Kazan, Lainie 1940(?)–

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Kazan, Lainie 1940(?)–

(Laine Kazan)

PERSONAL

Born Lainie Levine, May 15, 1940 (some sources say 1942), in Brooklyn (some sources cite New York), NY; married Peter Daniels, February 28, 1971 (divorced); children: Jennifer Bena. Education: Hofstra University, B.A.; trained for the stage at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg, Sanford Meisner, and Joseph K. Scott, Jr. Avocational Interests: Horseback riding, writing poetry.

Addresses: Manager—Ben Levine, Levine Wilkins Entertainment, 10585 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 120, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

Career: Actress, singer, and nightclub owner. Manager of "Lainie's Room" at the Playboy Club, Los Angeles, 1976, and "Lainie's Room East," Playboy Club, New York City, 1977; performed in cabaret at dozens of venues, including Sahara, Hilton, Riviera, and Flamingo Hotels, all Las Vegas, NV; Empire Room, Mr. Kelly's, Blue Max, and Hyatt Regency House, all Chicago, IL; Persian Room at the Plaza, Royal Box at the Americana Hotel, Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria, and Rainbow Grill at Rockefeller Plaza, all New York City; Westside Room at the Century Plaza Hotel and Backlot at Studio One, both Los Angeles; Fairmont hotels in Dallas, San Francisco, and New Orleans; Harrah's at Lake Tahoe, Reno, NV. Actors' Studio, life member. Creator of Lainie Kazan fashion jewelry. Board member for charitable organizations, including Young Musicians Foundation, AIDS Project LA, and B'nai B'rith.

Awards, Honors: Grammy Award, new artist of the year, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, 1968; Golden Globe Award nomination, best supporting actress in a motion picture, 1983, for My Favorite Year; Annual CableACE Award nomination, best actress in a dramatic series, National Cable Television Association, 1987, for The Paper Chase; Emmy Award nomination, outstanding guest performer in a drama series, 1988, for "The Abby Singer Show," St. Elsewhere; Israeli Peace Award, 1990; Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best featured actress in a musical, 1993, for My Favorite Year; Susan B. Anthony Failure Is Impossible Award, High Falls Film Festival, 2002; Golden Satellite Award nomination, best supporting actress in a comedy or musical, International Press Academy, and Screen Actors Guild Award nomination (with others), outstanding cast of a theatrical motion picture, both 2003, for My Big Fat Greek Wedding; named woman of the year, B'nai B'rith.

CREDITS

Film Appearances:

(Film debut) Maria Baretto, Lady in Cement, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1968.

Leda Martell, Dayton's Devils, 1968.

Estusha, Romance of a Horse Thief (also known as Le roman d'un voleur de chevaux), Allied Artists, 1971.

Maggie, One from the Heart, Columbia, 1982.

Belle Steinberg Carroca, My Favorite Year, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1982.

Marguerita Ventura, Lust in the Dust, New World, 1985.

Connie, The Journey of Natty Gann, Buena Vista, 1985.

Sylvia Goldman, The Delta Force (also known as Ma-hatz Ha-Delta), Cannon, 1986.

Irene Moffat, Harry and the Hendersons (also known as Bigfoot and Bigfoot and the Hendersons), Universal, 1987.

Hooker/Nancy, Out of the Dark, 1988.

Leona Bloom, Beaches (also known as Forever Friends), Buena Vista, 1988.

Medium Rare, 1989.

(Uncredited) Berneice/Mother, Eternity, Triax Entertainment Group, 1989.

The Life and Times of Charlie Putz, 1991.

Mrs. Pesce, 29th Street, 1991.

Sarah Fishbine, I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore, Skouras, 1992.

Selma, The Cemetery Club (also known as Looking for a Live One), Buena Vista, 1993.

Sadi Capomezzo, Love Is All There Is, Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1996.

Cindy Mason, The Associate, Buena Vista, 1996.

Sylvia, Movies Money Murder (also known as Breaking Up with Paul), 1996.

Rachel, The Unknown Cyclist, Trident Releasing, 1997.

Camille Alexander, Allie & Me, Redwood Communications, 1997.

Jeanne Shulman, The Big Hit, TriStar, 1998.

(Uncredited) Jerry's mother at funeral, Permanent Midnight, Artisan Entertainment, 1998.

Ruth "Ruthie" Seelig, What's Cookin', Trimark Pictures, 2000.

Bess, If You Only Knew (also known as Ein Apartment zum verlieben), Eternity Pictures, 2000.

Pepper Lowenstein, The Crew, Buena Vista, 2000.

Maria Portokalos, My Big Fat Greek Wedding (also known as Mariage a la grecque), IFC Films, 2002.

Singing voice of old woman, Eight Crazy Nights (also known as Adam Sandler's "Eight Crazy Nights"), Columbia TriStar, 2002.

Diane, A Good Night to Die, Regent Entertainment, 2003.

Mother, Gigli, Columbia, 2003.

Grandma, Red Riding Hood, Twentieth Century-Fox, 2004.

Herself, Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (documentary), Dada Films, 2004.

Hedy Seligman, Whiskey School, Pompeian Pictures, 2005.

Television Appearances; Series:

Member of ensemble, The Dean Martin Summer Show (also known as The Rowan & Martin Show), NBC, 1966.

The Dean Martin Show (also known as The Dean Martin Comedy Hour), NBC, multiple appearances, between 1966 and 1968.

Rose Samuels, a recurring role, The Paper Chase (also known as The Paper Chase: The Second Year, The Paper Chase: The Third Year, The Paper Chase: The Fourth Year, and The Paper Chase: The Graduation Year), 1985–86.

Rita, Tough Cookies, CBS, 1986.

Claire Steiner, Karen's Song, Fox, 1987.

Grandma Rose Zuckerman, Beverly Hills, 90210, Fox, between 1990 and 1992.

Maria Portokalos, My Big Fat Greek Life, CBS, 2003.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Sophie Tucker, A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story, 1978.

Valerie Kirk, Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder, NBC, 1978.

Tina Weathersby, A Cry for Love, NBC, 1980.

Fay Wells, Hotel, ABC, 1983.

Jessie Durning, Sunset Limousine, CBS, 1983.

Margaret Chase, Obsessive Love, CBS, 1984.

Card player, The Jerk, Too, NBC, 1984.

Rose Bitondo, Prince for a Day (also known as The Prince and the Pizza Boy), NBC, 1995.

Mrs. Day, Safety Patrol! (also known as Disney's "Safety Patrol"), ABC, 1998.

Hanna, Kimberly (also known as Daddy Who?), Cinemax, 1999.

Sister Mary Shirley, Bruno (also known as The Dress Code), Starz!, 2000.

Julia, Tempted (also known as A Mother's Choice and Returning Lily), Lifetime, 2003.

Alicia Rosa Anselmi, The Engagement Ring, TNT, 2005.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Francesca, To Serve and Protect, NBC, 1999.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Singer, The 40th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1968.

The Robert Goulet Special, syndicated, 1968.

The George Kirby Special, ABC, 1970.

Host, Come With Me—Lainie Kazan, syndicated, 1971.

Madame Zola, The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf (also known as Weekend Special: The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf), ABC, 1985.

Voice of Helga, Hagar the Horrible, CBS, 1989.

Hanukkah: Let There Be Lights, PBS, 1989.

Earthday Birthday, HBO, 1990.

Street Scenes: New York on Film, AMC, 1992.

Las Vegas Live!, Bravo, 1994.

"Shelley Winters: Full Disclosure," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 2001.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

"Jet' Adore Muldoon," Car 54, Where Are You?, 1962.

Herself, "Thanksgiving Celebration," The Bell Telephone Hour, NBC, 1964.

Della, "Why Did the Day Go Backwards?," Ben Casey, 1965.

Singer, Toast of the Town (also known as The Ed Sullivan Show), CBS, 1966, 1967, 1969.

Singer, The Hollywood Palace, ABC, 1967.

The Carol Burnett Show (also known as Carol Burnett and Friends), CBS, 1967.

This Is Tom Jones, 1969.

Tania, "The Spy: Parts 1 & 2," When Things Were Rotten, 1975.

Lottie, "Murder for Me," Baretta, 1976.

"Family Business," Too Close for Comfort (also known as The Ted Knight Show), 1983.

Sophia, the Blue Fairy, "Pinocchio," Faerie Tale Theatre (also known as Shelley Duvall's "Faerie Tale Theatre"), Showtime, 1983.

Sister Teresa, "Gershwin's Trunk," Amazing Stories (also known as Steven Spielberg's "Amazing Stories"), 1987.

