Marilu Henner

Marilu Henner
Henner in 2011
Born (1952-04-06) April 6, 1952 (age 72)[1]
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • author
  • producer
  • host
Years active1971–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1980; div. 1982)​
​
​
(m. 1990; div. 2001)​
Michael Brown
​
(m. 2006)​
Children2
Websitemarilu.com

Marilu Henner (born April 6, 1952) is an American actress. She began her career appearing in the original production of the musical Grease in 1971, before making her screen debut in the 1977 comedy-drama film Between the Lines. In 1978, Henner was cast in her breakthrough role as Elaine O'Connor Nardo in the ABC/NBC sitcom Taxi, a role she played until 1983 and for which she received five Golden Globe Award nominations.[2]

Henner later had co-starring roles in films such as Hammett (1982), The Man Who Loved Women (1983), Cannonball Run II (1984), Johnny Dangerously (1984), Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985), Ladykillers (1988), L.A. Story (1991), and Noises Off (1992). She returned to television with a starring role in the CBS sitcom Evening Shade (1990–1994), and had leading roles in many television films.

Early life

Henner was born on April 6, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois, as the daughter of Loretta Callis (born Nikoleta Kalogeropoulos), who died of complications of arthritis at age 58[3] and Joseph Henner (whose surname was originally Pudlowski), who died of a heart attack at age 52.[4] She is of Greek and Polish descent.[5]

Career

While a student at the University of Chicago in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago,[6] Henner originated the role of "Marty" in the Kingston Mines production of Grease in 1971. When the show was discovered and moved to Broadway, she was asked to reprise the role; however, she chose instead to play "Marty" in the national touring company alongside John Travolta, who played "Doody". Additional Broadway credits for Henner include Over Here! with Travolta, revivals of Pal Joey, Chicago, Social Security, and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. Her first film appearance was in 1977 sleeper-hit Between the Lines, co-starring then-unknowns Jeff Goldblum, Lindsay Crouse, John Heard, and Jill Eikenberry. Her second role was opposite Richard Gere in the 1978 film Bloodbrothers.

Henner came to prominence with the role of Elaine Nardo in the situation comedy Taxi, portraying a single mother working as a cabbie who aspired to be an artist. She was the leading lady in the 1982 film Hammett directed by Wim Wenders, produced by Francis Ford Coppola and starring her first husband Frederic Forrest. In 1983, Henner starred opposite Burt Reynolds in The Man Who Loved Women, directed by Blake Edwards. Reynolds then asked Henner to join the cast of Cannonball Run II later that year along with Shirley MacLaine and Dom DeLuise. She was the leading lady in the 1984 film Johnny Dangerously, playing the love interest to Michael Keaton. In 1985, she once again appeared alongside John Travolta in Perfect. In 1991, she appeared opposite Steve Martin in L.A. Story as Trudi, a role for which she received a nomination for an American Comedy Award as the Funniest Supporting Female in a Motion Picture. From 1990 through 1994, she appeared opposite Burt Reynolds in the situation comedy Evening Shade, which also starred Ossie Davis and Hal Holbrook. She also appeared in Noises Off (1992) and in Man on the Moon (1999), a film about her Taxi co-star Andy Kaufman. Henner played herself (as well as herself playing her Taxi character).

Henner at the 1991 Emmy Awards

Henner guested on Match Game and Hollywood Squares. She provided the voice for Gotham City socialite Veronica Vreeland in Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1999), reprising the role in the animated films Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) and Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998). In 1994, she hosted her own daytime talk show, Marilu, for 165 episodes.

Henner starred as the domineering mother of the bride in the Brooks & Dunn video "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl" in 2003.

In 2006 and 2007, Henner was the host of the television series America's Ballroom Challenge. Henner said on an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, in early 2008, that she has never actually danced ballroom and would like to go on a season of Dancing with the Stars, which would later come true in 2016 for the season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. She later hosted FitTV and The Discovery Channel's Shape Up Your Life, which is based on her books.

Henner was a contestant on NBC's first The Celebrity Apprentice, in 2008. She was fired by Donald Trump in the eighth episode but was brought back to help fellow contestant Trace Adkins in the final task of the show.[citation needed]

Henner, who has hyperthymesia, was a consultant for the CBS drama Unforgettable, which starred Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, a woman with the same ability. Henner guest-starred as Carrie's aunt.[7]

Henner in July 2010

In August 2012, Henner won $25,000 for the charity Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) as a celebrity contestant on Live! with Kelly "Grilling with the Stars" contest for her Healthy/Easy Grilled Mushroom and Heirloom Tomato dish. Henner has written nine books on diet, health and memory, the most prominent being Total Health Makeover, in which she explains the virtues of a non-dairy diet in conjunction with food combining and exercise. She leads monthly classes on her website, www.marilu.com, designed to help people integrate these steps into a healthier, more active lifestyle. Both of her parents died in their 50s, which prompted her to lead a healthier lifestyle. She hosted The Art of Living, produced by United States Media Television. [citation needed]

Henner rejoined the cast for its 13th season on The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice where she was joined by fellow Apprentice alumni. She played for her charity The Alzheimer's Association and won over $50,000 for the cause. She returned, after being eliminated, for the final task to assist Trace Adkins. In 2013, Henner made a guest appearance on Brooklyn Nine-Nine for 5 episodes.

