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IMDbPro

Lainie Kazan

  • Actress
  • Producer
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
Lainie Kazan at an event for Chicken Little (2005)
One dazzling dance step at a time,  TANGO SHALOM  is an inspiring and joyous celebration of Hasidic Jewish life.  An interfaith milestone, this is the first film in history that was a joint collaboration with The Vatican, a Hasidic Synagogue, a Sikh Temple, and a Mosque, which promotes a timeless message of peace, tolerance, and love.
Play trailer2:13
Tango Shalom (2021)
23 Videos
66 Photos
Actress and singer Lainie Kazan first made her mark with her Broadway debut in 1961 with the musical The Happiest Girl in the World. The following year, she appeared in another musical, Bravo Giovanni. She eventually served as Barbra Streisand's understudy for the lead role of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (1968), and when Streisand was unable to perform, due to a throat condition, Kazan took her place in both a matinee and evening performance for one day of the show's run. Always the tireless entertainer, Kazan has contributed her talents to an endless list of film and television projects roles; perhaps her most talked-about role is of the hilarious mom Maria Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), and its sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016).
BornMay 15, 1942
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMay 15, 1942
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy

Photos66

Angelina Jolie, Joseph Bologna, and Lainie Kazan in Love Is All There Is (1996)
Joey Fatone, Gia Carides, Michael Constantine, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Stavroula Logothettis, Louis Mandylor, Andrea Martin, Bess Meisler, and Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)
Michael Constantine and Lainie Kazan in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)
Lainie Kazan in Persephone (2013)
Lainie Kazan and Krystal White in Persephone (2013)
Lainie Kazan and Louis Mandylor in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)
Elliott Gould and Lainie Kazan in Divorce Invitation (2012)
Lainie Kazan in Finding Joy (2013)
Barry Bostwick and Lainie Kazan in Finding Joy (2013)
Barry Bostwick, Lainie Kazan, and Josh Cooke in Finding Joy (2013)
John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, Lainie Kazan, and Margaret Langrick in Harry and the Hendersons (1987)
Lainie Kazan and Renée Taylor in Love Is All There Is (1996)

Known for

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
6.6
  • Maria Portokalos
  • 2002
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck in Gigli (2003)
Gigli
2.6
  • Mother
  • 2003
John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Nia Vardalos, and Elena Kampouris in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
6.0
  • Maria
  • 2016
Adam Sandler in You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008)
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
5.6
  • Gail
  • 2008

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actress

  • Greek Philosophia and Chickens
    • Post-production
  • My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
    • Post-production
  • Back of Book
    • In Development
  • Oliver Platt, Steven Weber, Marlyne Barrett, S. Epatha Merkerson, Brian Tee, Dominic Rains, Guy Lockard, Jessy Schram, and Nick Gehlfuss in Chicago Med (2015)
    Chicago Med
  • Jos Laniado and Karina Smirnoff in Tango Shalom (2021)
    Tango Shalom
  • Andrea Barber, Candace Cameron Bure, and Jodie Sweetin in Fuller House (2016)
    Fuller House
  • Michael Douglas in The Kominsky Method (2018)
    The Kominsky Method
  • The Amityville Murders (2018)
    The Amityville Murders
  • Emily Osment in Young & Hungry (2014)
    Young & Hungry
  • Chazz Palminteri, Alex Meneses, and Kenny D'Aquila in Unorganized Crime (2018)
    Unorganized Crime
  • Garlic & Gunpowder (2017)
    Garlic & Gunpowder
  • John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Nia Vardalos, and Elena Kampouris in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)
    My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
  • Pearly Gates (2015)
    Pearly Gates
  • Adam Sandler, Peter Dinklage, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, and Josh Gad in Pixels (2015)
    Pixels
  • The Cookie Mobster (2014)
    The Cookie Mobster
  • Ben Schwartz and Erick Chavarria in I'm a Mitzvah (2014)
    I'm a Mitzvah
  • Persephone (2013)
    Persephone
  • James Pickens Jr., Ellen Pompeo, and Chandra Wilson in Grey's Anatomy (2005)
    Grey's Anatomy

Producer

  • Jos Laniado and Karina Smirnoff in Tango Shalom (2021)
    Tango Shalom

Soundtrack

  • Morgan Thompson in Red Riding Hood (2006)
    Red Riding Hood
  • Lust in the Dust (1984)
    Lust in the Dust
  • Blood Song (1982)
    Blood Song
  • The 40th Annual Academy Awards (1968)
    The 40th Annual Academy Awards
  • Danny Kaye in The Danny Kaye Show (1963)
    The Danny Kaye Show
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos24

Beaches
Clip 1:43
Beaches
Beaches
Clip 1:16
Beaches
Beaches
Clip 1:28
Beaches
29th Street
Clip 4:35
29th Street
Trailer
Trailer 2:14
Trailer
Trailer
Trailer 2:03
Trailer
Teaser Trailer
Trailer 0:31
Teaser Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:11
Official Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:08
Official Trailer
Theatrical Version
Trailer 2:06
Theatrical Version
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Trailer 0:33
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Trailer 2:34
You Don't Mess with the Zohan

Personal details

Edit
    • Lainie Kazan's official website
    • Official Twitter
    • May 15, 1942
    • Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
    • February 28, 1971 - February 1989 (his death, 1 child)
  • Other works
    Appeared in the Ethel Merman Tribute concert "Doin What Comes Natur'lly".
  • Publicity listings
    • 5 Articles
    • 1 Pictorial

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    She teaches theater at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
  • Quotes
    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.
    • Natural brunette hair

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