Julie Deborah Kavner (created September 7, 1950) is an American movie and television celebrity, comedian and voice artist. Produced in LA, Kavner grew up in Southern California, attending Beverly Hills High School and after San Diego State University. She received a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Show Primetime Emmy Award in 1978 and several more award nominations for playing the character. “The Tracey Ullman Show” contained a series of animated shorts about a dysfunctional family. Voices were needed for the shorts, so the producers decided to request Kavner to voice Marge. The shorts would eventually be spun off into “The Simpsons”.
Kavner continues to be described as “almost reclusive”; part of her contract says that she’ll at no time need to encourage “The Simpsons” on video. Usually cast as a “girl who’s supportive, sympathetic or self-effacingly amusing,” Kavner grew to dislike playing such characters. In 1992, she starred in “This Is My Life”, her first leading part in a feature film. Kavner has additionally appeared in live action characters in seven movies composed by Woody Allen, as well as in the Adam Sandler comedy “Click”.
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
Nominations
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television, Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance - Variety Or Music Program, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress In A Daytime Drama Special
Movies
The Simpsons Movie, Awakenings, Radio Days, Hannah and Her Sisters, This Is My Life, The Lion King 1½, Shadows and Fog, New York Stories, Deconstructing Harry, I'll Do Anything, Dr. Dolittle, Forget Paris, Click, Judy Berlin, Revenge of the Stepford Wives, Don't Drink the Water, Alice, National Lam...
TV Shows
Tracey Takes On..., The Tracey Ullman Show, Rhoda, The Simpsons
Star Sign
Virgo
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Trademark
1
Husky voice
2
Best known as the voice of "Marge Simpson" on the TV show The Simpsons (1989)
Made her first great personal hit in Los Angeles "Little Theatre" in Robert Patrick's "Cheep Theatricks" singing a mock-ecological song called "Don't Poison the Piranhas".
9
Graduated from San Diego State University, along with actor Carl Weathers, in 1971.
10
Julie went in to audition for a guest spot on The Mary Tyler Moore (1970) Show. They loved her, but felt she wasn't right for the part. When Rhoda (1974) was created, they knew they wanted her for the part of "Brenda". The role was written with her in mind.
TV Series 1 episode, 2005 performer - 47 episodes, 1990 - 2015
A Fine Romance
1983
TV Movie performer: "A Fine Romance"
Rhoda
1975
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Woody Allen: A Documentary
2012
Documentary
Herself
American Masters
2011
TV Series documentary
Herself
Broadcast News: James L. Brooks - A Singular Voice
2011
Video short
Herself
The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3-D! On Ice!
2010
TV Special documentary
Herself
TV's All-Time Funniest: A Paley Center for Media Special
2008
TV Special
Herself
Rove Live
2007
TV Series
Herself / Marge Simpson
American Idol
2007
TV Series
Marge Simpson
Biography
2006
TV Series documentary
Herself
Inside the Actors Studio
2003
TV Series
Herself - Guest
'The Simpsons': America's First Family
2000
TV Special documentary
Herself
The 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1999
TV Special
Herself (voice, uncredited)
The Making of 'Forget Paris'
1995
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Late Show with David Letterman
1994
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Oprah Winfrey Show
1992
TV Series
Marge Simpson
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1990
TV Special
Marge Simpson - Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series & Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
Comic Relief IV
1990
TV Special documentary
Marge Simpson (voice)
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1989
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program / Presenter: Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series & Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Tracey Ullman: Backstage
1988
TV Movie documentary
Herself
The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1987
TV Special
Herself - Nominee
Hour Magazine
1984
TV Series
Herself
The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1978
TV Special
Herself - Winner: Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Dinah!
1975-1977
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Hollywood Squares
1975
TV Series
Guest Appearance
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bettie Page Reveals All
2012
Documentary
Marge Simpson
The Simpsons: Celebrity Friends
2010
TV Movie documentary
Marge Simpson (uncredited)
The Simpsons: Mischief & Mayhem
2010
TV Movie documentary
Marge Simpson (uncredited)
The Simpsons: Access All Areas
2010
TV Movie documentary
Marge Simpson (uncredited)
Planet Voice
2007
TV Series
Marge Simpson
CyberWorld
2000
Short
Marge Simpson
Patty Bouvier
Selma Bouvier
The Best of Tracey Takes On...
1996
TV Movie
Midge Dexter [Lesbian Golfer]
The Simpsons
1995
TV Series
Marge Simpson
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2004
Young Artist Award
Young Artist Awards
Most Popular Mom & Pop in a Television Series
The Simpsons (1989)
1992
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
1990
American Comedy Award
American Comedy Awards, USA
Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series
The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
1990
American Comedy Award
American Comedy Awards, USA
Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
New York Stories (1989)
1978
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Rhoda (1974)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2015
BTVA Television Voice Acting Award
Behind the Voice Actors Awards
Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical
The Simpsons (1989)
2014
BTVA Television Voice Acting Award
Behind the Voice Actors Awards
Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical
The Simpsons (1989)
2013
BTVA Television Voice Acting Award
Behind the Voice Actors Awards
Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical
The Simpsons (1989)
2008
Annie
Annie Awards
Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
2006
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
2003
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
2002
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
2001
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
2000
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
1999
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
1998
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Voice-Over Performance
The Simpsons (1989)
1998
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Actress in a Cable Series
Tracey Takes On... (1996)
1998
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series
Tracey Takes On... (1996)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
1989
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
1988
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
1987
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)
1979
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Television Series
Rhoda (1974)
1977
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Supporting Actress - Television
Rhoda (1974)
1977
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Rhoda (1974)
1976
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Supporting Actress - Television
Rhoda (1974)
1976
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Rhoda (1974)
1975
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Supporting Actress - Television
Rhoda (1974)
1975
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series