Madeline Kahn
Biography
Madeline Gail Kahn was an American actress, comedian, and singer born on September 29, 1942, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She was known for her comedic roles in films directed by Peter Bogdanovich and Mel Brooks, including What's Up, Doc?, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, History of the World, Part I, and her Academy Award nominated roles in Paper Moon and Blazing Saddles. Kahn made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1968 and received Tony Award nominations for the play In the Boom Boom Room and the original production of the musical On the Twentieth Century. She also starred as Madeline Wayne on the sitcom Oh Madeline. She passed away on December 3, 1999.
Career overview
Madeline Gail Kahn, born Madeline Gail Wolfson on September 29, 1942, was an American actress, comedian, and singer. She was known for comedic roles in films directed by Peter Bogdanovich and Mel Brooks, including What's Up, Doc? in 1972, Young Frankenstein in 1974, High Anxiety in 1977, and History of the World, Part I in 1981. She also received Academy Award nominations for her roles in Paper Moon in 1973 and Blazing Saddles in 1974.
On stage, Kahn made her Broadway debut in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1968. She later received Tony Award nominations for the play In the Boom Boom Room in 1974 and for the original production of the musical On the Twentieth Century in 1978. In television, she starred as Madeline Wayne on the short-lived sitcom Oh Madeline.
Her career encompassed numerous acting credits across film, television, and theatre. She passed away on December 3, 1999.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Madeline Kahn.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
92 titles- Who Done It: The Clue Documentary (2022) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault (2020) as (archive footage)
- AGFA Mystery Mixtape #4: Follow Your Own Star (2020) as Self
- Mel Brooks: Unwrapped (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- The Last Impresario (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks' Wild, Wild West (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (2010) as Self (uncredited) (archive footage)
- Making History: Mel Brooks on Creating the World (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- Musical Mel: Inventing The Inquisition (2009) as Self (archive footage)
- The Pixar Story (2007) as Gypsy (voice) (archive footage)
- Legends (2006) as Elizabeth (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays (2006) as Gorgeous Teitelbaum (segment "The Sisters Rosensweig")
- Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dan Aykroyd (2005) as Pat Nixon (archive footage)
- Sesame Street: Elmo's World: The Street We Live On! (2004) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Back in the Saddle (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Little Bill (1999)
- Judy Berlin (1999) as Alice Gold
- A Bug's Life (1998) as Gypsy Moth (voice)
- Cosby (1996) as Pauline Fox
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- London Suite (1996) as Sharon Semple
- For Love Alone: The Ivana Trump Story (1996) as Sabrina
- Making Frankensense of Young Frankenstein (1996) as Elizabeth (archive footage)
- New York News (1995) as Nan Chase
- Nixon (1995) as Martha Mitchell
- Anyone Can Whistle: Live at Carnegie Hall (1995) as Cora Hoover Hooper
- Mixed Nuts (1994) as Blanche Munchnik
- The World of Jim Henson (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book (1993)
- Lucky Luke (1992) as Esperanza
- Lucky Luke (1992) as Esmeralda
- For Richer, for Poorer (1992) as Billie
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992) as Self
- They call me Lucky Luke - Ma Dalton (1991) as Esperanza
- Kurt Vonnegut's Monkey House (1991) as Grace Anderson
- Road to Avonlea (1990) as Pigeon Plumtree
- Betsy's Wedding (1990) as Lola Hopper
- Sesame Street: Sing Yourself Silly! (1990) as Self (archive footage)
- Sesame Street: Put Down the Duckie (1988) as Self
- Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration (1988) as Self
- Mr. President (1987) as Lois Gullickson
- Sesame Street: Sing Along (1987) as Special Appearance
- My Little Pony (1986)
- An American Tail (1986) as Gussie Mausheimer (voice)
- My Little Pony: The Movie (1986) as Draggle (voice)
- Wanted: The Perfect Guy (1986) as Ellie Coleman
- The Comedy Factory (1985) as Violet Kingsley
- Clue (1985) as Mrs. White
- Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff (1985) as Self
- City Heat (1984) as Caroline Howley
- Reading Rainbow (1983) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Oh Madeline (1983) as Madeline Wayne
- Yellowbeard (1983) as Betty
- Group Madness (1983) as Self / Mrs. Yellowbeard
- Scrambled Feet (1982) as Madeline
- Slapstick of Another Kind (1982) as Eliza Swain / Lutetia Swain
- History of the World: Part I (1981) as Empress Nympho
- All-Star Party for Burt Reynolds (1981) as Self
- Fridays (1980) as Self - Guest Host
- Happy Birthday, Gemini (1980) as Bunny Weinberger
- Wholly Moses (1980) as The Witch
- First Family (1980) as Mrs. Link
- Simon (1980) as Dr. Cynthia Mallory
- The Muppet Movie (1979) as El Sleezo Patron
- The Cheap Detective (1978) as Mrs. Montenegro
- High Anxiety (1977) as Victoria Brisbane
- The Muppet Show (1976) as Self - Special Guest Star
- Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) as Estie Del Ruth
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- At Long Last Love (1975) as Kitty O'Kelly (Kathy Krumm)
- The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975) as Jenny Hill
- Young Frankenstein (1974) as Elizabeth
- Blazing Saddles (1974) as Lili Von Shtupp
- Adam's Rib (1973) as Doris
- Paper Moon (1973) as Trixie Delight
- From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (1973) as Schoolteacher
- ABC Afterschool Special (1972) as Ellie Coleman
- What's Up, Doc? (1972) as Eunice Burns
- Harvey (1972) as Nurse Ruth Kelly
- Screwball Comedies... Remember Them? (1972) as Self
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- The Dove (1968) as Sigfried
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Performer / Winner
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Nurse Ruth Kelly
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Madeline Kahn best known for?
Madeline Kahn is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Little Bill (1999), A Bug's Life (1998), Cosby (1996), The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996).
When and where was Madeline Kahn born?
Madeline Kahn was born on September 29, 1942 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. They passed away on December 3, 1999.
How many credits does Madeline Kahn have?
Madeline Kahn has accumulated over 92 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2022.
What is Madeline Kahn's background in cinema and television?
Madeline Gail Kahn was an American actress, comedian, and singer born on September 29, 1942, in Chelsea, Massachusetts. She was known for her comedic roles in films directed by Peter Bogdanovich and Mel Brooks, including What's Up, Doc?, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, History of the World, Part I, and her Academy Aw...