Lainie Kazan

Lainie Kazan made her Broadway debut in 1961 in "The Happiest Girl in the World". She soon followed the showing up with another, "Bravo Giovanni", and served as understudy backing up Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl", stepping up 18 months into the run when Streisand was hindered by a serious throat problem. Kazan would later appear in numerous supper clubs and was a guest on Dean Martin's variety series 26 times.

Kazan has made appearances on a number of television shows including a recurring role on Fran Dresher's sitcom "The Nanny" and as Kirstie Alley's mother on "Veronica's Closet". She also received an Emmy nomination for her guest work on "St. Elsewhere" as well as doing guest work for "The Paper Chase", "Touched by an Angel", and "Will & Grace".

Kazan has also done substantial work in a number of films over the years including "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". She has worked a number of times with Kevin James and Adam Sandler making an appearances in "The King of Queens" and "You Don't Mess with the Zohan".

Later in her career, Kazan decided to return to Broadway, recreating her film role in a musical adaptation of "My Favorite Year" for which she earned a Tony nomination. She has also done a great deal of work in regional theaters starring in "A Little Night Music", "Gypsy", and "Fiddler on the Roof" among others. She has performed on concert stages in Laws Vegas and Atlantic City and in joined the cast of "Desperate Housewives" for season 7. Hide