Lainie Kazan
USABiography of Lainie Kazan
Lainie Kazan is an American singer and actress of theater, film, and television. She was born on May 15, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York. Kazan made her first television appearance in 1948, playing a small role in the musical comedy series "City Toast." She then appeared on screen again at the age of 12 in 1952, playing the role of Shirley Lupo in the drama series "Guiding Light."
Kazan began her professional theater career on Broadway, appearing in the play "The Happiest Girl in the World" in 1961 and "Bravo Giovanni" in 1962. She later worked as a double for Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl" until she had to take an 18-month break due to serious throat problems.
Kazan made her big screen debut in 1968, portraying Maria Varetto in Gordon Douglas' crime thriller "Lady in Cement." As her popularity grew, Kazan decided to participate in a photoshoot for the erotic magazine "Playboy" in October 1970.
Throughout her career, Kazan has played various roles in over 90 television and film projects. Some of her particularly successful works include the comedy "Harry and Hendersons" in 1978 and the action film "The Big Hit" in 1998. In the family comedy "Harry and Hendersons," she played Irene Moffett. The film was a box office success, with worldwide earnings more than twice the budget. The main cast of the film also included John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, and Joshua Rudoy. In the comedy-action film "The Big Hit" directed by Kirk Wong, Kazan took on the role of Jean Schulman. The film was simultaneously tense and relaxing, with the main characters being professional hired killers, and the predicaments they find themselves in being quite amusing.
Kazan has appeared in more than fifty different television series, including "Tales from the Crypt," "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Touched by an Angel," "Hollywood Squares," "Will & Grace," and "Boston Legal." Some of her notable film roles include "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," and "Gigi."
In 1984, she received an invitation to play the role of Fairy Sofia in the production of "Pinocchio." Later, Kazan returned to Broadway to continue performing in the musical "My Favorite Year," for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. She recently completed her work in the production of "The Vagina Monologues."
On the theater stage, Kazan has appeared in productions such as "A Little Night Music," "Man of La Mancha," "Gypsy," "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," "Hello, Dolly!," and "Fiddler on the Roof."
Kazan has also actively participated in various television projects. She has been invited to well-known shows such as "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," "The Dean Martin Show," and "The Carol Burnett Show." Additionally, Kazan has appeared in television films such as "Biography" and "Broadway: The Golden Age."
In recent years, Kazan has performed in concert venues in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She acknowledges that her voice has changed over the years, and critics and jazz lovers praise her maturity and depth of emotions, which have grown from years of experience.
Kazan is a member of the Council for the "Young Musician's Foundation," "AIDS Project LA," and "B'nai Brith." She has always been a supporter of various charitable organizations and received the title of "Woman of the Year" from B'nai Brith. She has campaigned for organizations fighting against AIDS, participated in telethons, and supported non-profit organizations throughout the United States.
In 1990, Kazan was presented with the "Israeli Peace Award," and in 1997, she was designated the "Queen of Brooklyn."
