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Carolyn Laurie Kane aka Carol Kane has established herself as a prominent name in the American comedy landscape over the past five decades. Coming from a Jewish family in Cleveland, Ohio, Kane had an interest in the performing arts from an early age. In fact, she started off her on-screen career as early as her teen years in supporting roles in films like Carnal Knowledge (1971) and Desperate Characters (1971).
Carol Kane has appeared in numerous films and shows since then, playing a wide variety of characters across multiple genres. However, throughout her long-spanning career, Kane has arguably shone better in quirky or offbeat roles with nuanced personalities.
This article offers a glimpse into the career of an industry veteran throughout the years. The titles listed below are some of our top picks of films and TV shows starring Carol Kane.
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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Annie Hall, and 5 other movies and TV shows starring Carol Kane
1) Taxi
Taxi is a popular sitcom series originally from the house of ABC, which aired in the late 70s. The series was developed by the creators of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977), James L. Brookes, Stan Daniels, David Davis, and Ed Weinberger while James Burrows was the director for the initial run. The series aired five seasons between 1978 and 1983, moving to NBC for its final season.
The show had an ensemble cast including Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Tony Danza, and Andy Kaufman among others in pivotal roles. Taxi was a favorite among both critics and the audience, and went on to win numerous prestigious accolades.
Carol Kane played the character of Simka Dahblitz-Gravas, wife to Kaufman's Latka Gavis and hailing from the same European country as him. The chemistry between them received praise, even winning Kane two Emmys for her performance.
2) Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is an absurdist sitcom series from the house of Netflix. Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, the series premiered in 2015 and streamed four seasons till 2019. It also released a Netflix original interactive film sequel, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend, in 2020.
The show stars Elizabeth Camper in the titular role alongside Carol Kane, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, and others in pivotal roles. The series was a favorite among the critics and audience, even winning numerous accolades.
Kane plays the character of Lillian Kaushtupper, a hearty and quirky New Yorker who is the landlady to the protagonist, Kimmy Schmidt.
3) Gotham
Gotham is a superhero crime drama series from the House of Fox. The DC comic-inspired series was developed for the screen by Bruno Heller and aired five seasons between 2014 and 2019.
The series featured an ensemble cast, including the likes of Ben McKenzie, Cameron Monaghan, David Mazouz, Donal Logue, Sean Pertwee, and others in central roles alongside many others in a revolving set of characters. Carol Kane plays the role of Gertrud Kapelput, mother to Oswald Cobblepot aka The Penguin.
Gotham was a favorite among the audience and critics, with many praising it for its style of reimagination of Batman's Gotham City and its characters.
4) Annie Hall
Annie Hall is a classic satirical rom-com film from the house of United Artists. Woody Allen directed the film with a screenplay he wrote alongside Marshall Brickman. The film premiered at the 1977 Los Angeles Film Festival before releasing across theaters.
The cast featured Diane Keaton in the titular role alongside Allen himself in the lead roles alongside Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simmon, and others in supporting characters. Kane played the character of Allison Portchnik, the first woman Allen's Alvy Singer was married to. Her character appears in flashback sequences where Alvy and Annie are talking about their former relationships.
Annie Hall is considered to be among Allen's best works and a landmark film in American cinema. The eponymous character was particularly written with Keaton in mind, and even won her the Academy Award for Best Actress among the four Oscars the film won.
5) When a Stranger Calls Back
When a Stranger Calls Back is a horror thriller TV movie from the house of Showtime. The film was written and directed by Fred Walton, as a sequel to his 1979 film, When a Stranger Calls.
The film had Carol Kane and Charles Durning reprise their characters from the previous film while Jill Schoelen, Gene Lythgow, Karen Elizabeth Austin, and others joined the cast as new members. The film received a generally positive feedback from the critics and home audience.
Carol Kane reprises the character of Jill Johnson, the babysitter who underwent a similar ritual in the first film. She returns in When a Stranger Calls Back to provide support to Jill Schoelen's Julia when she receives similarly disturbing calls.
6) Hunters
Hunters is a dark comedy conspiracy drama series from the house of Prime Video. Created by David Weil, the show released two seasons between 2020 and 2023. The show imagines a 1977 New York at risk of Nazi insurgency, with the Nazis taking justice into their own hands.
The cast features Al Pacino, Logan Lerman, Jerrika Hinton, Lena Olin, Josh Radnor, Carol Kane, and others in pivotal roles. While Hunters received praise for its theme and performances, the story-telling received flak. However, it still is an intriguing title to add to your watchlist.
Carol Kane plays the character of Mindy Markowitz, wife to Murray Markowitz and a German Jew who survived the Holocaust. She plays the role of the signals expert for the hunters alongside her husband, who is the electronics expert.
7) Dinner with the Parents
Dinner with the Parents is an American family sitcom from the house of Amazon Freevee. Created by Jon Beckerman and directed by Tristam Shapeero, the show is inspired by the popular British sitcom, Friday Night Dinner (2011-2020). The show premiered on April 18, 2024, and streamed 10 episodes in its first season.
The series stars Michaela Watkins, Dan Bakkedahl, Henry Hall, Daniel Thrasher, Carol Kane, Jon Glaser, and others in pivotal roles. The official synopsis for the show reads:
"Every Friday evening, the closely-knit Langers prove that it takes those we love best to bring out our worst. On tonight's menu; lies, betrayals, pranks, schemes, unwelcome neighbors, childhood crushes, at least one felony, many very bad decisions, and a scrumptious, freshly-baked apple crisp."
Kane plays the character of Nana Rose, the Jewish grandmother of the Langer household.
These are our top picks of movies and shows to watch if you want to witness Carol Kane's acting prowess and versatility.
