Ilene Graff

Ilene Graff
Born
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma materIthaca College
Years active1979–present
Known forMarsha Cameron Owens in Mr. Belvedere
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1978; died 2024)​
ChildrenNikka Graff Lanzarone
Websitehttp://ilenegraff.com

Ilene Graff is an American actress and singer.[1]

Life and career

The Queens, New York native began her professional career as a teenager when she performed as a background singer and commercial actress while attending Martin Van Buren High School in Queens Village. She graduated from Ithaca College in 1970.[citation needed]

Graff's Broadway credits include Promises, Promises, Grease, and I Love My Wife. Her 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.[2]

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

Graff and Husband Ben Lanzarone in 2013

Graff is the daughter of Jerry Graff,[citation needed] a member of the musical group The Pied Pipers. While performing in Grease she 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.[3] She serves as the spokesman for the AMC Cancer Research Center.[citation needed]

Select filmography

  • 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

  1. ^ "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 |".
  2. ^ "The Mom on "Mr. Belvedere": 'Memba Her?!". 3 December 2008.
  3. ^ "highlighthollywood.com".