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Marilu Henner facts for kids

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Marilu Henner
Marilu Henner 2011.jpg
Henner in 2011
Born (1952-04-06) April 6, 1952 (age 73)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • author
  • producer
  • host
Years active 1971–present
Spouse(s)
(m. 1980; div. 1982)
Robert Lieberman
(m. 1990; div. 2001)
Michael Brown
(m. 2006)
Children 2, including Nick Lieberman

Marilu Henner, born on April 6, 1952, is an American actress and author. She started her acting journey in 1971 in the musical Grease. Her first movie role was in the 1977 film Between the Lines.

Marilu became very well known for her role as Elaine O'Connor Nardo in the TV show Taxi. She played this part from 1978 to 1983 and was nominated for five Golden Globe Awards. She also appeared in many movies like L.A. Story (1991) and Noises Off (1992). Later, she starred in the TV show Evening Shade from 1990 to 1994.

Marilu Henner is one of the few people known to have hyperthymesia. This means she can remember almost every day of her life in great detail.

About Marilu Henner's Early Life

Marilu Henner was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 6, 1952. Her mother, Loretta Callis, was of Greek descent. Her father, Joseph Henner, was of Polish descent.

Marilu Henner's Acting Career

Starting on Stage and Screen

While studying at the University of Chicago, Marilu Henner played Marty Maraschino in the first production of Grease in 1971. When the show moved to Broadway, she chose to tour with the national company instead. She performed alongside John Travolta in this tour.

Marilu also acted in other Broadway shows. These included Over Here!, Pal Joey, and Chicago. Her first movie was Between the Lines in 1977. She then appeared with Richard Gere in the 1978 film Bloodbrothers.

Becoming a TV Star

Marilu became famous for her role as Elaine Nardo in the TV show Taxi. She played a single mom who drove a taxi but dreamed of working in an art gallery. She also had leading roles in movies. These included Hammett (1982) and The Man Who Loved Women (1983) with Burt Reynolds.

Reynolds later asked her to join the cast of Cannonball Run II (1984). She also starred in Johnny Dangerously (1984) and appeared with John Travolta again in Perfect. In 1991, she was in L.A. Story with Steve Martin. For this role, she was nominated for an American Comedy Award.

From 1990 to 1994, Marilu starred with Burt Reynolds in the TV show Evening Shade. She also appeared in Noises Off (1992) and Man on the Moon (1999). The latter film was about her Taxi co-star Andy Kaufman. Marilu played herself in that movie.

Marilu Henner at the 1991 Emmy Awards
Henner at the 1991 Emmy Awards

Voice Acting and Hosting

Marilu Henner lent her voice to Veronica Vreeland in Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1999). She also voiced this character in the animated movies Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) and Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998). In 1994, she hosted her own TV talk show called Marilu.

From 2006 to 2007, Marilu hosted the TV series America's Ballroom Challenge. She also hosted Shape Up Your Life on FitTV and The Discovery Channel. This show was based on her health books.

Reality TV and Special Abilities

In 2008, Marilu was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice. She returned for The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice in 2013. She played for the Alzheimer's Association charity and won over $50,000 for them.

Because Marilu has hyperthymesia, she was a consultant for the CBS drama Unforgettable. This show featured a character with the same special memory ability. Marilu even guest-starred as the character's aunt.

Marilu Henner Broccoli Earrings 2010
Henner in July 2010

In 2016, Marilu competed on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. She was partnered with professional dancer Derek Hough. They finished in sixth place. In 2018, Marilu appeared in an episode of the CBS series The Neighborhood.

Marilu Henner's Personal Life

Marilu Henner has two sons, Nicholas Lieberman and Joseph Lieberman. They are from her second marriage to Robert Lieberman.

In 2010, Marilu was featured on the TV show 60 Minutes. This segment highlighted her amazing memory ability, known as superior autobiographical memory. She shared that she could remember almost every day of her life since she was 11 years old.

Marilu Henner's Books

Marilu Henner has written several books. Many of them focus on diet, health, and memory. Her book Total Health Makeover explains the benefits of a non-dairy diet combined with food choices and exercise. She was inspired to live a healthier life because both of her parents passed away in their 50s.

