SVU actress Joanna Marlin dies at 92

Joanna Merlin’s filmography, known for her Broadway roles. fame On TV, she played the role of the no-nonsense judge Lena Petrovsky. Law and Order: SVUpassed away at the age of 92. Her death was announced by New York University’s Tisch Graduate School of Acting Program, where she had been a faculty member since 1998.

“Joanna is an actress, teacher of Chekhov, and former casting director for Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Bernardo Bertolucci, and James Ivory,” a statement from New York University said. “Joanna will be greatly missed by her work as a graduate student, by those in the Chekhov world, and by the many people affected through her artistry.”

Merlin is known for his work as a casting director and played a key role in the casting of several iconic Broadway productions by Stephen Sondheim. She served as Harold Prince’s trusted casting director for many years.

The specific cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Born Joan Ratner on July 15, 1931 in Chicago, she adopted her stage name when she began her show business journey. Her career led her to the Broadway stage, where she appeared in three high-profile roles, including the 1960 original version of “Beckett,” starring Laurence Olivier and Anthony Quinn, and the 1961 original version, “Distant Country,” starring Kim Stanley. I appeared in a work that I should have done.

Merlin’s big stage breakthrough came in 1964 when she played Tevye the Milkman’s eldest daughter, Zeitel, in the hit musical. fiddler on the roof. Her character’s desire to marry a poor seamstress Motel was a key element of the story, and she was part of her memorable musical number, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.”

Following her role, violinist, Merlin shifted his focus specifically to casting on Broadway. She played important roles in some of Stephen Sondheim’s most important musicals. company, follies, a little night music, pacific overture, Sweeney Toddmore.

Merlin’s screen career began with her role as Jethro’s daughter in director Cecil B. DeMille. ten commandments (1956), and then had small roles in television and movies in the 1960s and ’70s, including: naked city and Bob Diane’s all that jazz.

Merlin played guest roles and bit parts in films such as: Mr. Wonderful and eccentricity He also appeared in subsequent television series. new york undercover, all my children, good wifeand hometown.

For television fans, her role will be remembered forever. Law and order franchise. She also appeared in the original work, Law and order In the mid-1990s series, she played the serious and formidable judge Lena Petrovsky for more than 40 episodes. Law and Order: SVU Her roles from 2000 to 2011 were defining roles for the rest of her career.