Additional Coverage:
- ‘Gilmore Girls’ Actress Dead at 97 (parade.com)
Bunny Levine, the cherished actress known for her memorable roles on television series like Gilmore Girls and Shameless, as well as several Adam Sandler films, has passed away at the age of 97.
According to her manager, Levine died peacefully in her sleep. NBC Los Angeles reported that she passed away on Thursday, August 20, at her home in Tarzana, California. Authorities were called to her residence that morning after a report of an unresponsive person.
Levine’s journey to Hollywood was unconventional. While she harbored a passion for acting from a young age, she spent 25 years working as a school librarian after high school.
It wasn’t until after retirement that she pursued acting seriously, taking classes and auditioning for roles. Following the death of her husband, Bernard Levine, in 2003, she relocated to Los Angeles to follow her dream.
Her extensive resume includes appearances on popular shows such as Law & Order, Everybody Loves Raymond, Ugly Betty, Private Practice, Criminal Minds, 2 Broke Girls, Raising Hope, Southland, New Girl, Getting On, The Mindy Project, Fuller House, Shameless, and Dave. She also appeared in films including Slime City, The Jimmy Show, A Thousand Words, and La La Land.
Levine collaborated with Adam Sandler on three of his films: You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (2008), Sandy Wexler (2017), and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023).
Tributes poured in following news of her passing. One admirer wrote, “RIP Bunny Levine, one of the oldest actors working regularly in Hollywood.
Often playing a dirty grandma, she had a great delivery – and she got her start in her 60s. I remember seeing her in the semi-recent ‘Thelma.’”
Another commented, “Bunny was a lovely powerhouse of a woman and a terrific actress. An example for all of us in our industry.
Rest in peace, Bunny; may your memory be a blessing.”
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- ‘Gilmore Girls’ Actress Dead at 97 (parade.com)