Lainie Kazan

Acting

Lainie Kazan

Born 15 May 1940 · New York City, New York, USA · 86

Lainie Kazan (born Lainie Levine; May 15, 1940) is an American actress, singer and classical composer. She was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for St. Elsewhere and the 1993 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for My Favorite Year. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in My Favorite Year (1982). Kazan played Maria Portokalos in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. She also played Aunt Freida on The Nanny. Description above from the Wikipedia article Lainie Kazan, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known for

Highlights

Grey's Anatomy2005 · Series · C.J.
Modern Family2009 · Series · Eleanor
Desperate Housewives2004 · Series · Maxine Rosen
The Nanny1993 · Series · Aunt Freida
Tales from the Crypt1989 · Series · Mrs. Grafungar
Columbo1971 · Series · Valerie Kirk

Filmography

Movies

64 films

Medium Rare Cold Case2025 · Film · Helga Costas
The Italians2025 · Film
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 32023 · Film · Maria Portokalos
Tango Shalom2021 · Film · Leah Zlotkin
The Amityville Murders2018 · Film · Nona
Garlic and Gunpowder2018 · Film · Rose Lusconi
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 22016 · Film · Maria Portokalos
Pixels2015 · Film · Mickey Lamonsoff
Pearly Gates2015 · Film · Millie
The Cookie Mobster2014 · Film · Mamma
I'm a Mitzvah2014 · Film · Mrs. Cohen
Finding Joy2013 · Film · Gloria
Divorce Invitation2012 · Film · Elaine lipnick
Heroes & Demons2012 · Film · Sharon Klublersurf (segment "Ollie Klublershturf vs. The Nazis")
Expecting Mary2010 · Film · Lillian Littlefeather
Ollie Klublershturf vs. the Nazis2010 · Film · Sharon Klublershturf
Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!2010 · Film · Shirley Hirsch
You Don't Mess with the Zohan2008 · Film · Gail Klayman
Beau Jest2008 · Film · Miriam Goldman
Bratz2007 · Film · Bubbie
Red Riding Hood2006 · Film · Grandma
The Engagement Ring2005 · Film · Alicia Rosa Anselmi
Gigli2003 · Film · Mother
A Good Night to Die2003 · Film · Diane
Tempted2003 · Film · Julia
Eight Crazy Nights2002 · Film · Old Woman (singing voice)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding2002 · Film · Maria Portokalos
The Crew2000 · Film · Pepper Lowenstein
Bruno2000 · Film · Sister Mary Perpetua
If You Only Knew2000 · Film · Bess
What's Cooking?2000 · Film · Ruth 'Ruthie' Seelig
The Unknown Cyclist1998 · Film · Rachel
Permanent Midnight1998 · Film · Jerry's Mother at Funeral
The Big Hit1998 · Film · Jeanne Shulman
Safety Patrol!1998 · Film · Mrs. Day
Allie & Me1997 · Film · Camille Alexander
The Associate1996 · Film · Cindy Mason
Love Is All There Is1996 · Film · Sadie Capomezzo
Prince for a Day1995 · Film · Rose
The Cemetery Club1993 · Film · Selma
I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore1992 · Film · Sarah Fishbine
29th Street1991 · Film · Mrs. Pesce
Earthday Birthday1990 · Film · (voice)
Hägar the Horrible1989 · Film · Helga
Beaches1988 · Film · Leona Bloom
Out of the Dark1988 · Film · Nancy
Harry and the Hendersons1987 · Film · Irene Moffitt
Medium Rare1987 · Film · Helga Costas
The Delta Force1986 · Film · Sylvia Goldman
The Journey of Natty Gann1985 · Film · Connie
Dancing in the Wings1985 · Film · Vera
Lust in the Dust1985 · Film · Marguerita Ventura
The Adventures of a Two-Minute Werewolf1985 · Film · Madam Zola
Obsessive Love1984 · Film · Margaret Chase
Pinocchio1984 · Film · Sophia, the Blue Fairy
The Jerk, Too1984 · Film · Card Player
Sunset Limousine1983 · Film · Jessie Durning
My Favorite Year1982 · Film · Belle Carroca
One from the Heart1982 · Film · Maggie
Abraham's Sacrifice1979 · Film · Hagar
A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story1978 · Film · Sophie Tucker
Romance of a Horsethief1971 · Film · Estusha
Lady in Cement1968 · Film · Maria Baretto
Dayton's Devils1968 · Film · Leda Martell

Filmography

Series

34 shows

Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures2023 · Series · Farmer Weebo (voice)
The Kominsky Method2018 · Series · Norman's Grandmother
Fuller House2016 · Series · Irma
Young & Hungry2014 · Series · Susie
Jessie2011 · Series · Wanda Winkle
Modern Family2009 · Series · Eleanor
Ugly Betty2006 · Series · Dina Talercio
'Til Death2006 · Series · Donna
Living with Fran2005 · Series
Grey's Anatomy2005 · Series · C.J.
Boston Legal2004 · Series · Judge Paula Stern
Desperate Housewives2004 · Series · Maxine Rosen
My Big Fat Greek Life2003 · Series · Maria Portokalos
Strong Medicine2000 · Series · Mrs. Biancavilla
The King of Queens1998 · Series · Ava St. Clair
Will & Grace1998 · Series · Aunt Honey
The Wonderful World of Disney1997 · Series · Mrs. Day
Veronica's Closet1997 · Series · Dottie
Life's Work1996 · Series
Touched by an Angel1994 · Series · Doris Bernstein
The Nanny1993 · Series · Aunt Freida
Animaniacs1993 · Series · Molly (voice)
Beverly Hills, 902101990 · Series · Rose Zuckerman
Tales from the Crypt1989 · Series · Mrs. Grafungar
Amazing Stories1985 · Series · Sister Teresa
Murder, She Wrote1984 · Series · Anna Grimaldi
St. Elsewhere1982 · Series · Frieda Fiscus
Faerie Tale Theatre1982 · Series · Sophia, the Blue Fairy
Hotel1982 · Series · Fay Wells
The Paper Chase1978 · Series · Rose Samuels
When Things Were Rotten1975 · Series · Tania
Baretta1975 · Series
Columbo1971 · Series · Valerie Kirk
Ben Casey1961 · Series