Overview

Louise Lasser (born April 11, 1939) is an American actress, television writer, and performing arts teacher and director. She is widely recognized for her portrayal of the title character on the soap opera satire *Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman*, a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Lasser’s career began on Broadway, and she gained further prominence through her collaborations with Woody Allen, whom she was married to from 1966 to 1970. She appeared in several of his early films, including *Take the Money and Run* (1969) and *Bananas* (1971). Beyond her work with Allen, Lasser has had a diverse career in film and television, appearing in projects like *Requiem for a Dream*, *Happiness*, and *Mystery Men*. She also had recurring roles on *Taxi* and *St. Elsewhere*. In addition to acting, Lasser has taught acting technique at HB Studio and directed Off-Off-Broadway productions. Currently, she runs the Louise Lasser Acting Studio in Manhattan.

Louise Lasser Acting Studio

Owner

What Is Louise Lasser Net Worth?

Louise Lasser, an American actress, television writer, and performing arts teacher, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million as of 2025. This valuation primarily stems from her extensive work in television, film, and theatre over several decades.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on April 11, 1939, in New York City, Louise Lasser is the only child of Paula Lasser (née Cohen) and Sol Jay Lasser. Her father was an author and tax specialist, who wrote the “Everyone’s Income Tax Guide” series in the 1970s and 1980s. She attended Brandies University in Massachusetts, where she studied political science for three years before embarking on her acting career. Early in her career, Lasser gained experience as Barbra Streisand’s understudy in “I Can Get It For You Wholesale” on Broadway in 1962. This early exposure to Broadway provided a foundation for her future roles.

Breakthrough and Notable Roles

Lasser’s career gained momentum through appearances in commercials and roles in several of Woody Allen’s films, whom she married on February 2, 1966. These included “Take the Money and Run” (1969), “Bananas” (1971), and “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)” (1972). These roles helped establish her presence in the comedy scene. In 1967, she also won a Clio Award for Best Actress in a Commercial for Florida Orange Juice. Her most iconic role came in the mid-1970s with the television series “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” where she played the title character. The show aired five nights a week from 1976 to 1977, totaling 325 episodes before Lasser decided to leave. For her performance in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Lasser was nominated for an Emmy Award. In 1976, while starring on “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”, Lasser hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live”.

Later Career and Current Activities

After leaving “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”, which was subsequently renamed “Forever Fernwood”, Lasser continued to work in television and film. In 1978, she wrote and starred in “Just Me and You” alongside Charles Grodin. She also had recurring roles on the television shows “Taxi” and “It’s a Living” in the early 1980s. Other notable credits include appearances in “St. Elsewhere,” “Happiness” (1998), for which she and the cast won the National Board of Review Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble, “Mystery Men” (1999), “National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers”, “Requiem for a Dream”, and “Girls” (2013-2014). Currently, Louise Lasser imparts her acting knowledge by teaching at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City. This allows her to contribute to the development of emerging talent while maintaining a connection to her craft.

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