--- name: "Carol Kane" canonical: "https://film.one/person/carol-kane" fi1m_id: "carol-kane" imdb_id: "nm0001406" tmdb_id: 10556 wikidata_id: "Q235302" roles: ["Actor"] born: "18 June 1952" reviewed_on_fi1m: 14 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 14 updated: "2026-10-05T04:01:33.528415+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Carol Kane ## Identity Carol Kane - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/carol-kane - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** carol-kane - **IMDb ID:** nm0001406 - **TMDB ID:** 10556 - **Wikidata ID:** Q235302 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Kane, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235302, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001406/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10556 Actor. Born 18 June 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 18 June 1952, Cleveland, Ohio, USA - **Active:** 1975–present - **Also known as:** Lisa LeBlanc , Carolyn Laurie Kane, کارول کین - **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 2 Emmys (2 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 14 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 86 (4), 1980s 78 (4), 1990s 78 (1), 2000s 46 (2), 2010s 77 (2), 2020s 68 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 69 across 11 titles - **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 11 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 12, Drama 5, Family 4, Adventure 3, Fantasy 3, Crime 2 - **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $576m across 10 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Kane, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235302, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001406/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10556 ## Coming up - *Anxious People* (2026-11-26) ## Streaming the US now - **Netflix:** [*Seinfeld*](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md) (90), [*Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt*](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md) (76) - **Disney+:** [*The Princess Bride*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) (86), [*The Pacifier*](https://film.one/film/the-pacifier.md) (36) - **Apple TV:** [*Taxi*](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md) (86), [*Addams Family Values*](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md) (78) - **The Roku Channel:** [*Annie Hall*](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md) (86) - **AMC+:** [*The Sisters Brothers*](https://film.one/film/the-sisters-brothers.md) (78) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Ishtar*](https://film.one/film/ishtar.md) (72) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Carol Kane > Carol Kane makes a quavering voice a precise comic tool, especially when she has someone worth arguing with. Her timing is a pleasure, though the repeated casting as an eccentric asks too little of her. In *The Princess Bride* (1987), Carol Kane and Billy Crystal make bickering worth waiting for. As Valerie, the wife of Crystal’s character, Kane puts that quavering voice to work in a quarrel between two properly matched comic actors. We laughed at their exchanges because her timing makes the argument feel shared, with neither performer reduced to supplying the other with cues. Rob Reiner gives her little screen time, but she makes the company better. Her early dramatic work deserves to be kept in view. *Hester Street* (1975), directed by Joan Micklin Silver, gave her the leading role of Gitl, a Russian-Jewish immigrant. She found wider recognition as Simka in *Taxi* (1981–1983), opposite Andy Kaufman. Voice and accent work matter in both, but the shift also involved fewer opportunities to lead a film. After *Hester Street*, typecasting helped move her towards character parts. The reservation is how readily that comic identity can become a casting habit. Kane is often given eccentric supporting characters, and *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015–2020), in which she plays landlord Lillian Kaushtupper, keeps her in familiar territory. Calling her eccentric tells us little about the care with which she changes her voice for a character or an accent. We want more leading parts for her, rather than more proof that she can make an odd supporting character memorable. *The Princess Bride* is our clearest recommendation for the comedy, with the caveat that its lovers interest us less than their companions. Reiner takes his fairy-tale characters seriously enough to let us enjoy their company as well as their jokes. That suits Kane: the unusual delivery is pleasurable, but so is the care she takes over a small part. For a second evening, try *Hester Street*, where she gets the leading role. ## Biography Carol Kane is an American actress and comedian. Born Carolyn Laurie Kane on 18 June 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio, she made her professional stage debut at the age of 14 in a production of *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie* and later attended the Professional Children's School in New York. