Collection: LAINIE KAZAN: THE JAZZ HERITAGE SOCIETY RECORDINGS
Lainie Kazan is a powerhouse of American entertainment, a performer whose career spans Broadway, film, television, and the jazz circuit with effortless grace. Born in Brooklyn in 1940, Kazan’s "big break" is the stuff of show business legend: while serving as Barbra Streisand’s understudy in the original 1964 production of Funny Girl, she went on for the star for one day, delivering two performances that earned her instant acclaim and launched her as a premier "chanteuse."
Her sultry, soulful voice made her a fixture of the nightclub scene, leading to 26 appearances on The Dean Martin Show and the opening of her own "Lainie’s Room" jazz clubs at the Playboy Clubs in Los Angeles and New York. On the big screen, Kazan found a second act as one of Hollywood’s most beloved matriarchs. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role in My Favorite Year (later receiving a Tony nomination for the musical adaptation) and became a global household name as Maria Portokalos in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise.
With an Emmy-nominated television career and a life membership at The Actors Studio, Kazan remains a vibrant symbol of old-school glamour and contemporary heart. Whether belting a ballad or delivering a sharp comedic line, her presence continues to illuminate the stage and screen.
