Ilene Graff

Last updated
Ilene Graff
IleneGraffActress.jpg
Born (1949-02-18) February 18, 1949 (age 76)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupations
Years active1979–present
Known forMarsha Cameron Owens in Mr. Belvedere
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1978;died 2024)​
Children Nikka Graff Lanzarone
Relatives
Website ilenegraff.com

Ilene Graff (born February 18, 1949 [1] ) is an American actress and singer. [2]

Contents

Early years

Graff was born on February 28, 1949, in Brooklyn, New York, [1] the daughter of musician Jerry Graff, and piano teacher Judy Graff. [3] She attended Ithaca College. [4]

Life and career

Graff's Broadway credits include Promises, Promises , Grease , and I Love My Wife . [1] On television, Graff portrayed Penny Whitaker on Supertrain . [5] Her other 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 . [6]

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 Ilene Graff And Ben Lanzarone 2013.jpg
Graff and Husband Ben Lanzarone in 2013

While performing in Grease Graff 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. [7] She serves as the spokesman for the AMC Cancer Research Center.[ citation needed ]

Select filmography

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ilene Graff". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  2. ↑ "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 |".
  3. ↑ Wyckoff, Mark (January 2, 2009). "Broadway reverie". Ventura County Star. p. 44. Retrieved March 29, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Ilene Graff breaks out of stereotyped role". Elizabethton Star. July 16, 1985. p. 7. Retrieved March 29, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "'If I Weren't An actress, I'd Be A Blimp'". Sunday News. Pennsylvania, Lancaster. April 22, 1979. p. TV Week - 48. Retrieved March 29, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "The Mom on "Mr. Belvedere": 'Memba Her?!". 3 December 2008.
  7. ↑ "highlighthollywood.com".
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