Lainie Kazan

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 5 nominations See more awards »

Known For

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)

Beaches (1988)

Harry and the Hendersons (1987)

Show all | Edit

Filmography

Jump to: Actress | Soundtrack | Self

Hide

Actress (99 titles)

2013 Growing Defiant (in production)
Carmella

2013 Finding Joy
Gloria

2013/II Persephone (short)
Margot Herrera

2013 Modern Family (TV series)
Eleanor

– New Year's Eve (2013) … Eleanor

2012 Divorce Invitation
Elaine Lipnicks

2012 Sketchy (TV series)
Ma

– Rabbi Burger (2012) … Ma

2011 Good Vibes (TV series)
Nurse Nachama Fingerman

– Breast Friends (2011) … Nurse Nachama Fingerman (voice)

2010 Desperate Housewives (TV series)
Maxine Rosen

– Let Me Entertain You (2010) … Maxine Rosen

– The Thing That Counts Is What's Inside (2010) … Maxine Rosen

– Truly Content (2010) … Maxine Rosen

– You Must Meet My Wife (2010) … Maxine Rosen

– Remember Paul? (2010) … Maxine Rosen

2010 Ollie Klublershturf vs. the Nazis (short)
Sharon Klublershturf

2010 Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!!
Shirley Hirsch

2010 'Til Death (TV series)
Donna

– The Baby (2010) … Donna

– Ally's Pregnant (2010) … Donna

– Joy's Mom (2010) … Donna

2010 The Word Is Love (video short)
Shirley hirsch

2010 Ugly Betty (TV series)
Dina Talercio

– Fire and Nice (2010) … Dina Talercio

2010 Medium Rare (TV series)
Helga

2010 Expecting Mary
Lillian Littlefeather

2008 Boston Legal (TV series)
Judge Paula Stern

– Dances with Wolves (2008) … Judge Paula Stern

2008 You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Gail

2008 Beau Jest
Miriam Goldman

2007 Bratz
Bubbie

2007 In the Motherhood (TV series)
Joyce

– The Mother of All Days (2007) … Joyce

– Nightmare on a Plane! (2007) … Joyce

2007 The King of Queens (TV series)
Ava St. Clair

– China Syndrome, Parts 1 and 2 (2007) … Ava St. Clair

– Manhattan Project (2007) … Ava St. Clair

2006 Red Riding Hood
Grandma

2006 Living with Fran (TV series)
Cookie

– The Whole Clan with Fran (2006) … Cookie

2005 The Engagement Ring (TV movie)
Alicia Rosa Anselmi

2005 Whiskey School
Hedy Seligman

2003 Guiding Light (TV series)
Shirley Lupo

– Episode dated 14 October 2003 (2003) … Shirley Lupo

2003 Gigli
Mother

2003 A Good Night to Die
Diane

2003 My Big Fat Greek Life (TV series)
Maria Portokalos

– Greek Easter (2003) … Maria Portokalos

– Nick Moves Out (2003) … Maria Portokalos

– Big Night (2003) … Maria Portokalos

– The Free Lunch (2003) … Maria Portokalos

– Ariana (2003) … Maria Portokalos

See all 7 episodes »

