Carol Kane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carol Kane
|
|
---|---|
Kane in 2018
|
|
Born | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
|
June 18, 1952
Occupation | Actress, comedian |
Years active | 1966–present |
Carolyn Laurie Kane (born June 18, 1952) is an American actress. She gained recognition for her role in Hester Street (1975), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She became known in the 1970s and 1980s in films such as Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Annie Hall (1977), When a Stranger Calls (1979), The Princess Bride (1987), and Scrooged (1988).
Kane appeared on the television series Taxi in the early 1980s, as Simka Gravas, the wife of Latka, the character played by Andy Kaufman, winning two Emmy Awards for her work. She has played the character of Madame Morrible in the musical Wicked, both in touring productions and on Broadway from 2005 to 2014. From 2015 to 2020, she was a main cast member on the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, in which she played Lillian Kaushtupper. She currently plays the recurring role of Pelia in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2023–present).
Early life
Kane was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Joy, a jazz singer, teacher, dancer, and pianist, and Michael Kane. Her family is Jewish, and her grandparents emigrated from Russia, Austria, and Poland. Her parents divorced when she was 12 years old. She attended the Cherry Lawn School, a boarding school in Darien, Connecticut, until 1965. She studied theater at HB Studio and also went to the Professional Children's School in New York City. Kane made her professional theater debut in a 1966 production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, starring Tammy Grimes.
Career
1971–1979: Career beginnings and early recognition
Kane's on-screen career began while she was still a teenager, when she appeared in minor roles in films such as Desperate Characters and Mike Nichols's Carnal Knowledge in 1971, the latter of which led her to befriend lead actor Jack Nicholson. .....
In 1975, Kane was cast in Joan Micklin Silver's feature-length debut Hester Street, in which she played a Russian-Jewish immigrant who struggles with her husband to assimilate in early 20th-century New York. For her performance in the film, Kane garnered her sole Academy Award nomination for Best Actress at the 48th Academy Awards, and it remains her favorite of all her roles. Additionally, 1975 saw her appear as a bank teller in Sidney Lumet's crime drama Dog Day Afternoon, which received numerous Academy Award nominations in other categories that same year. This also marked her first on-screen collaboration with Al Pacino, whom she had known prior to the film thanks to their shared background in theater.
Despite this recognition, however, Kane has recounted waiting for approximately a year before being cast in her next role, which she has attributed to the trend of actors being typecast after receiving awards attention. Her return to the screen would come with Gene Wilder's 1977 comedy The World's Greatest Lover, which she has credited for identifying the comedic talents that would become her staple in later years. During the same year, she was cast in Woody Allen's romantic comedy Annie Hall, where she played Allison Portchnik, the first wife of Allen's character Alvy Singer. She also appeared in Ken Russell's film Valentino, which, like The World's Greatest Lover, takes inspiration from the silent film era, as it is a biographical drama loosely inspired by the life of Rudolph Valentino.
After this, Kane appeared in the horror films The Mafu Cage (1978) and When a Stranger Calls (1979); ironically, Kane herself is largely averse to horror, and she admits to being unable to watch the latter. In 1979, she also appeared in a cameo role in The Muppet Movie.
1980–1990: Taxi and transition into comedy
From 1980 to 1983, Kane portrayed Simka Dahblitz-Gravas, the wife of Andy Kaufman's character Latka Gravas, on the American television series Taxi. Kane has attributed the on-screen rapport she shared with Kaufman to their different work ethics: where she was trained in the theater and enjoyed rehearsal time, Kaufman was rooted more in stand-up comedy and did not care for rehearsals, a contrast that she believes enhanced their believability as a married couple. However, she maintains that she and Kaufman had a loving relationship on set, and she has spoken fondly of him in retrospective interviews. Kane received two Emmy Awards for her work on Taxi. Her role on the series has largely been credited as the beginning of her pivot towards more comedic roles, as she began to regularly appear in sitcoms and comedy films after the series ended.
In 1984, Kane appeared in episode 12, season 3 of Cheers as Amanda, an acquaintance of Diane Chambers from her time spent in a mental institution. She was also a regular on the 1986 series All Is Forgiven.
