What happened to Bernadette Peters’ husband? All we know as Darren Criss hilariously recalls actress checking him out

Bernadette Peters, the famous Broadway actress, has experienced several devastating losses in her life, including the death of her late husband, Michael Wittenberg.

Peters married investment adviser Michael Wittenberg in July 1996. According to an article by Playbill, they supposedly got married at the home of Peters’ longtime friend and fellow star Mary Tyler Moore. The pair shared a deep passion and love for animal welfare and had adopted two rescue dogs, Stella, a pit bull from the CACC, and Kramer, a mixed terrier from the ASPCA.

Wittenberg, however, died on September 26, 2005, in a helicopter accident during a business trip to Montenegro. He was just 43 years old. According to local news reports, the helicopter hit a high-voltage cable, killing Wittenberg and three other individuals on board.

Bernadette Peters has been single for almost two decades now. Most recently, she appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where she ended up having a humorous discussion with fellow Broadway actor Darren Criss.

Criss, who is best known for playing Blaine in Glee, remembered an encounter with Peters on the red carpet more than a decade ago, where he thought Peters gave him a flirtatious look, which included a double-take and a lick of the lips (Entertainment Weekly).

"I get a full double-take, and she [mouths], 'Who's that?' I get a 'Who's that?' And then I get a full licking of lips and up and down." She said.

Darren Criss reenacted the scene and even called it a great honor to have received such gestures from the industry legend. Bernadette Peters remembered the incident with a laugh, stating that she liked Criss’ version of the story better.

"But, the truth of the matter was, I was thinking, 'Is that the guy from Glee? I was starstruck!" She added.

More about Bernadette Peters' marriage and her advocacy for animal welfare

Peters expressed her love for her husband in a 1999 interview with Playbill, where she credited him for providing stability and support in her life. She said:

"[marriage has] been great. It's been like this secure, rooted place, so it allows my tree to branch out. I've never worked as much since I've been married, taking risks and doing things."

After Wittenberg’s passing, his family asked for donations in his name to be given to Broadway-related charities such as Broadway Barks, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Standing Tall.

Apart from her Broadway accolades, Bernadette Peters has also co-founded the organization Broadway Barks with Mary Tyler Moore, which is a popular animal adoption event benefiting animal shelters throughout New York and in the surrounding area.

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Her commitment to humanitarian causes was recognized by the prestigious Isabelle Stevenson Award. According to a report by Whats On Stage, she also co-hosted West End Woofs in London with Elaine Paige, which was aimed at uniting rescue centers and shelters.

Bernadette Peters is also a New York Times best-selling author. She has penned three children’s books, which include Broadway Barks, Stella is a Star, and Stella and Charlie: Friends Forever, the profits from which all go towards the cause of animal welfare.

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