On August 30, 2016, she was revealed as one of the celebrities who would compete on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with professional dancer Derek Hough.[8] Henner and Hough were eliminated on the ninth week of competition and finished in sixth place.

On July 10, 2018, she appeared as a "guestpert" on the podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me. In 2018, Henner appeared on the first season of The Neighborhood, a CBS series starring Cedric the Entertainer, Tichina Arnold and Beth Behrs. Henner appeared in episode 8 of the first season titled, “Welcome to Thanksgiving”.[citation needed]

Personal life

She has two sons, Nicholas and Joseph, from her second marriage to Robert Lieberman.[9][3]

On December 19, 2010, Henner was featured on the U.S. television program 60 Minutes for her superior autobiographical memory ability. Henner claimed she could remember almost every day of her life since she was 11 years old.[10]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Between the Lines Danielle
1978 Bloodbrothers Annette Palladino
1982 Hammett Kit Conger / Sue Alabama
1983 The Man Who Loved Women Agnes Chapman
1984 Cannonball Run II Betty
1984 Johnny Dangerously Lil Sheridan
1985 Rustlers' Rhapsody Miss Tracy
1985 Perfect Sally
1987 Grand Larceny 'Freddy' Grand
1991 L.A. Story Trudi
1991 Chains of Gold Jackie
1992 Noises Off Belinda Blair / Flavia Brent
1994 Chasers Katie
1998 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero Veronica Vreeland Voice, direct-to-video[11]
1999 Man on the Moon Herself Uncredited cameo
1999 The Titanic Chronicles Mrs. Stuart While Voice
2000 Enemies of Laughter Dani
2012 Vamps Angela Horowitz
2016 Imperfections Val
2018 Life with Dog Alice
2020 The Mimic The Assistant Editor
2023 Haunted Mansion Carol Tourist cameo

