UCLA grad Joanna Merlin made her first film appearance in 1956, as one of Jethro's daughters in the Cecil B. DeMille superspectacular The Ten Commandments. Five years later she first stepped on a Broadway stage in Jean Anouilh's Becket. Her subsequent theatrical credits include the role of Tzeitel in the original 1964 production of Fiddler on the Roof. In films, she has specialized in such ethnically oriented character roles as the landlady in Hester Street (1975). From bag ladies to judges, Merlin has played 'em all. More recently, Joanna Merlin has functioned as a Hollywood casting director.
Joanna Merlin
Active - 1956 - 2017 |
Born - Jul 15, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
Genres - Drama, Family & Personal Relationships, Thriller
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Biography by AllMovie
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- Made her film debut in the 1956 biblical epic The Ten Commandments, playing Jethro's Daughter.
- Was a member of the Tony Awards Nominating Committee.
- Was a student of Michael Chekhov, and is the Founder and President of MICHA - the Michael Chekhov Association.
- Published her book Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide in 2001.
- Shared her theatre industry knowledge in the 2007 instructional video Master Classes in the Michael Chekhov Technique.
- Co-founded the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts.