Who’s Carol Kane?
Carol is an American actress renowned for her versatile performances across film, television, and stage. She is most famous for her Oscar-nominated role as Gitl in the film “Hester Street” (1975). Kane has exhibited exceptional talent in various genres, displaying comedic prowess as Valerie in “The Princess Bride” (1987) and capturing hearts with her poignant portrayal as Ghost of Christmas Present in “Scrooged” (1988). Her career spans decades, making her a respected figure in the entertainment industry.
What is Carol Kane Doing Now?
Carol is now in her 70s and is still active as an actress. Recently, she has portrayed Mindy Markowitz in the TV series “Hunters” (2020-2023) and is working on several projects, including the films “Should’ve Been Romeo”, and the TV series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”.
Carol Kane Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Carol Laurie Kane was born on 18 June 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, the daughter of Joy Kane, a jazz singer, and Michael Kane, an architect; of Jewish ancestry, her parents divorced when she was 12 years old. As for her education, Kane attended the Professional Children’s School in New York City, then the Cherry Lawn School, a boarding school in Darien, Connecticut, until 1965 and studied theater at HB Studio.
Career Beginnings and Early Success in Film
Carol Kane made her debut in the film industry with a role in “Carnal Knowledge” in 1971. Directed by Mike Nichols, the movie explores the complex relationships and sexual experiences of two men played by Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel – Kane’s character is Jennifer, a young woman caught in the midst of their turbulent lives.
Two years later, Kane took on a starring role in “The Last Detail”, directed by Hal Ashby. The film follows two Navy men, played by Jack Nicholson and Otis Young, who are assigned to escort a young sailor, played by Randy Quaid, to prison. Kane portrays the character of a young woman named Mulhall, whom they encounter during their journey.
Continuing her career trajectory, Carol Kane achieved notable success in subsequent years with a series of impressive roles. In 1975, she delivered outstanding performances in two notable films. Firstly, in “Hester Street”, Kane portrayed Gitl, a Jewish immigrant navigating the challenges of assimilation in early 20th-century America. Her portrayal earned critical acclaim and garnered her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Additionally, in “Dog Day Afternoon”, she showcased her versatility as she played the role of Jenny, the wife of a bank robber portrayed by Al Pacino.
In 1977, Kane further demonstrated her talent by appearing in two notable films. In Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall”, she had the supporting role as Allison, the eccentric and unpredictable sister of the main character, played by Diane Keaton. Her performance added a delightful touch to the film’s comedic ensemble. Additionally, Kane starred in “The World’s Greatest Lover”, in which she displayed her comedic prowess alongside Gene Wilder in this satirical comedy about a man trying to make it in Hollywood.
Continuing her success in the late 1970s, Kane took on a leading role in the 1979 thriller “When a Stranger Calls”. Portraying Jill Johnson, a babysitter terrorized by a mysterious caller, she delivered a suspenseful and intense performance that demonstrated her ability to captivate audiences and heighten tension onscreen.
Continued Success
Following her early successes, Carol Kane continued to make significant contributions to the entertainment industry. From 1981 to 1983, she portrayed the memorable character of Simka Dahblitz-Gravas on the beloved TV series “Taxi”. Kane’s portrayal of Simka, the wife of Latka Gravas, played by Andy Kaufman, earned her widespread acclaim and two well-deserved Emmy Awards for her exceptional performance.
Kane added another notable role to her repertoire in 1987, when she joined the cast of “The Princess Bride”. This timeless fantasy adventure film, directed by Rob Reiner, featured Kane as Valerie, the wife of Miracle Max (played by Billy Crystal). Her comedic timing and memorable presence contributed to the film’s enduring popularity.
Continuing her diverse range of roles, Kane appeared in the comedy experiment “Rap Master Ronnie: A Report Card” in 1988. With the Smothers Brothers and Jon Cryer, she showed her comedic talents in this unique project.
Carol Kane plays Gertrud Kapelput! (my mom) IRL I love her and she lives 2 blocks away from me! #Gotham pic.twitter.com/NjkyxUQ82d
— Robin Lord Taylor (@robinlordtaylor) September 30, 2014
The same year, Kane starred in the film “Scrooged”, a comedic adaptation of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”. Directed by Richard Donner, the movie starred Bill Murray and featured Kane in a supporting role that garnered praise from critics. Variety even described her as the “pic’s comic highlight”.