Beatrice Dolan, "Desperate Moves," Hotel (also known as Arthur Hailey's "Hotel"), 1987.

Mrs. Fiscus, "A Moon for the Misbegotten," St. Elsewhere, 1987.

Mrs. Fiscus, "No Chemo Sabe?," St. Elsewhere, 1987.

Mrs. Fiscus, "The Abby Singer Show," St. Elsewhere, 1988.

Take Charge!, PBS, 1988.

Panelist, The New Hollywood Squares, syndicated, 1988.

"People Who Live in Brass Hearses," Tales from the Crypt (also known as HBO's "Tales from the Crypt"), HBO, 1993.

Anna Grimaldi, "Crimson Harvest," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1994.

Aunt Frieda, "A Fine Family Feud," The Nanny, CBS, 1995.

Lila Winkelman, "One Flew over the Courthouse," Courthouse, CBS, 1995.

Connie Minardi, "Daycareless," Life's Work, ABC, 1996.

Connie Minardi, "Concert," Life's Work, ABC, 1996.

(As Laine Kazan) Aunt Freida, "Freida Needa Man," The Nanny, CBS, 1996.

Aunt Freida, "The Ex-Niles," The Nanny, CBS, 1997.

Dottie, "Veronica's First Thanksgiving," Veronica's Closet, NBC, 1997.

Doris, "Deconstructing Harry," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 1998.

Aunt Freida, "The In-Law Who Came Forever," The Nanny, CBS, 1999.

Aunt Honey, "Moveable Feast," Will & Grace, NBC, 2001.

Mrs. Biancavilla, "Maternity," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2001.

Aung Meg, "The Princeless Bride," Touched by an Angel, CBS, 2002.

Shirley Lupo, The Guiding Light, CBS, 2003.

Cookie, "The Whole Clan with Fran," Living with Fran, The WB, 2006.

Television Guest Appearances; Episodic:

The Merv Griffin Show, syndicated, 1966, 1967.

The Virginia Graham Show, 1971.

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (also known as The Best of Carson), NBC, 1972.

Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1989.

The Rosie O'Donnell Show, syndicated, 1996.

Pyramid, syndicated, 2002, 2003.

The Sharon Osbourne Show (also known as Sharon), syndicated, 2004.

The Wayne Brady Show, syndicated, 2004.

Guest, The Test, FX Network; also appeared in episodes of the Dinah Shore Show, NBC, Mike Douglas Show, and The Famous Teddy Z.

Television Appearances; Other:

Dancing in the Wings, 1977.

Stage Appearances:

Jenny Wren, Kittiwake Island, Martinique Theatre, New York City, 1960.

Multiple roles, The Happiest Girl in the World (musical), Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, 1961.

La Contessa, Bravo Giovanni (musical), Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, 1962.

Belle Steinberg Carroca, My Favorite Year (musical), Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York City, 1992–93.

Anna, The Government Inspector, National Actors Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, New York City, 1993–94.

Singular Sensations, Village Theatre, New York City, 2003.

Tessa LaRuffa, Bermuda Avenue Triangle, Brentwood Theatre, Los Angeles, 2006.

Made stage debut as understudy, Fanny Brice, Funny Girl (musical), Broadway production; also appeared as Dolly Gallagher Levi, Hello, Dolly! (musical), Theatre at the Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ; in House of Blue Leaves, New York City; in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, New York City; as Aldonza, Man of La Mancha (musical), New York; as Daisy, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, New York; in Orpheus Descending, New York City; in Plaza Suite, New York City; as Gittel Mosca, Seesaw, Broadway production; in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, New York City; as Crystal, The Women, Broadway production; and in The Vagina Monologues, Westside Theatre Downstairs, New York City; appeared in regional productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy, A Little Night Music, The Rink, and The Rose Tattoo; also appeared in concert presentations.

RECORDINGS

Albums:

The Chanteuse Is Loose, 1984.

Body and Soul, 1996.

Other albums include Lainie Kazan—In the Groove.

Videos:

Lunch lady, Twisted Sister: Come Out and Play, 1986.

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals:

Backstage, March 26, 1999, p. 13.

TV Guide, October 11, 2003, p. 55.

Electronic:

Lainie Kazan Official Site, http://www.lainiekazan.com, July 25, 2006.