Lainie Kazan

Kazan's early life was steeped in the arts. She attended Erasmus Hall High School with Barbra Streisand, later understudying for her in Funny Girl. She studied theatre at HB Studio and graduated from Hofstra University in 1960, where she appeared in musicals written and directed by classmate Francis Ford Coppola. Her career took off after her Broadway debut, and she soon gained recognition for her powerful voice and commanding presence. She posed for Playboy in 1970, which led to her headlining two Playboy Jazz Clubs, one in Los Angeles and one in Manhattan. Her look even inspired a superheroine in comic books.

Over the years, Kazan has amassed an impressive list of credits. She earned an Emmy nomination for her guest role on St. Elsewhere and a Tony nomination for the musical My Favorite Year, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for the film version. She played Maria Portokalos in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise and Aunt Freida on The Nanny. Other television appearances include The King of Queens, Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives, and Ugly Betty. She has also worked extensively in regional theatre, with roles in productions like Gypsy, Hello, Dolly!, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Kazan's personal life has had its share of challenges and achievements. She overcame a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis and has since advocated for public education about the condition. In 2016, she was injured in a car accident, and in 2017, she faced a shoplifting arrest, which was resolved with a plea deal. More recently, she spoke out about alleged sexual harassment by Jerry Lewis. Despite these hurdles, she continues to be active in her craft and in education, having served as an adjunct professor at UCLA and on boards of several organizations. At 84, her legacy is a testament to her resilience and talent.