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Julie Kavner Biography

Birth Name:Julie Deborah Kavner

Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Shared a 2004 Young Artist Award with Dan Castellaneta for Most Popular Mom & Pop in a Television Series for "The Simpsons․"
  • Won multiple American Comedy Awards in 1990 for Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series for "New York Stories" and "The Tracey Ullman Show․"
  • Graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Drama in 1971
  • Worked as a typist at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture after graduation
  • Quote: "That's the joy of acting, you get to play people who are not you; you get to explore the dark, hidden sides of yourself․ I was brought up not to be selfish or self-centered․․․[but] you can play that person and no one will turn on you․"
  • Quote: "(On being a part of "The Tracey Ullman Show") "It was like being back in school․ A chance to play a wide variety of characters, some really vicious people, to not rest on laurels, to not play it safe․""
  • Known for her part as Marge Simpson in "The Simpsons" and for her role as Brenda Morgenstern in "Rhoda․"
  • Has appeared in several Woody Allen films
  • Will not allow anyone to film her while she is doing the voices of "The Simpsons" characters
  • Began refusing rolls as supportive, sympathetic and self-effacingly funny women after being typecast
  • Rarely makes public appearances and keeps her private life out of the public eye
  • Was never able to earn a part in her high school's plays, despite trying out several times

Awards

  • 1975Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
  • 1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1976Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1977Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actress - Television: nominated
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 1979Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Television Series: nominated
  • 1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series: winner
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Voice-Over Performance: winner
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Cable Series: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 2002OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 2003OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 2004Young Artist Award-Most Popular Mom & Pop in a Television Series: winner
  • 2006OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 2008Annie-Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
  • 2013BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical: nominated
  • 2014BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical: nominated
  • 2023OFTA TV Hall of Fame-Character: winner