Karla Tamburrelli | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1956 (age 68–69) |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1984−present |
Karla Tamburrelli (born 1956) is an American actress and television producer known for her work in the television series The Big Easy . In 1993, she was awarded the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Lead Actress for "Lost in Yonkers" at the Fox Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
In the late 1990s, Tamburrelli transitioned to being a TV producer. Her first major work behind the camera was for the first annual Screen Actors Guild award, which she produced between 1998 and 2006.
Tamburrelli made her professional stage debut in the U.S. national tour of Maury Yeston’s musical Nine in 1984, appearing as Carla. [1]
In Chicago she starred as Grandma Kurnitz in the Royal George Theatre production of Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers (1992–1994). The performance earned her the 1993 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Principal Role. [2]
Tamburrelli’s screen career began with guest roles on network series including Miami Vice (1985). She made her feature‑film debut in Die Hard 2 (1990) and appeared in the comedies City Slickers (1991) and Nothing but Trouble (1991). [3]
On television she became a frequent guest star on sitcoms such as Seinfeld , Friends , Mad About You and the crime drama Brooklyn South . Her most visible part was as Detective Darlene “D. B.” Broussard in The Big Easy, appearing in thirteen episodes of the first season.
Tamburrelli joined the production staff of the inaugural Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony in 1995 and, alongside Yale Summers, was promoted to producer for the 4th awards show in 1998. She remained a lead producer through the 12th ceremony in 2006, supervising entry submissions, nominating‑committee screenings and the live TNT/TBS telecasts. [4]
| Year | Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Miami Vice | Ample Annie | 2 episodes |
| 1987 | 1st & Ten | Lorraine Manzak | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | The Hogan Family | Danielle | 1 episode |
| 1988 | CBS Summer Playhouse | N/A | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Dream On | Claire | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Cop Rock | Gretchen | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Babes | Saleswoman | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Civil Wars | N/A | 1 episode |
| 1991–1992 | Growing Pains | Jodi Creedmore | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | Who's the Boss? | Ms. Eastman | 1 episode |
| 1994 | Seinfeld | Daphne | 1 episode |
| 1994 | Mad About You | Mrs. Astin | 1 episode |
| 1994 | Hardball | Carol Widmer | 1 episode |
| 1994 | The Boys Are Back | Casino's Waitress | 1 episode |
| 1995 | Platypus Man | Eileen | 1 episode |
| 1995 | Friends | The Teacher | 1 episode |
| 1996–1997 | The Big Easy | Darlene Broussard | 13 episodes |
| 1997 | Pearl | Tina | 1 episode |
| 1997–1998 | Brooklyn South | Vicky Santoro | 4 episodes |
| 1997–1998 | Working | Receptionist | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Maximum Bob | Opal Duvall | 1 episode |
| Year | Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Die Hard 2 | Stewardess (Northeast Plane) |
| 1990 | Maverick Square | Althea |
| 1991 | Nothing But Trouble | Dealer #2's Girlfriend |
| 1991 | City Slickers | Arlene Berquist |
| 1991 | In a Child's Name | Teresa Silvano-Taylor |
| 1992 | Forever Young | Blanche Finley |
| 1994 | The Counterfeit Contessa | Countess Sofia di Sarzanello |
| 1994 | Gambler V: Playing for Keeps | Marchette |
| 1995 | Sleep, Baby, Sleep | Tracy Corbett |
| 1995 | Fast Company | N/A |
| 1996 | Forgotten Sins | Mrs. Gibbons |
| 1997 | Plump Fiction | Sister Ruth |
| Year | Name | Role | Locale | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Lost in Yonkers | Grandma Kurnitz | Off Broadway – Fox Theatricals | Chicago, Illinois |
