Karen Lynn Gorney Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Saturday Night Fever, Height, Parents, Movies

Karen Lynn Gorney is an American actress and singer best known for her role as Stephanie Mangano in the iconic 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, where she starred alongside John Travolta, and for her portrayal of Tara Martin on the soap opera All My Children.

With a career spanning film, television, and theater, Gorney has showcased her versatility as a classically trained actress, earning accolades such as the People’s Choice and European Bravo Awards.

Profile

• Full Name: Karen Lynn Gorney
• Stage Name: Karen Lynn Gorney
• Born: 28, January 1945
• Age: 80 years old
• Birthplace: Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Singer
• Height: 1.62m
• Parents: Sondra Karyl Gorney, Jay Gorney
• Siblings: Daniel Gorney, Roderic Gorney
• Spouse: Ken Golden (m. 1966–1972), Mark Toback (m. 1995)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Karen Lynn Gorney was born on January 28, 1945, in Beverly Hills, California, to Sondra Karyl Gorney, a writer, dancer, and actress, and Jay Gorney, a renowned composer. She grew up with her brother Daniel Gorney and half-brother Roderic Gorney, a professor and physician at UCLA.

Raised in a Jewish family, she moved to New York City, where she attended the High School of Performing Arts. Gorney earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Speech from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Fine Arts from Brandeis University, honing her craft as a versatile performer.

Career

Karen Lynn Gorney began her acting career with her film debut in David and Lisa (1962), playing a teenage resident of a mental health facility. Her early work included stage performances and a role in the 1970 film The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart.

She gained significant recognition as Tara Martin on All My Children from 1970 to 1974, a role she briefly reprised in 1976–1977 before being replaced. Her preparation for roles, including studying accents and character depth, showcased her dedication, notably when she auditioned for Saturday Night Fever against her agent’s advice, securing the role of Stephanie Mangano.

Gorney’s role in Saturday Night Fever (1977) marked the peak of her early career, where she portrayed a driven dancer opposite John Travolta, earning widespread acclaim and cementing her association with the disco era. After the film, she appeared on Hollywood Squares in 1978 and pursued music, recording her album Used to Love You Madly in 1979, inspired by her Saturday Night Fever character.

Following a hiatus in the 1980s, during which she managed an art gallery in Manhattan, she returned to acting in the 1990s with roles in films like The Hard Way (1991) and Ripe (1996), and made cameo appearances on All My Children in 1995.

Gorney’s later career has been marked by a blend of independent films, theater, and music. She has performed in stage productions like Cymbeline (2010) as Belaria, From Silence (2016) as Esther, and Monsterface (2008) at the Irish Rep Theater.

Her film roles include A Crime (2006) with Harvey Keitel, Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021), and upcoming projects like Pillow Talk (2022). As a singer, she has released three albums: Used to Love You Madly, Hot Moonlight!, and The Dance of the Deadly’s, performing at jazz clubs and cafes. Her enduring presence in theater, film, and music, along with her disco-era legacy, continues to resonate with audiences.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @karenlynngorneyfan
• Twitter Handle: @KarenLynnGorney

Personal Life

Karen Lynn Gorney married actor Ken Golden in 1966, but the couple divorced in 1972 after six years. In 1995, she married Mark Toback, and they remain together, residing in New York City.

Gorney has no children and maintains a private personal life, focusing public attention on her professional endeavors. Her passion for the arts extends beyond acting, as she has pursued singing and visual arts, including managing an art gallery during her acting hiatus.

Filmography

• David and Lisa (1962)
• The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart (1970)
• Saturday Night Fever (1977)
• The Hard Way (1991)
• Ripe (1996)
• Men in Black (1997, uncredited)
• A Crime (2006)
• Searching for Bobby D (2005)
• Creating Karma (2006)
• Dear J (2008)
• Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)
• Somewhere in Queens (2022)

Net Worth

Karen Lynn Gorney has an estimated net worth of $1 million. Her income primarily derives from her acting career, including her iconic role in Saturday Night Fever, television work on All My Children, and appearances in independent films.