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Laraine Newman
Laraine Newman at Comic-Con 2011 Cartoon Voices II Panel.jpg
Newman in 2011
Born (1952-03-02) March 2, 1952 (age 73)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • writer
Years active 1975–present
Known for Saturday Night Live
Spouse(s)
Chad Einbinder
(m. 1991; div. 2016)
Children 2, including Hannah Einbinder

Laraine Newman is an American actress, comedian, and writer. She was a key part of the original cast of the TV show Saturday Night Live (SNL). She worked on SNL from its start in 1975 until 1980. Newman is also well-known for her voice acting in many animated movies and TV shows.

She has appeared in films like Stardust Memories, Problem Child 2, Coneheads, and The Flintstones. Her voice can be heard in popular Pixar films such as Finding Nemo, WALL-E, Up, and Inside Out. In 2021, she released her memoir, May You Live in Interesting Times, as an audiobook.

Laraine Newman is the younger sister of writer and musician Tracy Newman. She is also the mother of actress and comedian Hannah Einbinder and actor Spike Einbinder.

About Laraine Newman

Early Life and Family

Laraine Newman was born on March 2, 1952, in Los Angeles, California. Her family is Jewish. She is the youngest of four children and has a twin brother named Paul. Her sister, Tracy Newman, is a television writer who has won an Emmy Award. Newman went to Beverly Hills High School and finished in 1970.

Starting Her Career

Newman became interested in improv when she was 15 years old. After high school, she tried to get into acting schools in England but was not accepted. So, she went to Paris to study mime with the famous Marcel Marceau for a year.

When she was 19, Newman returned to Los Angeles. She became a founding member of a new comedy improv group called The Groundlings. Newman has said that comedians like Eve Arden, Madeline Kahn, and Richard Pryor greatly influenced her. She credits them with helping her understand "The Art of Play" and leading her into a life of comedy.

Her Time on Saturday Night Live

In 1974, Lorne Michaels hired Newman for a TV special starring Lily Tomlin. Michaels was impressed by Newman's work with The Groundlings. The next year, Newman became one of the first cast members of NBC's Saturday Night Live. She was on the show from 1975 to 1980.

During her five years on SNL, she became good friends with fellow cast member Gilda Radner. The show became very popular very quickly, and Newman became famous. She even met John Lennon and Yoko Ono in New York City, who introduced themselves to her.

Newman created several memorable characters on SNL. These include Connie Conehead, a character named Sherry (who was like an early "Valley girl"), and Christie Christina. Christie Christina was the silly co-host of a public-access TV show with E. Buzz Miller, played by Dan Aykroyd. Newman also played a TV news reporter for the Weekend Update segment. In 2017, she and the other original SNL cast members were honored by the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Later Career and Voice Acting

After leaving Saturday Night Live, Laraine Newman continued her acting career in both movies and TV shows. She also became a very busy voice actor.

Film Appearances

In the 1980s, Newman appeared in films such as Wholly Moses, Perfect, and Invaders from Mars. She also had a small part in Woody Allen's Stardust Memories. In 1991, she played a main character in Problem Child 2. She also appeared in the 1993 movie Coneheads, where she played Connie Conehead's aunt Laarta. In 1994, she was in The Flintstones.

Television Roles

Newman made guest appearances on many TV shows. These include Laverne & Shirley, St. Elsewhere, Amazing Stories, Friends, 3rd Rock from the Sun, 7th Heaven, Entourage, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2023, she appeared in an episode of Ghosts. In 2025, she made a guest appearance during the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special.

Voice Acting Highlights

Newman has lent her voice to many animated characters in movies and TV shows.

Writing Career

Besides acting, Newman is also a writer and editor. She has written for online magazines like One For The Table and the Huffington Post. She has also contributed articles to the Los Angeles Times, The Believer, and McSweeney's. She wrote the introduction for the book version of the UCB Production Worst ... Plans.

Awards and Recognition

Laraine Newman has been nominated for several awards throughout her career.

  • In 1979, she was nominated for an Emmy Award as a writer for Saturday Night Live.
  • In 2017, she and the other original cast members of Saturday Night Live were honored and inducted into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame.

Filmography

Live-action

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1976 TunnelVision Sonja
1978 American Hot Wax Teenage Louise
1980 Stardust Memories Film Executive Uncredited
Wholly Moses! Zoey, Zerelda
1983 We're All Devo Donut Rooter Video
1985 Perfect Linda
1986 Invaders from Mars Ellen Gardner
1991 Problem Child 2 Lawanda Dumore
1993 Coneheads Laarta
Witchboard 2: The Devil's Doorway Elaine
1994 Revenge of the Red Baron Carol Spencer
The Flintstones Susan Rock
1996 Jingle All the Way First Lady
1997 Demolition University Professor Harris Video
1998 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Frog-Eyed Woman
I'm Losing You Casting Director
Rusty: A Dog's Tale Bertha Bimini
1999 Baby Huey's Great Easter Adventure Minnie Video
2002 The Sum of All Fears Russian Translator on TV Uncredited
2014 Ready or Knot Joanne
2016 The Late Bloomer Noema Willcoxen

