Joanna Merlin

Personal Info

Birthday

July 16, 1931

Day of Death

2023-10-15

(92 years old)

Place of Birth

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Also Known As

Joann Ratner

Joanna Merlin

Biography

Joanna Merlin (born Joann Ratner; July 15, 1931) was an American actress and casting director who has worked with Stephen Sondheim and starred in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. She has written two acting guides and is a faculty member of New York University's graduate acting program.

In recent years, she has become known for her recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Judge Lena Petrovsky. Joann Ratner, who later took her mother's maiden name, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Toni Merlin and Harry Ratner, a Jewish grocer. Her family also included her older sister Harriet Glickman (1926-2020) who would go on to gain recognition for having helped persuade Charles Schulz to add a black character to his Peanuts strip.

Known For

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order

The Good Wife

Northern Exposure

American Experience

Naked City

L.A. Law

Amazing Stories

Filmography

2024
MURDER and murder
as Doris
2017
Active Adults
as Miriam
2010
Sarah's Key
as Mrs. Rainsferd
2008
The Wackness
as Grandma Shapiro
2007
The Invasion
as Joan Kaufman
2002
The Jimmy Show
as Emily
1999
Witness Protection
as Cindy's Mother
1998
City of Angels
as Teresa Messinger
1996
The Prosecutors
as Jewel
1995
Two Bits
as Guendolina
1993
Mr. Wonderful
as Loretta
Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage
as Rose Profaci
1991
Class Action
as Estelle Ward
1990
Murder in Black and White
as Dr. Bromberg
1988
Mystic Pizza
as Mrs. Arujo
1987
Prince of Darkness
as Bag Lady
1984
The Killing Fields
as Schanberg's Sister
1983
Baby It's You
as Mrs. Rosen
1982
Love Child
as Mrs. Sturgis
1981
Starstruck
as Inez Marin
1980
Fame
as Miss Berg
Nurse
as Nan Riley
1979
All That Jazz
as Nurse Pierce
1978
The Last Tenant
as Mrs. Farelli
1975
Hester Street
as Jake's Landlady
1960
Weddings and Babies
as Josie
1956
The Ten Commandments
as Jethro's Daughter