'Gilmore Girls' actor Bunny Levine dies at 97
What's the story
Bunny Levine, a Hollywood actor who appeared in Gilmore Girls, You Don't Mess With the Zohan, and Thelma, among several other shows and films, has died. She was 97. Levine died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday at her home in Tarzana, California, reported NBC Los Angeles. Her manager also confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
Background
Levine's life before acting
Born on December 22, 1928, in East Orange, New Jersey, Levine developed an interest in acting early on.
However, after graduating high school, she put her dreams on hold for 25 years to work as a school librarian and raise her three children.
After retiring from her librarian job and losing her husband, Bernard Levine, in 2003, she moved to Los Angeles.
She began taking acting classes and auditioning for roles.
TV roles
Her extensive television career
Levine built an extensive resume of television appearances over the years.
Her roles included guest spots on popular shows such as Law & Order, Everybody Loves Raymond, Gilmore Girls, Ugly Betty, Private Practice, Criminal Minds, 2 Broke Girls, Raising Hope, Southland, and New Girl.
She also appeared in Getting On and Fuller House.
Filmography
Her work in films
Levine's film credits included Slime City, The Jimmy Show, A Thousand Words, La La Land and the Adam Sandler-starrer comedy You Don't Mess With the Zohan in 2008.
She later reunited with Sandler for Sandy Wexler in 2017 and the 2023 Netflix film You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.
Her recent roles included The Invisible Raptor (2023), Sacramento (2024), starring Kristen Stewart and Michael Cera, and Thelma (2024), starring June Squibb.