Lainie Kazan
Biography
Lainie Kazan is an American actress and singer who was born on May 15, 1940. Her place of birth is New York City, specifically noted as Brooklyn, New York, United States. She is also known by the name Lainie Levine. Her parents are Benjamin Levine and Carole Kazan. Throughout her career in the entertainment industry, she has accumulated 125 known credits in acting across movies and television shows. Among her known film and television associations are projects such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Kominsky Method, Modern Family, and The Paper Chase. Her professional background encompasses both acting and singing roles as documented in her biographical records.
Career overview
Lainie Kazan is an American actress and singer who was born on May 15, 1940, in New York City, New York, United States. Also known as Lainie Levine, she has built a substantial career in the entertainment industry with a known credit count of 125 acting projects. Her professional background encompasses work in both film and television, contributing to her recognition across various media platforms.
Throughout her career, Kazan has been associated with several notable productions. Among her credited works are appearances in the television programs Modern Family and The Kominsky Method, as well as the film The Paper Chase. Additionally, she is recognized for her role in the feature film My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
As a performer, Kazan's longevity in the industry is reflected in her extensive filmography and ongoing presence in popular culture. Her professional credits span multiple decades, establishing her as a recognizable figure in American television and cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
128 titles- Medium Rare Cold Case (2025) as Helga Costas
- The Italians (2025)
- Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2023) as Farmer Weebo (voice)
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023) as Maria Portokalos
- Commitment to Life (2023) as Self (archive footage)
- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Tango Shalom (2021) as Leah Zlotkin
- The Kominsky Method (2018) as Norman's Grandmother
- Olympia (2018) as Self
- The Amityville Murders (2018) as Nona
- Garlic and Gunpowder (2018) as Rose Lusconi
- Fuller House (2016) as Irma
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) as Maria Portokalos
- Pixels (2015) as Mickey Lamonsoff
- Tab Hunter Confidential (2015) as Self
- Pearly Gates (2015) as Millie
- Young & Hungry (2014) as Susie
- I Am Divine (2014) as Self (archive)
- The Cookie Mobster (2014) as Mamma
- I'm a Mitzvah (2014) as Mrs. Cohen
- Finding Joy (2013) as Gloria
- Meir's Festival (2013) as Self
- Heroes and Demons (2012) as Sharon Klublersurf (segment "Ollie Klublershturf vs. The Nazis")
- Divorce Invitation (2012) as Elaine lipnick
- Jessie (2011) as Wanda Winkle
- Expecting Mary (2010) as Lillian Littlefeather
- Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay! (2010) as Shirley Hirsch
- Ollie Klublershturf vs. the Nazis (2010) as Sharon Klublershturf
- Modern Family (2009) as Eleanor
- RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) as Self - Guest Judge
- Celebrity Ghost Stories (2009) as Self
- You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008) as Gail Klayman
- Beau Jest (2008) as Miriam Goldman
- Bratz (2007) as Bubbie
- Ugly Betty (2006) as Dina Talercio
- 'Til Death (2006) as Donna
- Red Riding Hood (2006) as Grandma
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as C.J.