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in *Hester Street* (1975) and appeared in films including *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975), *Annie Hall* (1977) and *The Princess Bride* (1987). On television she played Simka Gravas on *Taxi* (1981–1983), winning two Primetime Emmy Awards, and later appeared as Corinne in an episode of *Seinfeld* (1994). She has also performed as Madame Morrible in the musical *Wicked* on Broadway and toured productions, and played Lillian Kaushtupper in the series *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015–2020). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (14) - *Caught Stealing* (2025), Fi1m 68, as Bubbe — [page](https://film.one/film/caught-stealing.md) - *The Sisters Brothers* (2018), Fi1m 78, as Mrs Sisters — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sisters-brothers.md) - *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), Fi1m 76, as Lillian Kaushtupper — [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md) - *The Pacifier* (2005), Fi1m 36, as Helga — [page](https://film.one/film/the-pacifier.md) - *Two and a Half Men* (2003), Fi1m 55, as Shelly — [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) - *Addams Family Values* (1993), Fi1m 78, as Granny — [page](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md) - *Seinfeld* (1989), Fi1m 90, as Corinne — [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md) - *Scrooged* (1988), Fi1m 66, as Ghost of Christmas Present — [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md) - *Ishtar* (1987), Fi1m 72, as Carol — [page](https://film.one/film/ishtar.md) - *The Princess Bride* (1987), Fi1m 86, as Valerie — [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) - *The Muppet Movie* (1979), Fi1m 82, as "Myth" — [page](https://film.one/film/the-muppet-movie.md) - *Taxi* (1978), Fi1m 86, as Simka Dahblitz — [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md) - *Annie Hall* (1977), Fi1m 86, as Allison — [page](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md) - *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975), Fi1m 90, as Jenny — [page](https://film.one/film/dog-day-afternoon.md) ## Complete filmography (164) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Anxious People* (2026), Actor - *If I Tell You* (2026), as Granny - *Roommates* (2026), as Gigi - *Caught Stealing* (2025), as Bubbe — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/caught-stealing.md) - *Happy's Place* (2024), series, as Theresa - *Between the Temples* (2024), as Carla Kessler · Executive Producer - *Dinner with the Parents* (2024), series, as Rose / Nana - *Migration* (2023), as Erin (voice) - *Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur* (2023), series, as Bube Bina (voice), Bubbe Bina (voice) - *iMordecai* (2023), as Fela - *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Lucille Lubinski — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md) - *Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience* (2022), as Grand-Mah (voice) - *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds* (2022), series, as Commander Pelia, Pelia, Commander Pelia / 2020s Pelia, Pelia (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds.md) - *Harvey* (2021), as Betty Chumley - *A Virtual Princess Bride Reunion* (2020), as Valerie - *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend* (2020), as Lillian Kaushtupper - *Love, Loss, and What I Wore* (2020), Actor - *Hunters* (2020), series, as Mindy Markowitz - *The Dead Don't Die* (2019), as Mallory O'Brien - *Ghost Light* (2018), as Madeline Styne - *The Sisters Brothers* (2018), as Mrs Sisters — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sisters-brothers.md) - *Summer Camp Island* (2018), series, as Barb Jr. (voice) - *Party Monster: Scratching the Surface* (2018), as Lillian Kaushtupper - *Big Mouth* (2017), series, as Menopause Banshee / Old Woman (voice) - *Crowded* (2016), series, as Linda - *Addiction: A 60's Love Story* (2015), as Cecilia - *Ava's Possessions* (2015), as Talia - *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), series, as Lillian Kaushtupper — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md) - *Star vs. the Forces of Evil* (2015), series, as Dr. Jelly Goodwell (voice) - *Gotham* (2014), series, as Gertrude Kapelput - *Emoticon* (2014), as Hannah Song - *Thanks for Sharing* (2013), as Roberta - *Clutter* (2013), as Linda Bradford - *Sleepwalk with Me* (2012), as Linda - *Harvey* (2012), as Betty Chumley - *Anger Management* (2012), series, as Carol - *Should've Been Romeo* (2012), as Ruth - *The Key Man* (2011), as Marsha - *Jake and the Never Land Pirates* (2011), series, as The Sea Witch (voice) - *Bubble Guppies* (2011), series, as Sea Witch (voice) - *Pete Smalls Is Dead* (2010), as Landlady - *My Girlfriend's Boyfriend* (2010), as Barbara - *The Bounty Hunter* (2010), as Dawn - *Four Christmases* (2008), as Aunt Sarah - *Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five* (2008), as Sheep (voice) - *Phineas and Ferb* (2007), series, as