Happy 62nd birthday to the magnificent Judith Light!

She’s best known to television viewers from her roles as Karen on One Life to Live, Angela on Who’s the Boss, Claire on Ugly Betty and Judge Elizabeth Donnelly on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

But Judith Light, who’s also been acclaimed in stage (Wit) and on film (Save Me), is also known for her big heart and her strong ties to the LGBT community.

The actress turns 62 today.

Her LGBT activism began way back in the early 80s. Judith was horrified by the AIDS epidemic and the government’s lack of action when people, including her friends, were dying. She was one of the first celebrities to step-up and help to raise money and awareness.

“I’ve been part of the really dark days,” Judith told me at the Ribbon of Hope event back in 2007. “How it feels now is it feels mildly better but it’s not enough. I know that people are working really hard to make it be different and that’s what we have to keep doing …[HIV/AIDS is) out there and it’s not over.”

I love what Judith said at another awards show earlier that year about gay people: “You are my teachers, you are my role models. You risk everything to be authentic. Do you know how rare that is in this culture? …People who are out and who are willing to risk in order to lead.”

Happy birthday to an extraordinary woman.