night Live (1975)
Guest starring as Regina Spektor
- Episode 35x03: Drew Barrymore / Regina Spektor (Oct 10, 2009)
Crew Credits
Central Park (2020)
Show crew as Music
(2 episodes)
- Episode 3x09: A Killer Deadline (Oct 21, 2022)
- Episode 2x07: A Decent Proposal (Jul 23, 2021)