Madeline Kahn

A veteran of stage and screen, Boston native Madeline Kahn began life as Madeline Gail Wolfson on Sept. 29, 1942. She took up acting in high school and appeared in numerous productions while attending New York's Hofstra University.

After a stint on stage, Kahn landed her breakout film role in the uproarious What's Up Doc? (1972). Playing a minx in 1973's Paper Moon, Kahn received a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination. A favorite of director Mel Brooks, she starred in four of his wacky comedies: 1974's Blazing Saddles (racking up another Oscar nod), Young Frankenstein (also '74), High Anxiety (1977) and History of the World: Part I (1981).

Kahn's other memorable movies include Clue (1985) and Nixon (1995); in 1998, she lent her voice to the animated blockbuster A Bug's Life. The vibrant actress succumbed to ovarian cancer Dec. 3, 1999.

Filmography