2003 Tempted (TV movie)
Julia

2002 Eight Crazy Nights
Old Woman (singing voice)

1998-2002 Touched by an Angel (TV series)
Aunt Meg / Doris Bernstein

– The Princeless Bride (2002) … Aunt Meg

– Deconstructing Harry (1998) … Doris Bernstein

2002 My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Maria Portokalos

2001 Will & Grace (TV series)
Aunt Honey

– Moveable Feast (2001) … Aunt Honey

2001 Strong Medicine (TV series)
Mrs. Biancavilla

– Maternity (2001) … Mrs. Biancavilla

2000 The Crew
Pepper Lowenstein

2000 Bruno
Sister Mary Perpetua

2000 If You Only Knew
Bess

2000 What's Cooking?
Ruth 'Ruthie' Seelig

1999 Kimberly
Hanna

1999 To Serve and Protect (TV mini-series)
Francesca

– Episode #1.1 (1999) … Francesca

– Episode #1.2 (1999) … Francesca

1995-1999 The Nanny (TV series)
Aunt Freida

– The In-Law Who Came Forever (1999) … Aunt Freida

– The Ex-Niles (1997) … Aunt Freida

– Freida Needa Man (1996) … Aunt Freida

– A Fine Family Feud (1995) … Aunt Freida

1998 The Unknown Cyclist
Rachel

1998 Permanent Midnight
Jerry's Mother at Funeral (uncredited)

1998 The Big Hit
Jeanne Shulman

1998 Safety Patrol (TV movie)
Mrs. Day

1997 Veronica's Closet (TV series)
Dottie

– Veronica's First Thanksgiving (1997) … Dottie

1997 Allie & Me
Camille Alexander

1996 The Associate
Cindy Mason

1996 Life's Work (TV series)
Connie Minardi

– Concert (1996) … Connie Minardi

– Daycareless (1996) … Connie Minardi

1996 Love Is All There Is
Sadie Capomezzo

1996 Movies Money Murder
Sylvia

1995 Prince for a Day (TV movie)
Rose

1995 Courthouse (TV series)
Lila Winkleman

– One flew over the Courthouse (1995) … Lila Winkleman

1994 Murder, She Wrote (TV series)
Anna Grimaldi

– Crimson Harvest (1994) … Anna Grimaldi

1994 Animaniacs (TV series)
Molly

– Miami Mama-Mia/Pigeon on the Roof (1994) … Molly (voice)

1993 Tales from the Crypt (TV series)
Mrs. Grafungar

– People Who Live in Brass Hearses (1993) … Mrs. Grafungar

1993 The Cemetery Club
Selma

1992 I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore
Sarah Fishbine

1991 29th Street
Mrs. Pesce

1991 Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV series)
Rose Zuckerman

– Down and Out of District in Beverly Hills (1991) … Rose Zuckerman

1990/II Eternity
Mother/Berneice (uncredited)

1990 Earthday Birthday (TV movie) (voice)

1989 Hägar the Horrible (TV short)
Helga (voice)

1988 Beaches
Leona Bloom

1988 The Van Dyke Show (TV series)
Bunnie

– Fatal Condo (1988) … Bunnie

1988 Out of the Dark
Hooker/Nancy

1987-1988 St. Elsewhere (TV series)
Mrs. Fiscus

– The Abby Singer Show (1988) … Mrs. Fiscus

– No Chemo, Sabe? (1987) … Mrs. Fiscus

– A Moon for the Misbegotten (1987) … Mrs. Fiscus

1983-1987 Hotel (TV series)
Beatrice Dolan / Fay Wells

– Desperate Moves (1987) … Beatrice Dolan

– Hotel (1983) … Fay Wells

1987 Karen's Song (TV series)
Claire Steiner

– Aloha Oe (1987) … Claire Steiner

– Seems Like Old Times (1987) … Claire Steiner

– Heart Attack (1987) … Claire Steiner

– You've Got a Friend (1987) … Claire Steiner

– It Was Fascination (1987) … Claire Steiner

See all 13 episodes »

1987 Harry and the Hendersons
Irene Moffitt

1987 Amazing Stories (TV series)
Sister Teresa

– Gershwin's Trunk (1987) … Sister Teresa

1987 Medium Rare
Helga

1985-1986 The Paper Chase (TV series)
Rose Samuels (1985-1986)

– Graduation (1986) … Rose Samuels (1985-1986)

– Suppressed Desires (1986) … Rose Samuels (1985-1986)

– A Wounded Hart (1986) … Rose Samuels (1985-1986)

– It's Only a Show (1985) … Rose Samuels (1985-1986)

