Marilu Henner facts for kids
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.
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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.
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.
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 | The 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 | The 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 | The 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 | The New Batman Adventures | Veronica Vreeland | Voice, 2 episodes |
2000 | A 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 | The 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 | The 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
In Spanish: Marilu Henner para niños