Bunny Levine, the veteran character actress known for appearances in Gilmore Girls, Everybody Loves Raymond, Law & Order, Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, Raising Hope, and La La Land, has died at 97. According to her manager, Brandon Kjar, Levine passed peacefully in her sleep at her home in Tarzana, California, on August 20, 2026. Her death was reported as consistent with natural causes, closing the life of a woman whose career took a remarkable and unexpected path.
Born Bernice Levine in New Jersey in 1928, she spent much of her early professional life in education. She earned advanced degrees and worked for about 25 years as a school librarian. But her childhood interest in performing never disappeared. After retiring in 1985, when she was nearing 60, Levine decided to pursue acting professionally. What might have been a short-lived retirement adventure instead became a second career that lasted for decades.
Levine gradually built an impressive résumé, appearing in television comedies, dramas, sketch shows, and feature films. Her credits included Shameless, Chappelle’s Show, Thelma, and the Oscar-winning La La Land, among many others. She became especially memorable for bringing warmth, humor, and personality to supporting roles. She also co-founded Actors Connection with her husband, helping aspiring performers navigate the entertainment industry and develop their careers.
What makes Levine’s story so inspiring is not simply that she started acting late—it is that she kept going. She continued auditioning and working well into her 90s, reportedly remaining active professionally as recently as 2026. Her journey is a gentle reminder that life does not always follow a fixed timeline, and that a long-held dream can still become a meaningful part of the future. Bunny Levine leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, humor, mentorship, and an extraordinary second act.