American actress and singer, born 15 May 1940 in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
Understudied Barbra Streisand in the original Broadway production of the musical "Funny Girl".
Her father was of Russian Jewish descent, and her maternal grandfather was a Belarusian Jewish immigrant, from Vitebsk. Lainies maternal grandmother was born in Jerusalem, to a Jewish family that had lived there for generations.
Hit #123 on the Billboard Bubbling Under singles chart in 1967 with "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" (MGM 13657).
Was named as "Queen of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1997.
In 1993, received a Tony Award nomination as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for "My Favorite Year", reprising her original role from the earlier film version of the same title, My Favorite Year .
Was the visual inspiration for the comic book character Big Barda.
Appeared in the October 1970 issue of Playboy magazine.
She studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City.
Profiled in the book, "Funny Ladies", by Stephen M. Silverman.
Attended and graduated from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Has one daughter with Peter Daniels: Jennifer Daniels. Has a granddaughter, born in 1999.
Close friends with Michele Lee.
Despite playing her mother in Beaches , Kazan is only 5 years older than Bette Midler in real life. And despite playing her grandmother on "Beverly Hills, 90210" , Kazan is only 20 years older than Gabrielle Carteris in real life.
Her husband was diagnosed in September 1988 with lung cancer and passed away five months later.
(November 2008) Appearing at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, California.
She teaches theater at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Formed a business partnership with Hugh Hefner , who created performance venues Kazan East and West to help nurture the singing aspect of her career.
Friends with Joseph Bologna.