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

Marilu Henner's Film and TV Roles

Movies

Year Title Role
1977 Between the Lines Danielle
1978 Bloodbrothers Annette Palladino
1982 Hammett Kit Conger / Sue Alabama
1983 Man Who Loved Women, TheThe Man Who Loved Women Agnes Chapman
1984 Cannonball Run II Betty
1984 Johnny Dangerously Lil Sheridan
1985 Rustlers' Rhapsody Miss Tracy
1985 Perfect Sally Marcus
1987 Grand Larceny Freddy Grand
1991 L.A. Story Trudi
1991 Chains of Gold Jackie
1992 Noises Off Belinda Blair / Flavia Brent
1993 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Socialite
1994 Chasers Katie
1998 Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero Veronica Vreeland
1999 Man on the Moon Herself
1999 Titanic Chronicles, TheThe Titanic Chronicles Mrs. Stuart While
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
2024 Rock and Doris (Try to) Write a Movie Doris Adams

Television Shows

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Off Campus Janet TV movie
1978 The Paper Chase Susu Episode: "The Paper Chase"
1978–1983 Taxi Elaine O'Connor Nardo Main role (114 episodes)
1981 Dream House Laura Griffith TV movie
1982 Fridays Herself 2 episodes
1982 Saturday Night Live Herself Episode: "Danny DeVito/Sparks"
1983 Super Bowl XVII Pre-Game Show Elaine Nardo TV movie
1985 Stark Ashley Walters TV movie
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 TV movie
1988 Channel 99 Susan McDowell TV movie
1988 Ladykillers Samantha Flannery TV movie
1989 The Tracey Ullman Show Pregnant Woman Episode: "My Baby"
1990–1994 Evening Shade Ava Evans Newton Main role (98 episodes)
1992 Legend of Prince Valiant, TheThe Legend of Prince Valiant Lady Catherine Episode: "The Trap"
1993–1995 Batman: The Animated Series Veronica Vreeland Voice, 4 episodes
1995 Cybill Terry Belmont Episode: "Since I Lost My Baby"
1995 Fight for Justice: The Nancy Conn Story Nancy Conn TV movie
1995 Comic Relief VII Herself TV special
1996 My Son Is Innocent Margaret Sutter TV movie
1996 For the Future: The Irvine Fertility Scandal Debbie Challender TV movie
1996 Titanic Molly Brown Miniseries
1997 George and Leo Van Passenger Episode: "The Cameo Episode"
1997–1998 New Batman Adventures, TheThe New Batman Adventures Veronica Vreeland Voice, 2 episodes
2000 Tale of Two Bunnies, AA Tale of Two Bunnies Miranda TV movie
2000 Rocket's Red Glare Meg Baker TV movie
2002 Providence Georgia 2 episodes
2002 Greg the Bunny Maggie DeMontague Episode: "Blah Bawls"
2003 Andy Richter Controls the Universe Herself Voice, episode: "Bully the Kid"
2003 Love Rules! Carol TV movie
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 TV movie
2005 Comeback, TheThe Comeback Herself Episode: "Pilot"
2006–2007 America's Ballroom Challenge Host Reality-competition series
2008 Good Behavior Sydney Lake TV pilot
2008 The Governor's Wife Ann Danville TV movie
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 TV movie
2011 Grey's Anatomy Mrs. Moser Episode: "Poker Face"
2011 Unforgettable Aunt Evie Episode: "Golden Bird"
2012 Holiday High School Reunion Beverly Hunt TV movie
2012 Hitched for the Holidays Maxine Greene TV movie
2013 Two and a Half Men Linda Episode: "Cows, Prepare to Be Tipped"
2013 Glades, TheThe Glades Joan Longworth 2 episodes
2014 June in January Diana Blackwell TV movie
2014 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Vivian Ludley 5 episodes
2014 Phineas and Ferb Nana's Friend Voice, episode: "Operation Crumb Cake"
2014 Signed, Sealed, Delivered Glynis Rucker 2 episodes
2014 The Crazy Ones Paige Roberts Episode: "The Lighthouse"
2015 A Bone To Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2015 Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2016 In-Lawfully Yours Naomi TV movie
2016 Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2016 Love on a Limb Zee Roarke TV movie
2016 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant on season 23
2016 The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2017 Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2017 A Bundle of Trouble: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2018 Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2018 Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2018 The Disappearing Game: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2018 The Neighborhood Paula Episode: "Welcome to Thanksgiving"
2019 A Game of Cat and Mouse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2019 An Inheritance to Die For: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2019 A Very Foul Play: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2020 Heist and Seek: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2020 Reunited and it Feels So Deadly: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2020 Love, Lights, Hanukkah! Ruth TV movie
2020 Bob Hearts Abishola Trish Dolan Episode: "There's My Nigerians"
2021 How to Con a Con: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2021 Pearl in the Mist Miss Ironwood TV movie
2021 Til Death Do Us Part: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2021 Honeymoon, Honeymurder: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2021 A Kiss Before Christmas Rona Bellingham TV movie
2022 Haunted By Murder: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery Aida Teagarden TV movie
2022 A Kismet Christmas Grandma Mia TV movie
2023 NCIS: Los Angeles Elizabeth Killbride Episode: "A Farewell to Arms"
2023 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New Aida Teagarden TV movie
2024 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Lesson in Murder Aida Teagarden TV movie
2024 Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Death at the Diner Aida Teagarden TV movie

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Marilu Henner para niños

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