Laraine Newman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laraine Newman
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![]() Newman in 2011
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Born | Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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March 2, 1952
Occupation |
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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.
Contents
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.
- Movies: She provided voices for films like Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, WALL-E, Up!, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Wreck-It Ralph, Inside Out, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing. She also voiced the Wicked Witch of the West in Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz.
- TV Shows: Her voice work on TV includes The Tick, Histeria!, CatDog, Rugrats, As Told by Ginger, The Fairly OddParents (as Queen Jipjorrulac), Danny Phantom, Avatar: The Last Airbender, SpongeBob SquarePants (as Plankton's grandmother), Doc McStuffins, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, and The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants.
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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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.
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
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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
In Spanish: Laraine Newman para niños