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1975–80 Saturday Night Live Herself Cast member, 106 episodes
1982 Laverne & Shirley Sheba 2 episodes
St. Elsewhere Jane Zontell 3 episodes
1984 Her Life as a Man Barbara TV movie
1985 George Burns Comedy Week Episode: "The Honeybunnies"
1986 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Periwinkle Episode: "The Jar"
The Magical World of Disney Cynthia Fisher Episode: "My Town"
The Canned Film Festival Laraine the Usherette 13 episodes
1987 Faerie Tale Theatre Coral Episode: "The Little Mermaid"
Amazing Stories Miss Schroedinger Episode: "Miss Stardust"
1988 Monsters Linda McGuire Episode: "Rouse Him Not"
1989 Duet Madame Marissa, Judge Episode: "The New and Improved Linda"
1992 Dream On Lenora Hemple 2 episodes
1993 Dudley Dr. Singer Episode: "Whose Therapy Is It, Anyway?"
1996 Friends Mrs. Buffay Episode: "The One With the Bullies"
Chicago Hope Dawn - Sutton's Ex #2 Episode: "Ex Marks the Spot"
3rd Rock from the Sun Candace Episode: "World's Greatest Dick"
1997 Ellen The Over-Supportive Parent Episode: "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah"
Perversions of Science Becky Episode: "Panic"
Jenny Joella Episode: "A Girl's Gotta Deck the Halls"
2000 Curb Your Enthusiasm The Director Episode: "The Group"
2002–04 7th Heaven Rosina Glass 8 episodes
2003–04 According to Jim Officer Laraine Elkin 3 episodes
2006 Brothers & Sisters Lyla Episode: "Affairs of State"
2007 Entourage Jane Episode: "Manic Monday"
2012 Easy to Assemble The Neighbor 2 episodes
2013 How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) Deidre Episode: "How to Help the Needy"
The Birthday Boys President of the Network Episode: "Goofy Roofers"
2013–16 Comedy Bang! Bang! Melrose Ballrod, Mandy 2 episodes
2014 Trophy Wife Juniper Episode: "The Big 5-0"
2016 Hidden America with Jonah Ray Jacqueline Waters Episode: "Los Angeles: All That Glitters Is Not Gold"
2017 Dice Darcy Episode: "No Bullsh*t"
2019 Los Espookys Jacqueline Webster, Anne Hathaway Episode: "El sueño falso (The Fake Dream)"
2023 Ghosts Esther Lefkowitz Episode: "Trevor's Body"

Voice roles

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1985 Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird Mommy Dodo
Voltar The Invincible Wondra / Mrs. Lawrence Uncredited
1997 Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Various
2000 Fantasia 2000
2001 Monsters, Inc. Mother / School Teacher
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius Hostess
2003 Finding Nemo Additional Voices
Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure Gwen
2004 Shrek 2 ADR Group
The Incredibles Squeaker's Owner Uncredited
2006 The Wild Girl Monkey
Barnyard Snotty Boy's Friend
2007 Happily N'Ever After Additional Voices
Surf's Up Female Penguin #3
2008 Horton Hears a Who! Glummox Mom
Ponyo Woman in the boat English dub
WALL-E Beauty Bot / Paramedic Bot / Announcer Bot
2009 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs French Newscaster
Up Dogs/Additional Voices
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto Smelga Strudel, Betty Sue Lou, Courtney, Kate, Lefty
2010 Shrek Forever After ADR Group
Tangled Additional Voices
Toy Story 3
2011 Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West
2012 The Lorax Woman
Wreck-It Ralph Various Nicelanders
Superman vs. The Elite Newscaster #3
2013 Despicable Me 2 Woman
2014 Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon Elf Elder's Wife
The Boxtrolls Female Townsfolk
2015 Inside Out Jill Andersen's Fear
Minions Additional Voices
2016 The Secret Life of Pets
Nerdland Old Woman
Sing Meena's Grandmother
Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz Wicked Witch of the West
2017 Despicable Me 3 Additional Voices
The Emoji Movie
The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature Daredevil Chipmunk
2018 The Grinch Additional Voices
2019 The Secret Life of Pets 2 Cow
2021 Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans Ms. Janeth
2024 Inside Out 2 Additional Voices
Despicable Me 4 Melora, Additional Voices
2025 Dog Man Scientist
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie Mrs. Grecht

