Carol Kane (Actor)

Actress Carol Kane arrives at the premiere of United 93. (Photo: Evan Agostini / Getty Images)

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).