In 1989, Kane took on the lead role in the film “Flashback”, alongside Dennis Hopper. The movie follows the story of an undercover FBI agent and a former radical activist, played by Hopper, as they embark on a cross-country journey. Kane’s performance in the film highlighted her acting prowess and ability to bring depth to her characters.
The ’90s
In the 1990s, Carol Kane continued to show her versatility and talent across various projects. In 1990, she became a regular cast member on the television series “American Dreamer”. In this comedy-drama, Kane played the role of Libby Chester, the wife of a recently deceased novelist who finds herself inheriting his debt and embarking on a journey of self-discovery. Her portrayal brought a mix of humor and heart to the show, capturing the attention of audiences.
In 1994, Kane made a memorable guest appearance on an episode of the highly acclaimed sitcom “Seinfeld”. She portrayed Corinne, a woman with an unusual laugh, who ends up going on a date with Jerry Seinfeld’s character.
Kane took on a supporting role in the sitcom “Pearl” in 1996. Starring Rhea Perlman in the titular role, the series follows the life of a middle-aged woman who pursues her dream of higher education.
She finished the decade with a special cameo appearance in the biographical film “Man on the Moon”. Directed by Miloš Forman, the movie portrayed the life of the eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman, played by Jim Carrey. Kane reprised her beloved “Taxi” character, Simka Dahblitz-Gravas, in a heartwarming scene that paid tribute to her real-life friendship with Kaufman.
The 2000s
In 2001, she appeared in the short film “D.C. Smalls” as Mother. Additionally, she played the role of Mrs Benson in the feature film “My First Mister”, starring opposite Albert Brooks. The same year, Kane portrayed Dr. Louise Rosenberg in the feature film “The Shrink Is In”. Although the film received mixed reviews, Kane’s performance as the quirky therapist brought out her comedic abilities.
In 2002, Kane appeared in the feature film “Love in the Time of Money” as Joey, a character entangled in a complex web of relationships. Two years later, Carol took on the role of Miss Baggoli in the feature film “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”, starring opposite Lindsay Lohan.
Later Career and Recent Work
Carol Kane continued to make notable appearances across various mediums, demonstrating her versatility as an actress, though slowing down when compared to previous decades, but still had significant roles in the industry. In 2009, Kane appeared in an episode of the popular TV series “Two and a Half Men” alongside stars Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer, portraying the mother of Alan Harper’s receptionist, which resulted in a rather comedic catharsis.
The following year, Kane played Justin Suarez’s acting teacher in the hit TV series “Ugly Betty”, sharing the screen with America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams.
Additionally, during the same year, she starred in the off-Broadway play “Love, Loss, and What I Wore”, sharing the stage with a rotating cast of talented actresses.
In 2012, Kane made a notable appearance on Broadway as Betty Chumley in a revival of the play “Harvey”, starring alongside Jim Parsons. Sharing the stage with other talented actors, she brought depth and humor to her portrayal, leaving a lasting impact on theatergoers.
In 2014, Kane took on a recurring role in the TV series “Gotham”, appearing alongside Ben McKenzie and Robin Lord Taylor, then the following year Kane joined the cast of Netflix’s acclaimed series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” as Lillian Kaushtupper, sharing the screen with Ellie Kemper and Tituss Burgess. Her portrayal of the eccentric and spirited character garnered praise from critics and audiences alike; she reprised the role in the television movie “Kimmy vs. the Reverend”.
Recently, it was announced that Kane would be joining the cast of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” as Chief Engineer Pelia, alongside Anson Mount and Rebecca Romijn.
Net Worth
According to authoritative sources, Carol Kane’s net worth is estimated at $3 million as of mid-2023.
Personal Life, Marriage, Husband, Children
Carol Kane has never been married and has no children. She is very secretive about her relationships; it’s only known that she dated actor Woody Harrelson in the mid- ’80s, so is unattached in mid-2023
Appearance and Body Measurements
Carol Kane has brown eyes and blonde hair. She stands at 5ft 2ins (1.58m), weighs approximately 130lbs (58kgs), with vital statistics of 35-28-36, bra size 35B.
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