--- name: "Marilu Henner" canonical: "https://film.one/person/marilu-henner" roles: ["Actor"] born: "6 April 1952" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 4 updated: "2026-09-19T11:38:40.154216+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." --- # Marilu Henner Actor. Born 6 April 1952 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 6 April 1952, Chicago, Illinois, USA - **Active:** 1978–present - **Also known as:** Mary Lucy Denise Henner - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 4 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 86 (1), 1990s 82 (1), 2000s 82 (1), 2020s 51 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 67 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 3, Drama 2, Animation 1, Crime 1, Fantasy 1, Mystery 1 - **Screen time:** 3 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $123m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilu_Henner, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q270747, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000447/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/21619 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Taxi*](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md) (86), [*Party Down*](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) (82) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Marilu Henner > Marilu Henner's Elaine Nardo in *Taxi* is the case for her: a woman who can be exasperated and wounded in the same breath and get a laugh from both. The parts that followed asked for less, and she did them briskly. Watch Elaine O'Connor-Nardo come through the garage door in *Taxi* (1978) and you can see the whole of what Marilu Henner does. Elaine is the one driver who does not think of herself as a driver: she has children at home and a gallery job she means to get, and she treats the cab as an interruption to her real life that has lasted several years. Henner plays that without self-pity. A sharp line aimed at Danny DeVito's dispatcher and a flinch at being underestimated come from the same place, and she can give us both inside a single reaction. The joke and the hurt arrive together, which is why the character lasts. She came to it from the stage. She was in the original Chicago production of *Grease* in 1971, as Marty, and made her first film with *Between the Lines* (1977) before *Taxi* ran from 1978 to 1983 and settled what she would be known for. The films that followed used her quickly and put her down again: Trudi in *L.A. Story* (1991), Belinda Blair in the film of *Noises Off* (1992), a farce that at least wanted the timing she had. Television gave her the longer parts, chiefly Ava Evans Newton opposite Burt Reynolds in *Evening Shade* from 1990 to 1994. Since then there has been guest work, voice acting for the *Batman* series, a return to Broadway in *Chicago*, and a run of Hallmark Channel films that has continued into the 2020s. What works is the timing, which is a dancer's. She trained at her mother's studio in Chicago, and it shows in how she crosses a set and, more usefully, in when she stops. In *Taxi* she and Judd Hirsch could let a disappointment sit for a beat before the next laugh arrived, which is rarer in a sitcom than it sounds, and the programme is better for it. We were moved, more than we thought a garage full of gag lines could manage, by how plainly tired she lets Elaine be between the jokes. That weariness is the performance; the wisecracks are how Elaine gets through the shift. What does not work is harder to find, partly because nobody has asked much of her since. The later parts are of a kind, the nurturing or sharp-tongued supporting woman, and the Hallmark mysteries follow a pattern she appears content with. We have not reviewed them and will not judge them here, beyond saying that a performer this quick deserved more scripts that knew what to do with quickness. She has said herself that *Taxi* "was more than just a project. It was kind of my life for five years." For the viewer it is where to start, and on the evidence in front of us it is where most of the case still rests. ## Biography Marilu Henner is an American actress, singer, author and producer. Born Mary Lucy Denise Henner on 6 April 1952 in Chicago, Illinois, she began her career in the original Broadway production of the musical *Grease* in 1971 and made her screen debut in the 1977 film *Between the Lines*. She is best known for her role as Elaine O'Connor-Nardo in the sitcom *Taxi* (1978–1983), for which she received five Golden Globe Award nominations. Henner has appeared in numerous television series and films, including guest roles in *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013) and *Two and a Half Men* (2003), as well as voice work in *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992) and the film *Man on the Moon* (1999). She later played Pepper McMasters in the series *Party Down* (2009). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, partydown.fandom.com.