Additional Voices (voice), Nana Shapiro (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/phineas-and-ferb.md) - *The Year Without a Santa Claus* (2006), as Mother Nature - *Ugly Betty* (2006), series, as Lena Korvinka - *The Happy Elf* (2005), as Gilda (voice) - *Billy and Mandy Save Christmas* (2005), as Mrs. Claus (voice) - *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2005), series, as Sam - *The Civilization of Maxwell Bright* (2005), as Temple - *The Pacifier* (2005), as Helga — Fi1m 36, [page](https://film.one/film/the-pacifier.md) - *Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen* (2004), as Miss Baggoli - *Hope & Faith* (2003), series, as Cornelia Rackett - *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Shelly — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) - *Audrey's Rain* (2003), as Missy Flanders - *Cosmopolitan* (2003), as Mrs. Shaw - *Love in the Time of Money* (2002), as Joey - *Monk* (2002), series, as Joy - *My First Mister* (2001), as Mrs. Benson - *The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy* (2001), series, as Mrs. Claus - *Tomorrow by Midnight* (2001), as Officer Garfield - *The Shrink Is In* (2001), as Louise Rosenberg - *As Told by Ginger* (2000), series, as Maude Webley (voice) - *That's Life* (2000), series, Actor - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Gwen Munch - *Noah's Ark* (1999), series, as Sarah - *The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald: The Visitors from Outer Space* (1999), as Ogg's Mother (voice) - *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Carol (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md) - *Jawbreaker* (1999), as Ms. Sherwood - *Noddy* (1998), series, as The Tooth Fairy - *The Tic Code* (1998), as Miss Gimpole - *Merry Christmas, George Bailey* (1997), as Cousin Tilly / Mrs. Hatch - *Office Killer* (1997), as Dorine Douglas - *The Tony Danza Show* (1997), series, as Simka Gravaas - *Gone Fishin'* (1997), as Donna Waters - *Hey Arnold!* (1996), series, as Emily Dickinson Trophy (voice) - *Pearl* (1996), series, as Annie Caraldo - *American Strays* (1996), as Helen - *Blue's Clues* (1996), series, Actor - *Trees Lounge* (1996), as Connie - *The Pallbearer* (1996), as Tom's Mother - *Sunset Park* (1996), as Mona - *Big Bully* (1996), as Faith Bigger - *Theodore Rex* (1995), as Molly Rex (voice) - *Freaky Friday* (1995), as Leanne Futterman - *Dad, the Angel & Me* (1995), as Sam's Angel - *The Crazysitter* (1994), as Treva Van Arsdale - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Marguerite Birch - *Even Cowgirls Get the Blues* (1994), as Carla - *Ellen* (1994), series, as Lily Penney - *Addams Family Values* (1993), as Granny — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md) - *When a Stranger Calls Back* (1993), as Jill Johnson - *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Gwen Munch — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md) - *Baby on Board* (1992), as Maria - *In the Soup* (1992), as Barbara - *The Real Story of Here Comes the Bride* (1992), as Margaret Mouse (voice) - *Brooklyn Bridge* (1991), series, Actor - *Ted & Venus* (1991), as Colette - *American Dreamer* (1990), series, as Lillian Abernathy - *Tiny Toon Adventures* (1990), series, as Ollie (voice) - *My Blue Heaven* (1990), as Shaldeen - *Joe Versus the Volcano* (1990), as Hairdresser - *Flashback* (1990), as Maggie - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Blythe (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *The Lemon Sisters* (1989), as Franki D'Angelo - *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Corinne — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md) - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Judy - *Let's Get Mom* (1989), as Maureen - *Scrooged* (1988), as Ghost of Christmas Present — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/scrooged.md) - *License to Drive* (1988), as Mrs. Anderson - *Sticky Fingers* (1988), as Kitty - *Rap Master Ronnie: A Report Card* (1988), Actor - *Drop-Out Mother* (1988), as Maxine - *Paul Reiser: Out on a Whim* (1987), as Fortune Teller - *The Princess Bride* (1987), as Valerie — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-bride.md) - *Ishtar* (1987), as Carol — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/ishtar.md) - *Jumpin' Jack Flash* (1986), as Cynthia - *All Is Forgiven* (1986), series, as Nicolette Bingham - *Casey at the Bat* (1986), as Barbara Dent - *Transylvania 6-5000* (1985), as Lupi - *Tall Tales & Legends* (1985), series, as Barbara - *The Ray Bradbury Theater* (1985), series, as Polly Horne - *Crazy like a Fox* (1984), series, as Iris Buckles - *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Anne MacColl - *Burning Rage* (1984), as Mary Harwood - *The Secret Diary of Sigmund Freud* (1984), as Martha Bernays - *Racing with the Moon* (1984), as Annie the Hooker - *Over the Brooklyn Bridge* (1984), as Cheryl - *Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?