- Hell's Kitchen (2005) as Self - Restaurant Patron
- Living with Fran (2005)
- Whiskey School (2005) as Hedy Seligman
- The Engagement Ring (2005) as Alicia Rosa Anselmi
- Desperate Housewives (2004) as Maxine Rosen
- Boston Legal (2004) as Judge Paula Stern
- Gigli (2003) as Mother
- My Big Fat Greek Life (2003) as Maria Portokalos
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- A Good Night to Die (2003) as Diane
- Tempted (2003) as Julia
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) as Maria Portokalos
- Eight Crazy Nights (2002) as Old Woman (singing voice)
- Strong Medicine (2000) as Mrs. Biancavilla
- The Crew (2000) as Pepper Lowenstein
- What's Cooking? (2000) as Ruth 'Ruthie' Seelig
- Bruno (2000) as Sister Mary Perpetua
- If You Only Knew (2000) as Bess
- The King of Queens (1998) as Ava St. Clair
- Will & Grace (1998) as Aunt Honey
- The Big Hit (1998) as Jeanne Shulman
- Permanent Midnight (1998) as Jerry's Mother at Funeral
- Safety Patrol! (1998) as Mrs. Day
- The Unknown Cyclist (1998) as Rachel
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1997) as Mrs. Day
- Veronica's Closet (1997) as Dottie
- Allie & Me (1997) as Camille Alexander
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- Life's Work (1996)
- The Associate (1996) as Cindy Mason
- Love Is All There Is (1996) as Sadie Capomezzo
- Prince for a Day (1995) as Rose
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Doris Bernstein
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Aunt Meg
- The Nanny (1993) as Aunt Freida
- The Nanny (1993) as Freida
- Animaniacs (1993) as Molly (voice)
- The Cemetery Club (1993) as Selma
- I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore (1992) as Sarah Fishbine
- 29th Street (1991) as Mrs. Pesce
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) as Rose Zuckerman
- Earthday Birthday (1990) as (voice)
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Mrs. Grafungar
- Friend to Friend: Armenian Earthquake Relief (1989) as Self
- Hägar the Horrible (1989) as Helga
- Beaches (1988) as Leona Bloom
- Out of the Dark (1988) as Nancy
- Harry and the Hendersons (1987) as Irene Moffitt
- Karen's Song (1987) as Claire Steiner
- Medium Rare (1987) as Helga Costas
- The Delta Force (1986) as Sylvia Goldman
- Tough Cookies (1986)
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Sister Teresa
- The Journey of Natty Gann (1985) as Connie
- Lust in the Dust (1985) as Marguerita Ventura
- Dancing in the Wings (1985) as Vera
- The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf (1985) as Madam Zola
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Anna Grimaldi
- Pinocchio (1984) as Sophia, the Blue Fairy
- The Jerk, Too (1984) as Card Player
- Obsessive Love (1984) as Margaret Chase
- Sunset Limousine (1983) as Jessie Durning
- St. Elsewhere (1982) as Frieda Fiscus
- St. Elsewhere (1982) as Mrs. Fiscus
- Hotel (1982) as Fay Wells
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Sophia, the Blue Fairy
- One from the Heart (1982) as Maggie
- My Favorite Year (1982) as Belle Carroca
- A Cry for Love (1980) as Tina Weathersby
- Abraham's Sacrifice (1979) as Hagar
- The Paper Chase (1978) as Rose Samuels
- A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story (1978) as Sophie Tucker
- Baretta (1975)
- When Things Were Rotten (1975) as Tania
- Columbo (1971) as Valerie Kirk
- Romance of a Horsethief (1971) as Estusha
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Lady in Cement (1968) as Maria Baretto
- Dayton's Devils (1968) as Leda Martell
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest
- Hullabaloo (1965) as Self
- The Danny Kaye Show (1963) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Ben Casey (1961)
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Back of Book as Claudia
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Lainie Kazan best known for?
Lainie Kazan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2023), My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023), The Kominsky Method (2018), Men and Women (1999).
When and where was Lainie Kazan born?
Lainie Kazan was born on May 15, 1940 in New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Lainie Kazan have?
Lainie Kazan has accumulated over 128 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2025.
What is Lainie Kazan's background in cinema and television?
Lainie Kazan is an American actress and singer who was born on May 15, 1940. Her place of birth is New York City, specifically noted as Brooklyn, New York, United States. She is also known by the name Lainie Levine. Her parents are Benjamin Levine and Carole Kazan. Throughout her career in the entertainment industry, s...
Lainie Kazan by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as C.J. — aged about 65
- The Nanny (1993) as Aunt Freida — aged about 53
- The Nanny (1993) as Freida — aged about 53
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Sophia, the Blue Fairy — aged about 42
- Columbo (1971) as Valerie Kirk — aged about 31
- Jessie (2011) as Wanda Winkle — aged about 71
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