In 1987, Kane appeared in Ishtar, Elaine May's notorious box-office flop turned cult classic, playing the frustrated girlfriend of Dustin Hoffman's character. That year also saw her make one of her most recognizable film appearances in Rob Reiner's fantasy romance The Princess Bride, where she played a witch opposite Billy Crystal. In 1988, Kane appeared in the Cinemax Comedy Experiment Rap Master Ronnie: A Report Card alongside Jon Cryer and the Smothers Brothers. During the same year, she was also featured in the Bill Murray vehicle Scrooged, where she portrayed a contemporary version of the Ghost of Christmas Present, depicted in the film as a fairy. For this performance, Variety called her "unquestionably [the] pic's comic highlight". Additionally, she played a potential love interest for Steve Martin's character in the 1990 film My Blue Heaven.
1990–2004: Television and film regularity
Kane became a regular on the NBC series American Dreamer, which ran from 1990 to 1991. In 1993, she appeared in Addams Family Values where she replaced Judith Malina as Grandmama Addams; this role saw her reunite with her Taxi castmate Christopher Lloyd. She also guest starred on a 1994 episode of Seinfeld, as well as a 1996 episode of Ellen. In 1996, she was given a supporting role in the short-lived sitcom Pearl. From there, she continued to appear in a number of film roles throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, including The Pallbearer (1996), Office Killer (1997), Jawbreaker (1999), and My First Mister (2001). In 1998, she voiced Mother Duck in the American version of the animated television film The First Snow of Winter.
In 1999, she made a cameo in the Andy Kaufman biopic Man on the Moon as her Taxi character.
2005–2014: Wicked and career expansion
Kane is also known for her portrayal of the evil headmistress Madame Morrible in the Broadway musical Wicked, whom she played in various productions from 2005 to 2014. Kane made her Wicked debut on the 1st National Tour, playing the role from March 9 through December 19, 2005. She then reprised the role in the Broadway production from January 10 through November 12, 2006. She again played the role for the Los Angeles production which began performances on February 7, 2007. She left the production on December 30, 2007, and later returned on August 26, 2008, until the production closed on January 11, 2009.
In January 2009, she guest starred in the television series Two and a Half Men as the mother of Alan Harper's receptionist.
She then transferred with the Los Angeles company of Wicked to reprise her role once again, this time in the San Francisco production, which began performances January 27, 2009. She ended her limited engagement on March 22, 2009.
In March 2010, Kane appeared in the ABC series Ugly Betty as Justin Suarez's acting teacher.
Kane starred in the off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore in February 2010. She made her West End debut in January 2011 in a major revival of Lillian Hellman's drama The Children's Hour at London's Comedy Theatre, where she starred alongside Keira Knightley, Elisabeth Moss and Ellen Burstyn. In May 2012, Kane appeared on Broadway as Betty Chumley in a revival of the play Harvey.
Kane returned to the Broadway company of Wicked from July 1, 2013, through February 22, 2014, a period that included the show's 10th anniversary.
In 2014, she was cast in a recurring role on the television series Gotham as Gertrude Kapelput, the mother of Oswald Cobblepot, also known as Penguin.
2015–present: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and legacy roles
In 2015, Kane was cast in the recurring role of Lillian Kaushtupper, the landlord to the title character of the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Kane joined the cast due in part to her admiration of showrunner Tina Fey, with whom she had previously wanted to collaborate on the NBC series 30 Rock. She was promoted to a series regular for the show's second season. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt ran for four seasons, making it one of Kane's longest television roles to date. She reprised the role in the "interactive" television special Kimmy vs the Reverend.
In 2018, Kane was cast in Jacques Audiard's Western film The Sisters Brothers. In 2019, she appeared in Jim Jarmusch's horror comedy The Dead Don't Die, marking another collaboration with Bill Murray. That same year, she was featured in the recurring role of Bianca Nova in season one of the HBO series Los Espookys, where she reunited with her Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt castmate Fred Armisen.
In 2020, Kane was featured in the ensemble cast of the Amazon series Hunters, which also includes her longtime acquaintance Al Pacino. Additionally, during the same year, she participated in two cast reunion fundraisers, one with the cast of Taxi for the Actors Fund, the other with the cast of The Princess Bride for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
It was announced on Star Trek Day 2022 that Kane would join the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for season two as Chief Engineer Pelia. Prior to her casting, Kane had never seen an episode of the original Star Trek series, though she has said the show's writers thought this oversight improved her performance.
In 2023, Kane was announced as one of the leads in Nathan Silver's upcoming comedy film Between the Temples.
Personal life
Kane was in a relationship with actor Woody Harrelson from 1986 to 1988. The two have remained friends since their break-up, and Harrelson was seen attending Kane's 60th birthday party in 2012.
