Attended Manhattanville College and Sanford Meisner's acting school.
Began her acting career in summer stock in Olney, Maryland.
The daughter of a U.S. diplomat stationed in Germany, Rosemary Murphy did not come to the U.S. until 1939.
Was nominated for Broadway's Tony Award three times: twice as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic), in 1961 for "Period of Adjustment" and in 1965 for "Any Wednesday," and once as Best Actress (Dramatic), in 1967 for Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning "A Delicate Balance." The latter performance also earned her the Variety Critics Poll Award as Best Actress.
Was raised in Paris, France.