Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Louise Lasser

 
Actor: Louise Lasser
  • Born: Apr 11, 1939 in New York, New York
  • Occupation: Actor, Writer
  • Active: '70s-2000s
  • Major Genres: Comedy
  • Career Highlights: Fast Food Fast Women, Bananas, Isn't It Shocking?
  • First Major Screen Credit: What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)

Biography

Fey, flaky comic actress Louise Lasser majored in political science at Brandeis University before studying acting at New York's Neighborhood Playhouse. She proved an excellent improvisational comedienne in the Elaine May revue The Third Ear, which led to several TV commercial appearances. In 1966, she married comedian Woody Allen, who later directed her in Take the Money and Run (1968), Bananas (1970), Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex... (1972) and Stardust Memories (1980); she also provided a voice for Allen's Japanese spy-film spoof What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966). Though they divorced in 1970, Lasser and Allen remained close friends, turning to one another in moments of severe personal crisis. In 1976, Lasser starred as the zoned-out heroine of Norman Lear's satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman probably her best-known role. Louise Lasser's most recent weekly TV assignment was the early-1980s sitcom It's a Living. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Search unanswered questions...
Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics
Wikipedia: Louise Lasser
Top
Louise Lasser
Born April 11, 1939 (1939-04-11) (age 70)
New York City, New York, US
Spouse(s) Woody Allen (1966-1969)

Louise Lasser (born April 11, 1939) is an American actress. She is known for her portrayal of the title character on the soap opera parody Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. She was married to Woody Allen and appeared in several of his films.

Contents

Personal life

Lasser was born in New York City, New York of Jewish heritage,[1] the daughter of tax authority S. Jay Lasser (not J.K. Lasser as is often indicated).[citation needed] Lasser studied political science at Brandeis University.[2] She was married to Woody Allen from 1966 to 1969.

Career

Lasser appeared in the Woody Allen films Take the Money and Run, Bananas, and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask), as well as being one of the voices for his spoof dubbing of a Japanese spy movie What's Up Tiger Lily? She also had a brief cameo in his 1980 film Stardust Memories. She became a household name for starring as the neurotic, unhappy housewife Mary Hartman on the outrageous soap opera parody Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman which aired five nights a week in 1976-1977. She hosted Saturday Night Live during Season 1. Lasser also wrote the telemovie Just Me and You (1978), starring in it alongside Charles Grodin. She had a recurring role as Alex's ex-wife on the hit series Taxi, and starred in the 1981-82 season of the TV series It's a Living.

In 2000, Lasser appeared on a panel with her former cast members of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman at the Museum of Television and Radio in Beverly Hills (taped for the museum archives). One recent role of note was in the 1999 film Mystery Men, in which she played the mother of Hank Azaria's character. The year before this she played Mona, the mother of the three main female characters, in Todd Solondz's film Happiness. Lasser had a role in Darren Aronofsky's film Requiem for a Dream (2000), and she co-starred with Renee Taylor in National Lampoon's Gold Diggers (2003).

References

External links


 
 

 

Copyrights:

Actor. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Louise Lasser" Read more