* (1983), as Customer At Cafe - *Sleeping Beauty* (1983), as The Good Fairy - *Keeping On* (1983), as Lavinia - *An Invasion of Privacy* (1983), as Ilene - *Cheers* (1982), series, as Amanda — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md) - *Norman Loves Rose* (1982), as Rose - *Faerie Tale Theatre* (1982), series, as The 'Good' Fairy - *The Man Who Married a French Wife and Other Stories* (1982), as Frances Loomis - *Pandemonium* (1982), as Candy - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Lavinia - *Strong Medicine* (1981), Actor - *The Games of Countess Dolingen* (1981), as Louise Haines-Pearson - *The Greatest Man in the World* (1981), as April - *The Girls in Their Summer Dresses and Other Stories* (1981), as Frances Loomis - *La Sabina* (1979), as Daisy - *When a Stranger Calls* (1979), as Jill Johnson - *The Muppet Movie* (1979), as "Myth" — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-muppet-movie.md) - *Taxi* (1978), series, as Simka Gravas, Simka Dahblitz — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md) - *Out of Our Fathers' House* (1978), as Eliza Southgate - *The Mafu Cage* (1978), as Cissy - *The World's Greatest Lover* (1977), as Annie Hickman - *Valentino* (1977), as Starlet - *Annie Hall* (1977), as Allison — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/annie-hall.md) - *Harry and Walter Go to New York* (1976), as Florence - *Laverne & Shirley* (1976), series, Actor - *Hester Street* (1975), as Gitl - *Dog Day Afternoon* (1975), as Jenny — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/dog-day-afternoon.md) - *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Frances Loomis - *The Last Detail* (1973), as Young Whore - *Wedding in White* (1972), as Jeannie Dougall - *Desperate Characters* (1971), as Young Girl - *Carnal Knowledge* (1971), as Jennifer - *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Eliza Southgate, Francis Loomis - *The First Seven Years*, as Mrs. Feld ## Gallery - ![Wash D.C. 2004](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-f17fc70bbf39.jpg) Wash D.C. 2004 — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Carol_Kane_%2849491902566%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Wash D.C. 2004](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-9570f9acfb4a.jpg) Wash D.C. 2004 — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Carol_Kane_%2849489867821%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Carol Kane](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-1d5bdd28de46.jpg) Carol Kane — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Carol_Kane_%282018%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Carol_Kane_%282018%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Carol Kane and Gene Wilder in a publicity photo for The World's Greatest Lover (1977)](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-f984e4d9b2fd.jpg) Carol Kane and Gene Wilder in a publicity photo for The World's Greatest Lover (1977) — Studio/Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Carol_Kane_1977_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Carol Kane](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-47fc7307bb12.jpg) Carol Kane — Image via TMDB - ![Carol Kane](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-ece7c9f5b483.jpg) Carol Kane — Image via TMDB - ![Carol Kane](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-e176df5b709c.jpg) Carol Kane — Image via TMDB - ![LOVE IS NOT FOREIGN -- Andy Kaufman stars as Latka Gravas, a mechanic of unknown national origin, and Carol Kane stars as Simka Gravas, his immigrant bride, in (1982)](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-7057a5436073.jpg) LOVE IS NOT FOREIGN -- Andy Kaufman stars as Latka Gravas, a mechanic of unknown national origin, and Carol Kane stars as Simka Gravas, his immigrant bride, in (1982) — NBC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Andy_Kaufman_and_Carol_Kane_1982.jpg/1280px-Andy_Kaufman_and_Carol_Kane_1982.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Carol Kane and Gene Wilder in a publicity photo for The World's Greatest Lover (1977)](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-b0dc3c810f63.jpg) Carol Kane and Gene Wilder in a publicity photo for The World's Greatest Lover (1977) — Studio/Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Carol_Kane_Gene_Wilder_1977.jpg/1280px-Carol_Kane_Gene_Wilder_1977.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Carol Kane](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-5c1d9170d307.jpg) Carol Kane — Image via TMDB - ![Carol Kane](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-ba21030d3e54.jpg) Carol Kane — Image via TMDB - ![Carol Kane](https://film.one/media/person/61609/gallery-30c26db46d33.jpg) Carol Kane — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1976: Best Actress (nominated), for *Hester Street* ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 2 won - 1983: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Taxi* - 1982: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Taxi* ### Other awards — 1 won - Ohio Women's Hall of Fame 1988: Ohio Women's Hall of Fame (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/carol-kane