Lainie Kazan Biography: Ex-Husband, Children, Age, Parents, Height, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Instagram

Lainie Kazan is a legendary American actress, singer, and classical composer known for her powerful voice, vibrant stage presence, and memorable character roles in film and television.

Rising from Broadway understudy to Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl to iconic mother portrayals like Maria Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, she has delivered acclaimed performances across musical theatre, nightclub acts, and Hollywood comedies while releasing multiple albums and earning Emmy and Tony nominations.

Lainie Kazan
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Lainie Levine
Stage Name:	Lainie Kazan
Born:	May 15, 1940 (age 86 years old)
Place of Birth:	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Nationality:	American
Ethnicity:	Jewish
Height:	168 cm
Religion:	Judaism
Parents:	Ben Levine and Carole Kazan
Siblings:	One
Spouse:	Peter H. B. Daniels
Relationship:	Widowed
Children:	Jennifer Daniels
Occupation:	Actress, Singer, Composer
Net Worth:	$5 million

Early Life and Education

Lainie Kazan was born Lainie Levine on May 15, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Brought up by her parents Ben Levine and Carole Kazan in a Jewish family with Russian Ashkenazi and Sephardic Turkish roots. She grew up having one sibling.

She graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in 1956 and earned a B.A. in Speech and Drama from Hofstra University in 1960 with a minor in Education. Her religion is Judaism. Her ethnicity is Jewish.

Career

Lainie Kazan began her professional journey in the early 1960s with Broadway roles including The Happiest Girl in the World and understudying Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl where she performed the lead role multiple times.

She built a successful nightclub singing career releasing albums on MGM Records and performing across the country.

Transitioning to acting she earned a Golden Globe nomination for My Favorite Year and appeared in films like Beaches, Harry and the Hendersons, and the My Big Fat Greek Wedding trilogy as the memorable Maria Portokalos.

Her television credits include The Nanny, St. Elsewhere for which she received an Emmy nomination, and Ugly Betty.

She has composed classical music, taught as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and UCLA, and continues performing live shows and engaging in board work for arts organizations. Her versatile career spans over six decades of stage, screen, and song.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @lainie_kazan
• YouTube Channel: Lainie Kazan
• TikTok Handle: Lainie Kazan

Personal Life

Lainie Kazan met musical director Peter H. B. Daniels while working on Funny Girl. They began a relationship and married in 1971 after the birth of their daughter Jennifer Daniels.

The couple divorced in 1976 but remained connected until his death in 1989. She has one daughter Jennifer Daniels and is a grandmother.

There are no other publicly known past relationships. She is widowed and prioritizes family alongside her creative work. She is 86 years old. Her height is 168 cm.

Net Worth

Lainie Kazan‘s net worth is estimated at $5 million USD. Her income primarily comes from acting roles in films and television, singing performances and album sales, Broadway productions, residuals from iconic movies like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, teaching, and public appearances.

Discography/Filmography

• The Happiest Girl in the World (1961 Broadway)
• Funny Girl (1960s Broadway understudy and performer)
• My Favorite Year (1982)
• Beaches (1988)
• Harry and the Hendersons (1987)
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)
• The Nanny (recurring as Aunt Frieda)
• St. Elsewhere (Emmy-nominated guest role)
• In the Groove (album)
• Body and Soul (album)