* ## On Fi1m (4) - *Haunted Mansion* (2023), Fi1m 51, as Carol Tourist — [page](https://film.one/film/haunted-mansion.md) - *Party Down* (2009), Fi1m 82, as Pepper McMasters — [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) - *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Additional Voices (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md) - *Taxi* (1978), Fi1m 86, as Elaine O'Connor-Nardo — [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md) ## Complete filmography (101) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Miss Valentine* (2025), as Candace Sutton - *A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story* (2025), as Lisa's Grandmother - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Death at the Diner* (2024), as Aida Teagarden - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Lesson in Murder* (2024), as Aida Teagarden - *Haunted Mansion* (2023), as Carol Tourist — Fi1m 51, [page](https://film.one/film/haunted-mansion.md) - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New* (2023), as Aida Teagarden - *A Kismet Christmas* (2022), as Grandma Mia - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Haunted By Murder* (2022), as Aida Teagarden - *A Kiss Before Christmas* (2021), as Rona - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Honeymoon, Honeymurder* (2021), as Aida Teagarden - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Til Death Do Us Part* (2021), as Aida Teagarden - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: How to Con A Con* (2021), as Aida Teagarden - *The Mimic* (2021), as The Assistant Editor - *Love, Lights, Hanukkah!* (2020), as Ruth Berman - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Reunited and It Feels So Deadly* (2020), as Aida Teagarden - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Heist and Seek* (2020), as Aida Teagarden - *Bob Hearts Abishola* (2019), series, as Trish - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Very Foul Play* (2019), as Aida Teagarden - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: An Inheritance to Die For* (2019), as Aida Teagarden - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: A Game of Cat and Mouse* (2019), as Aida Teagarden - *Imperfections* (2018), as Val Harper - *The Neighborhood* (2018), series, as Paula - *Life with Dog* (2018), as Alice Bigler - *Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: The Disappearing Game* (2018), as Aida Teagarden - *Reap What You Sew: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2018), as Aida Teagarden - *Last Scene Alive: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2018), as Aida Teagarden - *A Bundle of Trouble: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2017), as Aida Teagarden - *Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2017), as Aida Teagarden - *The Julius House: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2016), as Aida Teagarden - *Love on a Limb* (2016), as Zee Roarke - *In-Lawfully Yours* (2016), as Naomi - *Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2016), as Aida Teagarden - *Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2015), as Aida Teagarden - *A Bone to Pick: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery* (2015), as Aida Teagarden - *Signed, Sealed, Delivered* (2014), series, as Glynis Rucker - *June in January* (2014), as Diana Blackwell - *The Crazy Ones* (2013), series, as Paige - *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013), series, as Vivian Ludley — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md) - *Hitched for the Holidays* (2012), as Maxine - *Christmas Crush* (2012), as Beverly Hunt - *Vamps* (2012), as Angela - *Unforgettable* (2011), series, as Aunt Evie - *Accidentally in Love* (2011), as Carol - *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Elizabeth Kilbride - *Party Down* (2009), series, as Pepper McMasters — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) - *The Governor's Wife* (2008), as Ann Danville - *Good Behavior* (2008), as Sydney Lake - *America's Ballroom Challenge* (2006), series, Actor - *Living with Fran* (2005), series, Actor - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Alice Moser — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Regina Landers - *Gone But Not Forgotten* (2005), as Nancy Gordon - *Center of the Universe* (2004), series, as Sharon Singleton - *Love Rules!