She has never been married, nor has she had any children. Regarding the latter decision, she has said, "I never felt that I would be calm and stable enough to be the kind of mother I'd like to be. I don't think everyone randomly is mother material."
Kane is often noted for her high, breathy, slow voice, though her vocal timbre has grown raspier with age. .....
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Desperate Characters | Young Girl | |
Carnal Knowledge | Jennifer | ||
1972 | Wedding in White | Jeannie Dougall | |
...and Hope to Die (aka. La course du lièvre à travers les champs) | Scenes cut from finished film | ||
1973 | The Last Detail | Young ... | |
1975 | Hester Street | Gitl | Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actress |
Dog Day Afternoon | Jenny | ||
1976 | Harry and Walter Go to New York | Florence | |
1977 | Annie Hall | Allison Portchnik | |
Valentino | Starlet | ||
The World's Greatest Lover | Annie Hickman | ||
1978 | The Mafu Cage | Cissy | |
1979 | The Muppet Movie | Myth | |
When a Stranger Calls | Jill Johnson | ||
La Sabina | Daisy | ||
1981 | The Games of Countess Dolingen | Louise Haines-Pearson | |
Strong Medicine | |||
1982 | Pandemonium | Candy | |
Norman Loves Rose | Rose | Nominated — AACTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | |
1983 | Can She Bake a Cherry Pie? | Customer at Cafe | |
1984 | Over the Brooklyn Bridge | Cheryl | |
Racing with the Moon | Annie the Hooker | ||
The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud | Martha Bernays | ||
Terror in the Aisles | Jill Johnson (archival footage) | Documentary | |
1985 | Transylvania 6-5000 | Lupi | |
1986 | Jumpin' Jack Flash | Cynthia | |
1987 | Ishtar | Carol | |
The Princess Bride | Valerie | ||
1988 | Sticky Fingers | Kitty | |
License to Drive | Mrs. Anderson | ||
Scrooged | Ghost of Christmas Present | ||
1990 | The Lemon Sisters | Franki D'Angelo | |
Flashback | Maggie | ||
Joe Versus the Volcano | Hairdresser cameo | ||
My Blue Heaven | Shaldeen | ||
1991 | Ted & Venus | Colette | |
1992 | In the Soup | Barbara | |
Baby on Board | Maria | ||
The Real Story of Here Comes the Bride | Margaret Mouse (voice) | ||
1993 | Even Cowgirls Get the Blues | Carla | |
Addams Family Values | Grandmama | ||
1994 | The Crazysitter | Treva Van Arsdale | |
1995 | Theodore Rex | Molly Rex (voice) | Direct-to-video film |
1996 | Big Bully | Faith | |
American Strays | Helen | ||
Sunset Park | Mona | ||
The Pallbearer | Mrs. Thompson | ||
Trees Lounge | Connie | ||
1997 | Gone Fishin' | Donna Waters | |
Office Killer | Dorine Douglas | ||
1998 | The Tic Code | Miss Gimpole | |
1999 | Jawbreaker | Principal Sherwood | |
Man on the Moon | Herself/Simka Dahblitz | ||
The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald | Org's mother (voice) | Short subject | |
2000 | The Office Party | Linda | Short subject |
2001 | D.C. Smalls | Mother | Short subject |
My First Mister | Mrs. Benson | ||
The Shrink Is In | Dr. Louise Rosenberg | ||
Tomorrow by Midnight | Officer Garfield | ||
2002 | Love in the Time of Money | Joey | |
2003 | Cosmopolitan | Mrs. Shaw | |
2004 | Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen | Miss Baggoli | |
2005 | The Pacifier | Helga | |
The Civilization of Maxwell Bright | Temple | ||
The Happy Elf | Gilda (voice) | ||
2008 | Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five | Sheep (voice) | |
Four Christmases | Aunt Sarah (uncredited) | ||
2010 | The Bounty Hunter | Dawn | |
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend | Barbara | ||
Pete Smalls Is Dead | Landlady | ||
2011 | The Key Man | Marsha | |
2012 | Sleepwalk with Me | Linda Pandamiglio | |
Should've Been Romeo | Ruth | ||
Thanks for Sharing | Roberta | ||
2013 | Clutter | Linda Bradford | |
2014 | Emoticon ;) | Hannah Song | |
2015 | Ava's Possessions | Talia | |
2018 | The Sisters Brothers | Mrs. Sisters | |
Ghost Light | Madeline Styne | ||
2019 | The Dead Don't Die | Mallory O'Brien | |
2022 | iMordecai | Fela | |
2023 | Migration | Erin (voice) | |
