For 25 years, Bunny Levine worked as a school librarian, building a life far removed from Hollywood while carrying a childhood dream she had never completely abandoned. Then, at an age when many people begin thinking about retirement, she decided it was finally time to pursue it.
What followed was an extraordinary second act.
Levine, the beloved character actress whose extensive credits included Gilmore Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, Law & Order, Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, Raising Hope, Shameless, and La La Land, has died at the age of 97.
She passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Tarzana, California, on August 20, according to her manager, Brandon Kjar. Her death is believed to have been from natural causes.
Born Bernice Levine on December 22, 1928, in East Orange, New Jersey, she had dreamed about performing since childhood. But rather than immediately pursuing entertainment, Levine devoted much of her early adult life to education.
She earned master’s degrees from both New York University and Columbia University and spent approximately 25 years working as a school librarian.
Then came 1985.
Levine retired from education, but instead of settling into a quieter life, she finally gave herself permission to pursue the ambition she had carried for decades.
Nearly 60 years old, she began auditioning.
Slowly, the former librarian started accumulating credits. Early appearances included Cadillac Man and Law & Order, and before long, Levine discovered that she had a particular talent for memorable character roles.
One of her more unusual early television appearances came on The Dr. Ruth Show. Levine portrayed a widow seeking advice about beginning a romantic relationship after losing her husband.
Years later, she remembered the experience with characteristic humor.
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