* (2004), as Carol - *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Linda - *Greg the Bunny* (2002), series, Actor - *Enemies of Laughter* (2000), as Dani - *Rocket's Red Glare* (2000), as Meg Baker - *Lost in the Pershing Point Hotel* (2000), as Mother - *A Tale of Two Bunnies* (2000), as Miranda - *A Vision of Murder: The Story of Donielle* (2000), Executive Producer - *Providence* (1999), series, as Georgia - *The Titanic Chronicles* (1999), as (voice) - *Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero* (1998), as Veronica Vreeland (voice) - *George & Leo* (1997), series, Actor - *The New Batman Adventures* (1997), series, as Veronica Vreeland (voice) - *Titanic* (1996), series, as Margaret "Molly" Brown - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *For the Future: The Irvine Fertility Scandal* (1996), as Debbie Challender - *My Son Is Innocent* (1996), as Margaret Sutter - *Fight for Justice: The Nancy Conn Story* (1995), as Nancy Conn - *Abandoned and Deceived* (1995), Executive Producer - *Cybill* (1995), series, as Terry Belmont - *ER* (1994), series, as Linda — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Chasers* (1994), as Katie, Waitress - *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993), as Additional Voices (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md) - *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Veronica Vreeland (voice) - *Noises Off...* (1992), as Belinda Blair / Flavia Brent - *Chains of Gold* (1991), as Jackie - *L.A. Story* (1991), as Trudi - *Evening Shade* (1990), series, as Ava Evans Newton - *Ladykillers* (1988), as Samantha Flannery - *Channel 99* (1988), Actor - *Grand Larceny* (1987), as Freddy Grand - *Love with a Perfect Stranger* (1986), as Victoria Ducane - *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, as Claire - *Perfect* (1985), as Sally - *Rustlers' Rhapsody* (1985), as Miss Tracy - *Stark* (1985), as Ashley Walters - *Johnny Dangerously* (1984), as Lil - *Who's the Boss?* (1984), series, Actor - *Cannonball Run II* (1984), as Betty - *Mister Roberts* (1984), as Nurse Girard - *The Man Who Loved Women* (1983), as Agnes Chapman - *Hammett* (1982), as Kit Conger / Sue Alabama - *Dream House* (1981), as Laura Griffith - *Bloodbrothers* (1978), as Annette - *Taxi* (1978), series, as Elaine O'Connor-Nardo — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md) - *Between the Lines* (1977), as Danielle - *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Louise - *Higher Love*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Marilu Henner](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-18b6a727d0bc.jpg) Marilu Henner — Jeff Katz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Marilu_Henner_2011.jpg/1280px-Marilu_Henner_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Marilu Henner at a performance of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker in December 2010.](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-060d560ce057.jpg) Marilu Henner at a performance of The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker in December 2010. — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/MariluHennerDec10.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Marilu Henner at the Governor's Ball following t he 1991 Emmy Awards. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please ](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-7c7e9ea666fc.jpg) Marilu Henner at the Governor's Ball following t he 1991 Emmy Awards. NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Marilu_Henner_%282075857925%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Marilu Henner at the 2014 Arizona Ultimate Women's Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Taken on October 18, 2014. Photo by Gage Skidmore](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-793c21299902.jpg) Marilu Henner at the 2014 Arizona Ultimate Women's Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Taken on October 18, 2014. Photo by Gage Skidmore — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Marilu_Henner_Oct_2014.jpg/1280px-Marilu_Henner_Oct_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Marilu Henner](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-a90aea0dd127.jpg) Marilu Henner — Image via TMDB - ![Marilu Henner](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-f9f5c69ee546.jpg) Marilu Henner — Image via TMDB - ![Marilu Henner at the 2014 Arizona Ultimate Women's Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Taken on October 18, 2014. Photo by Gage Skidmore](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-6527ff3f8c47.jpg) Marilu Henner at the 2014 Arizona Ultimate Women's Expo at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Taken on October 18, 2014. Photo by Gage Skidmore — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Marilu_Henner_Oct_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Marilu_Henner_Oct_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Picture of Marilu Henner, taken July 23, 2010.](https://film.one/media/person/94635/gallery-9813cfc3a2a0.jpg) Picture of Marilu Henner, taken July 23, 2010. — Jeff Katz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Marilu_Henner_Broccoli_Earrings_2010.jpg/1280px-Marilu_Henner_Broccoli_Earrings_2010.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 0 won, 2 nominated - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress 1986: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Rustlers' Rhapsody* - Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress 1985: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Cannonball Run II* *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/marilu-henner