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Carol Kane playing Simka Gravas in "Taxi" in the '80s. Source: https://bleedingcool.com/ (May be subject to copyright) |
Then it hit me. This actor, speaking with a hint of an accent to signify she was not human, spoke with a much different accent on the sitcom “Taxi” in the 1980s.
Carol Kane was older, but still has that mousy yet sassy kind of charm, that made her a star as Simka on “Taxi”, Valerie in “The Princess Bride”, and a host of other roles in the 1980s.
The years before
Carol Kane had built up quite a profile as the 1980s dawned. In 1975 she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for “Hester Street”, and played in “Dog Day Afternoon” that same year, alongside Al Pacino.
Carol Kane had built up quite a profile as the 1980s dawned. In 1975 she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for “Hester Street”, and played in “Dog Day Afternoon” that same year, alongside Al Pacino.
She appeared in “Annie Hall” and “The World’s Greatest Lover”, both in 1977; and “The Muppet Movie” in 1979.
Catching a cab
At the dawn of the 1980s, Carol Kane would debut in the role that brought her into living rooms across the continent.
At the dawn of the 1980s, Carol Kane would debut in the role that brought her into living rooms across the continent.
“Taxi” was a show set in the garage of a cab company in New York. It delved, with comedic results, into the lives of the cab drivers, mechanic, dispatcher and their families and friends. It ran from 1978 to 1983, and ended up winning 18 Emmys.
Latka Gravas, played by Andy Kaufman, emerged as one of the most interesting characters. He was the mechanic who spoke in heavily accented English and was from a fictitious foreign country.
In 1980, we met Simka, a woman from the same country as Latka. However, they were from feuding ethnic groups and would revert to their native language to fight. However, like Romeo and Juliet, they fell in love and got married, although they don’t die in the end.
Simka is also much more strong minded than her husband, and spoke it, even to the bully on the block dispatcher Louie DePalma, played by Danny DeVito.
I thought Carol Kane was hilarious as Simka, maybe because she sounded similar to some of my own relatives.
Others must have liked her too, because Carol Kane won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actres in a Comedy Series in 1982 and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series in 1983. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe in 1983 for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film.
Guest starring
Kane also guest starred in other shows in the decade such as “Laverne and Shirley”, “Crazy Like a Fox”, and “Sesame Street”. Perhaps her most memorable role was a guest spot in “Cheers” in 1984 where she played a friend of Diane Chambers, from her time in a mental institution.
Kane also guest starred in other shows in the decade such as “Laverne and Shirley”, “Crazy Like a Fox”, and “Sesame Street”. Perhaps her most memorable role was a guest spot in “Cheers” in 1984 where she played a friend of Diane Chambers, from her time in a mental institution.
The big screen
In the 1980s, Kane would appear in the movies “Racing With the Moon” in 1984; “Transylvania 6-5000” in 1985; “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” in 1986: and “Ishtar” in 1987. She would also appear in “License to Drive” in 1988 and “Scrooged” later that same year.
In the 1980s, Kane would appear in the movies “Racing With the Moon” in 1984; “Transylvania 6-5000” in 1985; “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” in 1986: and “Ishtar” in 1987. She would also appear in “License to Drive” in 1988 and “Scrooged” later that same year.
Kane was in “The Princess Bride” in 1987 as well. She played Valerie, the wife of folk hero Miracle Max, who was played by Billy Crystal in heavy makeup.
The years after
Carol Kane would continue on acting in movies such as “Joe Versus the Volcano”; “Addams Family Values”; and much, much more.
Carol Kane would continue on acting in movies such as “Joe Versus the Volcano”; “Addams Family Values”; and much, much more.
In 1999 she appeared in “Man on the Moon”, a biopic about Andy Kaufman, where Kane had a cameo playing herself.
She would also continue to appear on television where she guest starred in “Seinfeld”; “Chicago Hope” where she garnered another Emmy nomination; “Empty Nest”; “Ellen”; “Homicide: Life on the Street”; “Family Guy”; “Hope and Faith”; “Two and a Half Men”; “Monk”; “Law and Order: Special Victims unit”; “Ugly Betty”; “Anger Management”; “Gotham”; and much more right up to the present and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”.
Parting thoughts
Playing Pelia, the new chief engineer on “Star Trek; Strange New Worlds”, Carol Kane demonstrates all the trademarks of her best roles.
Playing Pelia, the new chief engineer on “Star Trek; Strange New Worlds”, Carol Kane demonstrates all the trademarks of her best roles.
She appears mousy yet sassy and head strong, playing with a hint of an accent that just enhances everything.
I have liked her as Pelia because she is serious, but does not take herself too seriously, and speaks her mind whether it is to the captain, first officer or fellow crew members.
If you listen real close, you may even here a bit of Simka Gravas in there.
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