2024 | Between the Temples | Carla O'Connor | Post-production; also executive producer |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1974 | We, the Woman | Susannah White | Television film |
1978 | Visions | Episode: "Fans of the Kosko Show" | |
1978–1981 | Great Performances | Eliza Southgate; Frances Loomis | Episodes: "Out of Our Father's House"; "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses and Other Stories" |
1980 | The Greatest Man in the World | April | Television film |
1980–1983 | Taxi | Simka Dahblitz-Gravas | 17 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1982) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series (1983) Medallion Award (2007) Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film (1983) Nominated — TV Land Award for Most Wonderful Wedding (2006) |
1982 | Laverne & Shirley | Olga | Episode: "Jinxed" |
1983 | An Invasion of Privacy | Ilene Cohen | Television film |
American Playhouse | Lavinia | Episode: "Keeping On" | |
Faerie Tale Theatre | The "Good" Fairy | Episode: "Sleeping Beauty" | |
1984 | Burning Rage | Mary Harwood | Television film |
Cheers | Amanda Boyer | Episode: "A Ditch in Time" | |
1985 | Tales from the Darkside | Anne MacColl | Episode: "Snip, Snip" |
Crazy Like a Fox | Episode: "Bum Tip" | ||
1986 | Tall Tales & Legends | Barbara | Episode: "Casey at the Bat" |
All Is Forgiven | Nicolette Bingham | 9 episodes | |
1987 | Paul Reiser Out on a Whim | Fortune Teller | Television film |
1988 | Drop-Out Mother | Maxine | Television film |
Rap Master Ronnie: A Report Card | Television film | ||
1989–1994 | Sesame Street | Nina the Nice | Episode 2648: "Bob accompanies Oscar to Grouchytown"; archival footage |
1990 | Tales from the Crypt | Judy | Episode: "Judy, You're Not Yourself Today" |
Tiny Toon Adventures | Ollie (voice) | Episode: "A Quack in the Quarks" | |
1990–1991 | American Dreamer | Lillian Abernathy | 17 episodes |
1991–1992 | Brooklyn Bridge | Aunt Sylvia | 5 episodes |
1992 | Sibs | Sally | Episodes: "The Crash: Part 1", "The Crash: Part 2" |
The Ray Bradbury Theater | Polly | Episode: "Tomorrow's Child" | |
1993 | When a Stranger Calls Back | Jill Johnson | Television film |
TriBeCa | Amanda | Episode: "Stepping Back" | |
Eligible Dentist | Television film | ||
1994 | Seinfeld | Corinne | Episode: "The Marine Biologist" |
Aladdin | Brawnhilda (voice) | Episodes: "Stinkerbelle", "Smells Like Trouble" | |
Empty Nest | Shelby | Episode: "The Courtship of Carol's Father" | |
1995 | A.J.'s Time Travelers | Emily Roebling | Episode: "Brooklyn Bridge" |
Dad, the Angel & Me | The Angel | Television film | |
Napoleon | Spider (voice) | English version | |
Freaky Friday | Leanne Futterman | Television film | |
1996 | Chicago Hope | Marguerite Birch | Episode: "Stand" Nominated – Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (1996) |
Ellen | Lily Penney | Episode: "A Penney Saved" | |
1996–1997 | Pearl | Annie Caraldo | 22 episodes |
1997 | Hey Arnold! | Emily Dickinson Trophy (voice) | Episode: "Freeze Frame/Phoebe Cheats" |
The Tony Danza Show | Simka Gravaas | Episode: "The Milk Run" | |
Homicide: Life on the Street | Gwen Munch | Episode: "All Is Bright" | |
Merry Christmas, George Bailey | Cousin Tilly/Mrs. Hatch | Television film | |
1998 | The First Seven Years | Mrs. Feld | Television short |
Adventures from the Book of Virtues | The Beetle (voice) | Episode: "Patience" | |
Noddy | Tooth Fairy | Episode: "The Tooth Fairy" | |
1999 | Noah's Ark | Sarah | Television film |
Blue's Clues | Little Miss Muffet (voice) | Episode: "Blue's Big Treasure Hunt" | |
1999–2000 | Beggars and Choosers | Lydia Luddin | 3 episodes |
2000 | As Told by Ginger | Maude (voice) | Episodes: "I Spy a Witch"; "Carl and Maude" |
2001 | Family Guy | Carol (voice) | Episode: "Emission Impossible" |
2002 | That's Life | Gloria | Episode: "Baum's Thesis" |
The Grubbs | Sophie Grubb | Episode: "Pilot" | |
2003 | Audrey's Rain | Missy Flanders | Television film |
2004 | Hope & Faith | Cornelia Rackett | Episode: "Faith Scare-Field" |