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Off Campus Janet Television film
1978 The Paper Chase Susu (pizza girl)[12] Pilot episode
1978–1983 Taxi Elaine O'Connor Nardo Main role; 114 episodes
1981 Dream House Laura Griffith Television film
1983 Super Bowl XVII Pre-Game Show Elaine Nardo Television film
1985 Stark Ashley Walters Television film
1985 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Claire Episode: "Method Actor"
1985 Great Performances Louise Episode: "Grown-Ups"
1986 Who's the Boss? Diane Wilmington Episode: "Angela's New Best Friend"
1986 Love with the Perfect Stranger Victoria Ducane Television film
1988 Channel 99 Susan McDowell Television film
1988 Ladykillers Samantha Flannery Television film
1990–1994 Evening Shade Ava Evans Newton Main role; 98 episodes
1992 The Legend of Prince Valiant Lady Catherine Episode: "The Trap"
1993–1995 Batman: The Animated Series Veronica Vreeland Voice, 4 episodes[11]
1995 Cybill Terry Belmont Episode: "Since I Lost My Baby"
1995 Fight for Justice: The Nancy Conn Story Nancy Conn Television film
1996 My Son Is Innocent Margaret Sutter Television film
1996 For the Future: The Irvine Fertility Scandal Debbie Challender Television film
1996 Titanic Molly Brown Miniseries
1997–1998 The New Batman Adventures Veronica Vreeland Voice, 2 episodes[11]
2000 A Tale of Two Bunnies Miranda Television film
2000 Rocket's Red Glare Meg Baker Television film
2002 Providence Georgia 2 episodes
2002 Greg the Bunny Maggie DeMontague Episode: "Blah Bawls"
2004 Center of the Universe Sharon Singleton Episode: "Alarmed and Dangerous"
2005 Living With Fran Donna Martin Episode: "Riley's Parents"
2005 Gone But Not Forgotten Nancy Gordon Television film
2005 The Comeback Herself Episode: "Pilot"
2006–2007 America's Ballroom Challenge Host Reality-competition series
2008 Good Behavior Sydney Lake Unsold television pilot
2008 The Governor's Wife Ann Danville Television film
2008 My Boys Pamela Newman Episode: "John, Cougar, Newman Camp"
2009 ER Linda Episode: "And in the End..."
2009 Party Down Pepper McMasters Episode: "Pepper McMasters Singles Seminar"
2010 Numb3rs Regina Landers Episode: "And the Winner Is..."
2011 Accidentally in Love Carol Television film (Hallmark)
2011 Grey's Anatomy Mrs. Moser Episode: "Poker Face"
2011 Unforgettable Aunt Evie Episode: "Golden Bird"
2012 Holiday High School Reunion Beverly Hunt Television film
2012 Hitched for the Holidays Maxine Greene Television film
2013 Two and a Half Men Linda Episode: "Cows, Prepare to Be Tipped"
2013 The Glades Joan Longworth 2 episodes
2014 June in January Diana Blackwell Television film (Hallmark)
2014 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Vivian Ludley 5 episodes
2014 Phineas and Ferb Nana's Friend Voice, episode: "Operation Crumb Cake"[11]
2014 Signed, Sealed, Delivered[13] Glynis Rucker Guest star; 2 episodes
2014 The Crazy Ones Paige Roberts Episode: "The Lighthouse"
2015 A Bone To Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2015 Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2016 In-Lawfully Yours Naomi Television film
2016 Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2016 Love on a Limb Zee Roarke Television film (Hallmark)
2016 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant on season 23
2016 The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2017 Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2017 A Bundle of Trouble: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2018 Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2018 Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2018 The Disappearing Game: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2018 The Neighborhood Paula Episode: "Welcome to Thanksgiving"
2019 A Game of Cat and Mouse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2019 An Inheritance to Die For: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2019 A Very Foul Play: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2020 Heist and Seek: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2020 Reunited and it Feels So Deadly: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2020 Love, Lights, Hanukkah Ruth Television film (Hallmark)
2020 Bob Hearts Abishola Trish Dolan Episode: "There's My Nigerians"[14]
2021 How to Con a Con: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2021 Til Death Do Us Part: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2021 Honeymoon, Honeymurder: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2021 A Kiss Before Christmas Rona Bellingham Television film (Hallmark)
2022 Haunted By Murder: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)
2022 A Kismet Christmas Grandma Mia Television film (Hallmark)
2023 NCIS: Los Angeles Elizabeth Killbride Episode: "A Farewell to Arms"
2023 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New Aida Teagarden Television film (Hallmark)

Published books

  • By All Means Keep On Moving (September 5, 1994)
  • Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover (May 6, 1998)
  • The 30-Day Total Health Makeover (March 3, 1999)
  • I Refuse to Raise a Brat (October 12, 1999)
  • Healthy Life Kitchen (July 10, 2000)
  • Healthy Kids: Help Them Eat Smart and Stay Active—for Life! (August 7, 2001)
  • Healthy Holidays (October 1, 2002)
  • Wear Your Life Well: Use What You Have to Get What You Want (April 8, 2008)
  • Total Memory Makeover: Uncover Your Past, Take Charge of Your Future (April 24, 2012)

References

  1. ^ "Marilu Henner". TCM. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "Marilu Henner". www.goldenglobes.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b Marilu Henner (Taxi) Interview at 8th Annual TV LAND Awards. YouTube. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  4. ^ Henner, Marilu; Jerome, Jim (1995). By All Means Keep on Moving. Pocket Star Books. ISBN 9780671537050. Retrieved June 22, 2015 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Kennedy, Mark (August 19, 2018). "All the days of her life". Telegram & Gazette. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023.
  6. ^ Golus, Carrie (Summer 2013). "Permanent Record: For Marilu Henner, it's like her entire life happened yesterday". The Core: The College Magazine. University of Chicago. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  7. ^ Keck, William. "Hello, Marilu". TV Guide. September 12, 2011. Page 11
  8. ^ "'DWTS' 2016 Celebrity Cast Revealed: Ryan Lochte, Amber Rose, Rick Perry Among Star Lineup". Good Morning America: Yahoo. August 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  9. ^ Brown, Bob (June 13, 2007). "Sometimes Opportunity Knocks More Than Once". ABC News. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  10. ^ C., Tania (2011-10-03). "Scientists Discover Hyperthymesia-The Perfect Memory". Finest Daily. Archived from the original on 2014-10-17. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  11. ^ a b c d "Marilu Henner (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 2, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  12. ^ Hossain, Ibnul (24 December 2016). "The Paper Chase Season 1, Episode 1". Retrieved 3 December 2017 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Breaking News - Hallmark Channel's New Original Primetime Series "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" Welcomes Five-Time Golden Globe(R) Nominee Marilu Henner as Special Guest-Star - TheFutonCritic.com". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  14. ^ "There's My Nigerians". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
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