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1993–94 Problem Child Lawanda Dumore / Various
1995 The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries Trudy, Laura Fontleroy, Eve, Harem Girl 4 episodes
1996 The Tick Flying Squirrel Episode: "The Tick vs. Education"
1997 Pinky and the Brain Giselle, Housewife, Secretary 3 episodes
1998 Superman: The Animated Series Toby Raynes Episode: "Apokolips...Now!"
The New Batman Adventures Baby Doll Episode: "Love is a Croc"
1998-2000 Histeria! Miss Information, various voices Main role
1999 Detention Ms. Treacle Episode: "The Contest"
Hey Arnold! Librarian, Kid, TV Reporter 2 episodes
2000 The Oblongs Ms. Hubbard 8 episodes
The Cartoon Cartoon Show Lydia Lucas Episode: "Lucky Lydia"
2000–06 As Told by Ginger Lois Foutley 43 episodes
2001–03 Oswald Madame Butterfly, various voices 22 episodes
2001–13 The Fairly OddParents Alien Queen Jipjorrulac, Mother Nature 9 episodes
2002 The Zeta Project Dr. Marion O'Keefe Episode: "Quality Time"
2003 What's New, Scooby-Doo? Wor-El
2004–07 Danny Phantom Pam, Mrs. Tetslaff, 1950s Ghost Jock 6 episodes
2004 Justice League Unlimited Medusa Episode: "This Little Piggy"
2005 The Buzz on Maggie Lacey Ladybug Episode: "Ladybugged"
2006 Avatar: The Last Airbender Lily Episode: "The Cave of Two Lovers"
2006–12 Metalocalypse Pickles' Mom, News Anchor, Dory McClean, Additional Characters 15 episodes
2009–12 Jungle Junction Carla 14 episodes
2010–18 SpongeBob SquarePants Ella Plankton 3 episodes
2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Ms. Minerva Episode: "The Power of Shazam!"
2011 The Garfield Show Aunt Ivy, Chicken, Winona 4 episodes
Beavis and Butt-Head Biology Teacher 3 episodes
2011–13 Winx Club Queen Ligea Seasons 3-5
2012–14 Doc McStuffins Aurora, Professor Hootsburgh, Southwest Sal 25 episodes
2012 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Granny Snaggletooth Episode: "Night on Haunted Mountain"
Motorcity Kaia 2 episodes
2013 Turbo FAST Queen Invicta Episode: "Ants Ants Revolution"
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Yan Fan Episode: "Mama Told Me Not to Kung Fu"
Toy Story of Terror! Betsy Television film
2014 Beware the Batman Diner Owner Episode: "Monsters"
2015 The Adventures of Puss in Boots Pajuna, Piper, Torvil, Mother Dragon 37 episodes
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Professor Salazar, Running Girl, Museum Guard
2015–17 Dawn of the Croods Gran, One-Eyed Amber, Mosh, Pram 52 episodes
2016 Milo Murphy's Law Ms. White
2016–18 Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia Nana, Ms. Janeth, Bully Troll, Mrs. Palchuck, Customs Agent, Museum Director 27 episodes
2017 Adventure Time Widow Episode: "Min and Marty"
2017–20 Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch of the West
Vampirina Narcissa, Ms. Fincher, Mrs. Sludgio, Stage Manager, Audience Member 8 episodes
Talking Tom and Friends Ms. Vanthrax 8 episodes
2018–19 3Below: Tales of Arcadia Nana, Ms. Janeth 18 episodes
2018–20 The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Ms. Tara Ribble 8 episodes
2019 Harvey Girls Forever! Ryan Ninaman 1 episode
Apple & Onion Butter Episode: "Heatwave"
2019–20 Summer Camp Island Hedgehog's Mother 2 episodes
2020 Archibald's Next Big Thing Suzie Episode: "The Chair Museum"
Bob's Burgers Dove Shannon Episode: "Local She-ro"
Infinity Train Marette Gillicutty, Maise Trundleshank Episode: "The Family Tree Car"
2021 Ridley Jones Peaches
2023 Big Nate Marge Wright 4 episodes
2023–25 Tiny Toons Looniversity Joan Shwinefield
2024 Grimsburg The Kid Napper Episode: "McSnuff the Mystery Mutt"
2025 Krapopolis Clotho Episode: "John Fate Comes a-Knockin"
2025 Super Duper Bunny League Rubberglove/Mrs. Fuzzleglove Episode: "Mrs. Fuzzleglove"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Stupid Invaders Additional Voices
2003 The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' da Rules Alien Queen Jipjorrulac
2005 Madagascar Queen Bee, Grandma, Woman
True Crime: New York City Additional Voices
2007 Bee Movie Game
Spider-Man 3
Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer Sheva Whitefeather, NPC (Wise Woman)
2008 The Rise of the Argonauts Additional Voices
2011 Star Wars: The Old Republic
2013 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
2016 Let It Die Mother Barb
2019 Dota 2 Snapfire

Web

Year Title Role Notes
2011 It's Fred Mrs. DeWinter (voice) Episode: "Fred Gets Adopted"

Accolades

Newman has been nominated for awards numerous times, most notably for an Emmy in 1979 as a cast member of Saturday Night Live.

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Work Result
1979 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing in a Comedy – Variety or Music Series
(shared with the other writers)
Saturday Night Live Nominated
2016 Annie Award Outstanding Achievement in Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production (Voice of "Amber" for the episode "The First Picture Show") Dawn of the Croods Nominated
2012 Behind the Voice Actors Awards Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Short
(shared with the other cast)
Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz Nominated
2017 Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series
(shared with the other cast)
Milo Murphy's Law Nominated
Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role
(Voice of "Miss Janeth")
Trollhunters Nominated
2017 Television Academy's Hall of Fame Honoree (as original cast member of Saturday Night Live) Saturday Night Live Won

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Laraine Newman para niños

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