2005 | The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy | Mrs. Claus (voice) | Episode: "Billy and Mandy Save Christmas" |
2006 | The Year Without a Santa Claus | Mother Nature | Television film; cameo |
2009 | Two and a Half Men | Shelly | Episodes: "Thank God for Scoliosis"; "David Copperfield Slipped Me a Roofie" |
Monk | Joy | Episode: "Mr. Monk Is the Best Man" | |
2009, 2013 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Gwen Munch | Episodes: "Zebras", "Wonderland Story" |
2010 | Ugly Betty | Lena Korvinka | Episode: "All the World's a Stage" |
2011 | Dora the Explorer | Grandma Troll (voice) | Episode: "The Grumpy Old Troll Gets Married" |
2011–2012 | Jake and the Never Land Pirates | Sea Witch (voice) | 2 episodes |
2011–2014 | Phineas and Ferb | Nana Shapiro (voice) | 2 episodes |
2013 | Girls | Cloris | Episode: "It's Back" |
Anger Management | Carol | Episode: "Charlie and His New Friend with Benefits" | |
2014–2016 | Gotham | Gertrud Kapelput | Recurring guest; 10 episodes |
2015–2020 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Lillian Kaushtupper | Main role; 42 episodes (seasons 1-4 and Kimmy vs the Reverend) |
2016 | Crowded | Linda | Episode: "Given to Fly" |
2017 | Halt and Catch Fire | Denise | Episode: "Ten of Swords" |
Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Dr. Jelly Goodwell (voice) | Episode: "Princess Turdina/Starfari" | |
2017–2019 | OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes | Ginger (voice) | 2 episodes |
2018 | Pinkalicious & Peterrific | Edna (voice) | 3 episodes |
Animals | Chompy (voice) | 2 episodes | |
2018–2021 | F Is for Family | Marilyn Chilson (voice) | 5 episodes |
Vampirina | Madame Spook (voice) | 2 episodes | |
2018–2019 | Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure | Madam Canardist (voice) | 3 episodes |
2019 | Los Espookys | Bianca Nova | 4 episodes |
Bubble Guppies | The Sea Witch (voice) | Episode: "The New Guppy!" | |
Big Mouth | The Menopause Banshee (voice) | Episode: "Florida" | |
Summer Camp Island | Barb Junior (voice) | Episode: "The Great Elf Invention Convention" | |
2020–2023 | Hunters | Mindy Markowitz | 18 episodes |
2022 | Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience | Grand-Mah (voice) | Television film |
The Simpsons | Blythe (voice) | Episode: "Step Brother from the Same Planet" | |
2023 | Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Pelia | Recurring |
2024 | Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur | Bube Bina (voice) | Episode: "Ride or Die" |
2024 | Dinner with the Parents | Nana | Main |
Stage
Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1972 | Ring Around the Bathtub | Esme Train | Broadway; Martin Beck Theatre | |
1978 | The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds | Tillie | Broadway; Biltmore Theatre | |
1987 | A Woman of Mystery | Un Named Woman | Los Angeles; Court Theatre | Directed by John Cassavetes |
2003 | The Exonerated | Sunny Jacobs | Touring | Replacement |
2004 | Sly Fox | Miss Fancy | Broadway; Ethel Barrymore Theatre | Replacement |
2005; 2007; 2008; 2009 |
Wicked | Madame Morrible | Touring | |
2006; 2013 | Broadway; Gershwin Theatre | Replacement | ||
2012 | Harvey | Betty Chumley | Broadway; Studio 54 |
Music videos
Year | Title | Artist(s) |
---|---|---|
1985 | "This Is My Night" | Chaka Khan |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | Academy Awards | Best Actress | Hester Street | Nominated |
1978 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds | Nominated |
1982 | AACTA Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Norman Loves Rose | Nominated |
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | Taxi | Won | |
1983 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series | Won | ||
Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | ||
1996 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Chicago Hope | Nominated |
2006 | TV Land Award | Most Wonderful Wedding | Taxi | Nominated |
2007 | Medallion Award | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Carol Kane para niños In Spanish: Carol Kane para niños