– The Day Kingsfield Missed Class (1985) … Rose Samuels (1985-1986)

See all 9 episodes »

1986 Tough Cookies (TV series)
Rita

– Temper Fidelis (1986) … Rita

– The Stoolie (1986) … Rita

– The Unfantasy (1986) … Rita

– Naked City (1986) … Rita

– Grudge Match (1986) … Rita

See all 6 episodes »

1986 The Delta Force
Sylvia Goldman

1986 Twisted Sister: Come Out and Play (video short)
Lunch Lady

1985 The Journey of Natty Gann
Connie

1985 Lust in the Dust
Marguerita Ventura

1985 ABC Weekend Specials (TV series)
Madam Zola

– The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf (1985) … Madam Zola

1984 Obsessive Love (TV movie)
Margaret Chase

1984 Faerie Tale Theatre (TV series)
Sophia, the Blue Fairy

– Pinocchio (1984) … Sophia, the Blue Fairy

1984 The Jerk, Too (TV movie)
Card Player

1983 Sunset Limousine (TV movie)
Jessie Durning

1983 Too Close for Comfort (TV series)
Mrs. Garibaldi

– Family Business (1983) … Mrs. Garibaldi

1982 My Favorite Year
Belle Carroca

1982 One from the Heart
Maggie

1980 A Cry for Love (TV movie)
Tina Weathersby

1979 Greatest Heroes of the Bible (TV series)
Hagar

– Abraham's Sacrifice (1979) … Hagar

1978 Columbo (TV series)
Valerie Kirk

– Make Me a Perfect Murder (1978) … Valerie Kirk

1978 A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story (TV movie)
Sophie Tucker

1977 Dancing in the Wings (TV movie)

1976 Baretta (TV series)
Lottie

– Murder for Me (1976) … Lottie

1975 When Things Were Rotten (TV series)
Tania

– The Spy: Part 1 (1975) … Tania

– The Spy: Part 2 (1975) … Tania

1971 Romance of a Horsethief
Estusha

1969 The Dean Martin Comedy Hour (TV series)

– Episode dated 6 February 1969 (1969)

1968 Lady in Cement
Maria Baretto

1968 Dayton's Devils
Leda Martell

1965 Ben Casey (TV series)
Della

– Why Did the Day Go Backwards? (1965) … Della

Show

Soundtrack (4 titles)

Show

Self (49 titles)

Personal Details

Other Works:

Achieved fame as Barbra Streisand's understudy in the Broadway play "Funny Girl". At various times, people like Carol Burnett & Eydie Gormé auditioned to replace Lainie as Barbra's understudy but she lasted in the job. Finally, she was able to go on and left the show to pursue new horizons... See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Interview | 4 Articles | See more »

Official Sites:

Lainie Kazan's official website | See more »

Height:

5' 6" (1.68 m)

Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I get a sensual feeling from my own singing voice. When I am right, whether I'm moaning or winging it, I just fly. I soar. I get all caught up in myself. And baby, when that happens, you just know the audience has to be with me, having a ball. See more »

Trivia:

Mother, with Peter Daniels, of a daughter. See more »

Star Sign:

Taurus

Lainie Kazan

Trivia:

Born:

Quick Links:

Related News

Related Lists

Do you have a demo reel?

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

My Demo Reel

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Melanie Molnar - Reel

Connect with IMDb

Take The Quiz!

Known For

Filmography

Related Videos

Personal Details

Other Works:

Publicity Listings:

Official Sites:

Height:

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

Trivia:

Star Sign:

	STARmeter Top 5000 Up 1,216 this week View rank on IMDbPro » Lainie Kazan Actress \| Soundtrack Trivia: Mother, with Peter Daniels, of a daughter. See more trivia » Born: Lainie Levine May 15, 1940 in New York City, New York, USA
	More at IMDbPro » Contact Info: View agent Represent Lainie Kazan? Add or change photos