Carol Kane life and biography

Carolyn Laurie "Carol" Kane

Big-eyed, waif-like character actress who, since her film debut in "Carnal Knowledge" (1971), has distinguished herself in films and TV in varied roles. Kane gained national recognition and an Oscar nomination playing Gitl, the newly arrived immigrant wife, in "Hester Street" (1975). She went on to deliver a memorable series of understated characterizations that showcased her slightly whimsical, dotty quality and her gift for comedy, including Allison, Woody Allen's first wife--a woman who won't let the Warren Commission ruin her marriage--in "Annie Hall" (1977); "Myth" in "The Muppet Movie" (1979); Valerie, the wife of Billy Crystal's Miracle Max, in "The Princess Bride" (1987); the Ghost of Christmas Present in "Scrooged" (1988); and Granny Addams in "Addams Family Values" (1993). Her other feature credits include "The Last Detail" (1973), "Dog Day Afternoon" (1975), "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986), "My Blue Heaven" (1990) and "The Pallbearer" (1996), as David Schwimmer's mother.

Kane garnered two Emmys playing Simka Gravas, the squeaky-voiced "mountain person" married to Andy Kaufman on the splendid sitcom "Taxi" (ABC, 1981-82; NBC, 1982-83). She has since remained a frequent presence on TV, appearing in dramas and comedies on PBS, TV movies, guest shots, and stints as a regular or recurring character on various short-lived series, notably as the bohemian Aunt Sylvia on the CBS series "Brooklyn Bridge". She returned as a series regular on "Pearl" (CBS, 1996-97), co-starring with Rhea Perlman and Malcolm McDowell.

The seasoned actress continued to appear regularly on both the big screen and television shows. She was a frequent and always colorful guest such shows as "Ellen" and "Hey Arnold" and even lended her distinctive voice to an episode of "The Family Guy" in 2001. In film, Kane could be seen playing the guidance counselor in the teen black comedy "Jawbreaker" in 1999 as well as in the Andy Kaufman bio "Man on the Moon." In 2002, she returned as a series regular in the FOX sitcom "The Grubbs" where Kane played opposite Randy Quaid as the heads of a quirky family who perpetually embarrass their young son.

^ Additionally, Kane has had an impressive stage career, appearing in the Lincoln Center productions of "Macbeth" and "The Tempest" (both 1980), under the direction of Joseph Papp. She also starred in Terrence McNally's "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" (1988), and Beth Henley's "Debutante Ball" (1988).

In early 2006, Kane began a ten month run in the Broadway musical Wicked, playing Madame Morrible, a role which she had previously played in the show's first national tour. She also appeared in the NBC television live action production of The Year Without a Santa Claus in December 2006. She recently reprised the role of Madame Morrible in the open-ended Los Angeles production of Wicked, which opened on February 21, 2007, at the Pantages Theatre. She left the production on December 30, 2007, along with co-stars Eden Espinosa and Adam Wylie. Kane was replaced by Jo Anne Worley. Kane returned to the Los Angeles company of Wicked on August 26, 2008, to once again play the role of Madame Morrible and stayed with the production until it closed on January 11, 2009. She played Madame Morrible again in the San Francisco production of Wicked which began performances January 27, 2009, at the Orpheum Theatre for a limited engagement. She ended her run on March 22, 2009 and was succeeded by Patty Duke. She currently holds the record for the most performances as Madame Morrible.

In January 2009, Kane appeared in the TV series Two and a Half Men as the mother of Alan Harper's receptionist.

She stars in the Off-Broadway play, Love, Loss, and What I Wore beginning February 3, 2010.

In March 2010, Kane appeared in the TV series "Ugly Betty" as Justin Suarez's acting teacher.

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