Bunny Levine, the veteran character actress seen in Gilmore Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, Law & Order and La La Land, has died at 97.
She passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Tarzana, California, on August 20. Her manager, Brandon Kjar, confirmed the news, and her death is believed to have been from natural causes.
Born Bernice Levine in New Jersey in 1928, she dreamed of acting from childhood. Life first took her into education: she earned master’s degrees from NYU and Columbia and spent 25 years as a school librarian before retiring in 1985.
Rather than settle into retirement, Levine finally chased the dream she had put aside. Near 60, she began auditioning and built a career spanning decades, with roles in Cadillac Man, Law & Order, Criminal Minds and Ugly Betty.
She became loved for funny and unexpected characters, appearing in Chappelle’s Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, Shameless and You Don’t Mess With the Zohan. Age never seemed to slow her down.
Her work continued into her 90s. Levine appeared in the 2024 film Thelma and later in The Upshaws and The Cure. Her manager said she was still working in June.
Off screen, she helped other performers. In 1991, Levine and her husband, Bernie, founded Actors Connection in New York, offering coaching, casting advice and networking.
Her family said she inspired affection and admiration through education and performance. Actors Connection honored the many careers she helped launch.
Levine leaves behind her children Marty, Francie and Joe, and grandchildren Robin and Jeffrey. Her story is a reminder that a dream delayed for decades can still become an extraordinary second chapter.