Louise Lasser

Louise Marie Lasser (born April 11, 1939) is an American actress, television writer, and performing arts teacher and director. She gained recognition for her portrayal of the title character on the soap opera satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Lasser was married to Woody Allen and appeared in several of his early films. She is a life member of The Actors Studio and studied with Sanford Meisner and Robert X. Modica. Born in New York City, Lasser is the only child of Paula and Sol Jay Lasser. She embraced her Jewish heritage later in life. Lasser studied political science at Brandeis University before pursuing a career in acting.