Ilene Graff
Ilene Graff | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 18, 1949 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1979–present |
| Known for | Marsha Cameron Owens in Mr. Belvedere |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Nikka Graff Lanzarone |
| Relatives |
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| Website | ilenegraff |
Ilene Graff (born February 18, 1949[1]) is an American actress and singer.[2]
Early years
[edit]Graff was born on February 28, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York,[1] the daughter of musician Jerry Graff, and piano teacher Judy Graff.[3] She attended Ithaca College.[4]
Life and career
[edit]Graff's Broadway credits include Promises, Promises, Grease, and I Love My Wife.[1] On television, Graff portrayed Penny Whitaker on Supertrain.[5] Her other television work includes Barnaby Jones, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, Three's Company, Lewis & Clark, and St. Elsewhere. From 1985 until 1990, she played what is possibly her best known role, Marsha Cameron Owens, the wife of Bob Uecker's character, George, in the sitcom Mr. Belvedere.[6]
In addition to her roles on television, Graff also appeared in the motion picture Ladybugs playing the girlfriend of Rodney Dangerfield and mother of Jonathan Brandis. Her recent screen credits include films The Things We Carry, Ma-i pa-deo, and Loving Annabelle.
Personal life
[edit]
While performing in Grease Graff met and married composer Ben Lanzarone, and they have one daughter, Nikka, born 1983. Graff is the older sister of Tony Award-nominated actor, film producer, writer, film director and former Short Circus member Todd Graff and cousin of Tony winner Randy Graff.[7] She serves as the spokesman for the AMC Cancer Research Center.[citation needed]
Select filmography
[edit]- Hart of Dixie .... Ellen Aim (6 episodes, 2011-2015)
- The Things We Carry (2009) .... Ellen Aim
- My Father (2007) .... Nancy Parker ... aka Ellen Aim (South Korea: DVD title)
- Loving Annabelle (2006) .... Mother Immaculata
- Living with Fran .... Jessica (1 episode, 2006)
- Haunted .... Emily Eastway (1 episode, 2002)
- South Pacific (2001) (TV) .... Singing Ngana ... aka Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific (USA: complete title)
- Touched by an Angel .... Gloria Brewer (1 episode, 1997)
- Abandoned and Deceived (1995) (TV)
- Sisters.... Cynthia (1 episode, 1994)
- Ladybugs (1992) .... Bess
- Walter & Emily .... Dr. Barbara Morris (1 episode, 1992)
- Opposites Attract (1990) (TV) .... Frannie
- Mr. Belvedere .... Marsha Cameron Owens (117 episodes, 1985–1990)
- Jury Duty: The Comedy (1990; TV) .... Marilyn Worth ... aka The Great American Sex Scandal
- New Love, American Style (1 episode, 1986) .... Love at First Sight/Love and the Judge (1986; TV)
- St. Elsewhere .... Heidi Brechman (1 episode, 1985)
- Earthlings (1984) (TV) .... Jane Lassiter
- The Paper Chase.... Carolyn (1 episode, 1983)
- Three's Company .... Daphne Smith (1 episode, 1983)
- Charley's Aunt (1983; TV) .... Kitty Verdun
- Remington Steele.... Ivy Shapiro (1 episode, 1982)
- Madame's Place.... Gloria Beecham Meade (1 episode, 1982)
- Mork & Mindy .... Tracy /Receptionist ... (4 episodes, 1981-1982)
- Lewis & Clark .... Alicia Lewis (3 episodes, 1981)
- Laverne & Shirley .... Monique Dobson (1 episode, 1980)
- Beulah Land (1980; TV mini-series) .... Annabel Davis
- Angie.... Debbie (1 episode, 1980)
- Supertrain .... Penny Whitaker (3 episodes, 1979)
- Barnaby Jones .... Stephanie Capello (2 episodes, 1979)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Ilene Graff". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
- ^ "Coming soon to TV CONFIDENTIAL: Singer/actress Ilene Graff (MR. BELVEDERE) on working with vocal students of all ages and backgrounds in her performance workshops, MAKING THE SONG YOUR OWN; being directed by Penny Marshall in the Dating Game episode of LAVERNE & SHIRLEY; and how being an understudy for the stage is not unlike sitting in the bullpen at Dodger Stadium. To learn more about MAKING THE SONG YOUR OWN, or to sign up for the Spring semester, visit IleneGraff.com |".
- ^ Wyckoff, Mark (January 2, 2009). "Broadway reverie". Ventura County Star. p. 44. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ilene Graff breaks out of stereotyped role". Elizabethton Star. July 16, 1985. p. 7. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'If I Weren't An actress, I'd Be A Blimp'". Sunday News. Pennsylvania, Lancaster. April 22, 1979. p. TV Week - 48. Retrieved March 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The Mom on "Mr. Belvedere": 'Memba Her?!". 3 December 2008.
- ^ "highlighthollywood.com".
External links
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
- Living people
- Actresses from Queens, New York
- American film actresses
- American musical theatre actresses
- American stage actresses
- American television actresses
- Ithaca College alumni
- Martin Van Buren High School alumni
- Musicians from Queens, New York
- Singers from New York City
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses