Madeline Kahn Biography

Quick Facts

NAME: Madeline Kahn
OCCUPATION: Actress
BIRTH DATE: September 29, 1942
DEATH DATE: December 03, 1999
EDUCATION: Hofstra University

PLACE OF BIRTH: Boston, Massachusetts
PLACE OF DEATH: New York, New York
Originally: Madeleine Gail Wolfson

more about Madeline

Best Known For

Madeleine Kahn was an actress of stage and screen known for her roles in Mel Brooks' comedies such as Blazing Saddles and High Anxiety.

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Madeline Kahn

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Synopsis

Primarily a comedic actress, much of Madeleine Kahn's finest work was under the direction of Mel Brooks, including 1974's Young Frankenstein and 1977's High Anxiety. Toward the end of her career, Kahn returned to the stage, winning a Tony Award for her role in Wendy Wasserstein's The Sisters Rosensweig. In 1998,

Kahn lent her voice as Gypsy in the wildly popular animated film A Bug's Life.

Profile

Actress. Born Madeline Gail Wolfson September 29, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts. Kahn began acting in high school and starred in several campus productions, eventually earning a drama scholarship to Hofstra University.

After graduating from Hofstra, Kahn performed on stage before landing a supporting role opposite Ryan O'Neal in 1973's Paper Moon. The critical acclaim continued the following year with her portrayal of saloon singer Lili Von Shtupp in Blazing Saddles. Kahn was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in both films.

Primarily a comedic actress, much of Kahn's finest work was under the direction of Mel Brooks, including 1974's Young Frankenstein and 1977's High Anxiety. Toward the end of her career, Kahn returned to the stage, winning a Tony Award for her role in Wendy Wasserstein's acclaimed play, The Sisters Rosensweig.

In 1998, Kahn lent her voice as Gypsy in the wildly popular animated film, A Bug's Life. One year later, on December 3, 1999, she died of ovarian cancer in New York. The accomplished stage and screen actress was just 57 and is survived by her husband, John Hansbury.