Veteran actress Bunny Levine, who built a lengthy Hollywood career after spending 25 years as a school librarian, has died at the age of 97.
Levine died peacefully in her sleep Thursday at her home in Tarzana, California, her manager, Brandon Kjar, confirmed to CBS News.
The actress remained active in Hollywood until the final months of her life. Kjar said Levine continued auditioning for new roles and last worked in June, just months before her death.
“Bunny inspired affection and admiration in many people with her work in education and performance,” Levine’s family said in a statement.
Levine accumulated numerous television and film credits during her career, appearing in popular shows including “Gilmore Girls,” “Law & Order” and “Raising Hope.”
She also appeared in the Oscar-winning musical “La La Land.”
Levine continued acting well into her 90s. Her more recent film credits included the 2023 movie “The Invisible Raptor,” followed by “Sacramento” and “Thelma,” both released in 2024.
Her final years also included appearances in the last season of “The Upshaws” and the 2026 production “The Cure.”
“She was a great and fearless actress and such a nice lady. What a full life. She will be missed,” her agent, Mike Eisenstadt, told CBS News.
Levine was born Dec. 22, 1928, in East Orange, New Jersey, and reportedly dreamed of becoming a performer from an early age.
Her professional life, however, initially took her in a different direction.
Levine earned master’s degrees from New York University and Columbia University before embarking on a career in education. She spent approximately 25 years working as a school librarian before retiring.
Rather than settling into retirement, Levine decided to pursue the acting career she had envisioned years earlier.
She began auditioning for roles and eventually established herself as a character actress, appearing across television and film during a career that continued into her late 90s.
Levine also worked to help other actors pursue careers of their own.
She and her husband of 53 years, Bernie Levine, founded Actors Connection in New York City in 1991. The organization provides resources and opportunities for actors seeking to advance in the entertainment industry, per Trending Politics.
Actors Connection paid tribute to Levine following news of her death, crediting her with helping numerous performers throughout the years.
“Her passion for helping actors has launched countless careers,” the organization said.
“Thank you Bunny for creating such a vibrant community to serve the fellow artists you have always loved — may you rest in sweet peace!”
Levine’s career was particularly notable because she entered the entertainment business after completing an entirely separate decades-long profession.
She continued working and auditioning long after many performers retire, remaining involved in acting until shortly before her death.
Levine is survived by her three children, Marty, Francie and Joe, as well as her grandchildren, Robin and Jeffrey.
