Patti LuPone has faced plenty of dramatic scenes on stage, but none quite like the one that unfolded in her own backyard. The Tony Award-winning Broadway legend, 76, recently sat down for a candid new interview with The New Yorker. During the conversation, she opened up about a terrifying experience at her Connecticut home. A raccoon attack had wiped out nearly her entire flock of chickens.
“It was horrific,” LuPone said. “There was blood and feathers and guts all over the place when my husband heard me screaming. He came down in this Victoria’s Secret underwear, barefoot. We looked in the hen hut, and there was the raccoon, basically looking at us, going, ‘I ain’t finished.’”
LuPone has built a storied career on Broadway with iconic roles in Evita, Company, and Gypsy. Offstage, she had a quirky and affectionately named group of chickens: Marilyn, Rita, Eartha, Foghorn Leghorn, and the Fabulous Miller Sisters. Tragically, only three survived the vicious attack.
Inside Patti LuPone’s Dual Life Between Connecticut and NYC
She has called Connecticut home since the 1980s. However, she also maintains an apartment on Central Park West in New York City, where she’s known to host festive New Year’s Eve gatherings. In March 2020, she delighted fans by sharing a now-viral tour of her Connecticut basement on Twitter. The video revealed a treasure trove of memorabilia collected over her illustrious six-decade career.
Raccoons, while often seen as mischievous nighttime scavengers, can pose serious threats to both pets and humans. Not only are they common carriers of rabies, but they’re also known for their aggressive behavior, particularly when cornered or protecting their young. During birthing season, mother raccoons are especially territorial and have been known to kill small dogs or cats that unknowingly wander too close to a den.
According to Critter Control, experts warn against leaving pets unattended outdoors in areas with suspected raccoon activity. In addition to attacking animals, raccoons can cause costly property damage, ripping up yards, raiding gardens, and even tearing through roofs, chimneys, and attics in search of a den.
DIY removal is discouraged, as raccoons can become violent when threatened and often nest in hard-to-reach and dangerous spots. Professional removal and exclusion services are recommended to safely secure a property against future invasions.
As for LuPone, she’s managed to find some dark humor in the moment, even if the raccoon didn’t quite stick to the script. And while her chickens may be gone, the theatrical telling of their fate is pure LuPone. Equal parts tragic, chaotic, and unforgettable.
