Laraine Newman (born March 2, 1952) is an American comedian and actress.
Newman was born in Los Angeles, California and attended Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California. She began her comedy career as a founding member of The Groundlings and is most well known for being an original cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live, appearing on the show from its inception in 1975 through 1980. She originated the character of The Valley Girl among others.
According to the book Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live, Newman was frustrated with her lack of airtime on Saturday Night Live and had a rivalry with Gilda Radner. Newman's post-SNL film career has been limited, but she has achieved greater success in supporting roles and as a voice artist on television and features, including appearances on such programs Laverne & Shirley, According to Jim, St. Elsewhere, Amazing Stories, Friends, The Tick, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Histeria!, As Told By Ginger, Rugrats (in "All Growed Up", an episode which would form the basis of the spinoff All Grown Up!, for which she also provided voice work), Avatar the Last Airbender and Metalocalypse. Most recently she appeared in an episode of Entourage and Brothers and Sisters. For a full list of credits, go to IMDB.
Sister of writer/producer Tracy Newman (II).
An alumna of the Groundlings comedy troupe in Los Angeles.
Two Daughters Lena 1991, Hannah 1995
In the late 1960s she was a member of the Richmond Shepard Mime Troup.
She attended Beverly Hills High School and California Institute of the Arts.
Began studying improvisational comedy at age 15.
