Marilu Henner, whose real name is Mary Lucy Denise Henner, is a well-known American actress, host, and writer. She started dancing as a toddler and started teaching dance at her family’s Henner Dance School when she was a teenager. She was born into a family with a strong history in the fine arts. She also designed the theater shows at her school. She eventually made the decision to pursue an acting career and began taking on tiny roles in theater and television productions. She first gained notoriety for her role in the popular sitcom “Taxi,” and then made appearances in films like “Johnny Dangerously,” “The Man Who Loved Women,” “L.A. Story,” and “Man on the Moon.” In 1990, she made a comeback on television with “Evening Shade.” She has written numerous best-selling books in the areas of fitness and health, and she is also a popular novelist. In her enlightening autobiography, “By All Means Keep on Moving,” she bravely disclosed her relationships—including sexual ones—with many of her Taxi co-stars.
Early Childhood & Life
Joseph Henner and Loretta Callis welcomed Marilu Henner into the world on April 6, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. Her father was Polish, while her mother was Greek. She is the third kid out of five siblings. Her mother oversaw the Henner Dance School for 20 years while serving as president of the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts.
When she was two years old, she first enrolled in dance lessons. When she was 14 years old, she started instructing dance at her mother’s studio and choreographing dance performances for high schools and colleges.
Marilu Henner’s Career
Marilu Henner won the part of “Marty” in the Kingston Mines production of the play “Grease” in 1971 while she was a student at the University of Chicago. She was requested to reprise the role when the production moved to Broadway. She, however, declined the opportunity and instead worked for the national touring organization.
She relocated to New York, where in 1976 she landed her first Broadway role in the play “Over Here!” Pal Joey, Chicago, Social Security, and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife are some of her previous Broadway productions.
She appeared in her second picture, “Bloodbrothers,” which was released in 1978, after making her screen debut in
1977’s “Between the Lines.” The same year, she was cast in the series premiere of the hit sitcom “Taxi,” where she played cab driver and single mother Elaine O’Connor-Nardo, who aspires to pursue a career in the fine arts. She played the same part for five seasons.
She was cast in the lead female part of Wim Wenders’ 1982 film “Hammett.” She appeared in Blake Edwards’ film “The Man Who Loved Women” the next year alongside Burt Reynolds. In the same year, she also made an appearance in “Cannonball Run II.”
She was cast as the lead female opposite Michael Keaton in the movie “Johnny Dangerously” in 1984. She made a successful comeback to television in 1990 because to her performance in “Evening Shade.” For four years, she continued to play Ava Evans Newton, the spouse of an athletic director at a high school.
She released her autobiography, “By All Means Keep on Moving,” on September 5, 1994. In it, she discussed her relationships with a number of her “Taxi” co-stars, including Tony Danza and Judd Hirsch.
Her first book, “Marilu Henner’s Total Health Makeover,” was released on May 6, 1998. It was followed by “The 30-Day Total Health Makeover,” which was released on March 3, 1999, and “I Refuse To Raise A Brat,” which was released on October 12, 1999.
She portrayed herself in the 1999 biopic “Man on the Moon” about comic Andy Kaufman. The picture, which received excellent reviews, was directed by Milo Forman.
Additionally, she dabbled in reality television, hosting the PBS program “America’s Ballroom Challenge” from 2006 to 2007. She also participated in 2008’s celebrity season of Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice,” where she advanced to the eighth week before being eliminated. She also wrote a book that year called “Wear Your Life Well: Use What You Have To Get What You Want.”
She won $25,000 for charity in the ‘Grilling with the Stars’ competition on ‘Live! with Kelly’ in August 2012 as a celebrity competitor for her nutritious grilled mushroom recipe.
The most well-known of her nine books on memory, diet, and health is called “Total Health Makeover.” On her website, marilu.com, she offers online classes and supports healthy eating. She also serves as the host of the television show “The Art of Living.”
She is the host of her own program, “The Marilu Henner Show,” which is broadcast on several radio stations in America. It airs on weekdays and is distributed by Sun Broadcast Group and GCN radio.
On this show, she features guest doctors, famous guests, and health professionals. The broadcast is also live at Marilushow.com.
Henner supported Michael Brown as he fought bladder and lung cancer. In her book, “Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer,” she detailed his cancer treatment. Brown’s current health is a result of Henner’s food and lifestyle advice.
She appeared in five episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine in 2014, a police-themed sitcom that debuted on Fox. Her character was Vivian Dudley. Jake Peralta, a young but gifted investigator in Brooklyn, was the star of the show. He frequently clashed with his serious and severe new commanding officer.
She starred as Naomi in the 2016 TV movie “In-Lawfully Yours” and as Aida Teagarden in the 2016 TV movie “Three Bedrooms, One Corpse: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery.”
She appeared in the TV movies “Dead Over Heels: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery” and “Sizzle Reel-Fantastic Memorylady” in 2017.
Marilu’s Bigger Works
Her most notable early work, “Taxi,” which originally ran on ABC from 1978 to 1982, cemented her reputation as a gifted performer. In addition, it broadcast on NBC from 1982 to 1983 for a full year. The sitcom took home 18 Emmys.
In addition to “Healthy Kids: Help Them Eat Smart and Stay Active-For Life!” and “Healthy Life Kitchen,” she has written other books on nutrition and health. Numerous readers are benefiting from these books’ popularity and good living.
Marilu’s Individual Life
Actor Frederic Forrest and Marilu Henner wed in 1980; they later divorced in 1982. Later, she wed filmmaker Robert Lieberman; the union ended in divorce in June 2001. Joseph Marlon and Nicholas Morgan are their two children.
On December 21, 2006, Henner wed Michael Brown, an old college friend. From his first marriage, Brown has three kids.
She can recall very exact events from her life thanks to her highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM). She discussed HSAM on a number of TV shows.
Estimated Net Worth
Marilu Henner, an American actress, dancer, producer, author, and author, has a $12 million net worth. For her parts in the television sitcoms “Taxi” and “Evening Shade,” Marilu Henner is most known.
She has played leading roles in movies like “Hammett,” “Cannonball Run II,” “Johnny Dangerously,” “L.A. Story,” and “Noises Off.”