Bunny Levine, a former school librarian who pursued her acting aspirations in Hollywood, passed away at the age of 97. Her manager, Brandon Kjar, confirmed her peaceful death in her sleep at her Tarzana, California home on August 20. Levine’s family expressed admiration for her contributions to education and performance in a statement to CBS News.

Born on December 22, 1928, in East Orange, New Jersey, Levine dreamt of acting from a young age. She delayed her pursuit, earning master’s degrees from New York University and Columbia University, then served as a school librarian for 25 years. According to her IMDb biography, she transitioned to acting after retirement, securing roles in TV and film including ‘Gilmore Girls,’ ‘La La Land,’ ‘Law & Order,’ and ‘Raising Hope.’

Her agent, Mike Eisenstadt, praised her as a fearless actress and kind individual, acknowledging the fullness of her life. Brandon Kjar noted that Levine continued auditioning, with her last work in June.

Recent projects included ‘The Invisible Raptor’ in 2023, ‘Sacramento’ and ‘Thelma’ both released in 2024, and appearances in the final season of ‘The Upshaws’ and ‘The Cure’ in 2026.

In 1991, Levine and her husband of 53 years, Bernie Levine, founded Actors Connection in New York City, nurturing many acting careers. The organization thanked her for fostering a dynamic community for artists.

Levine is survived by her children Marty, Francie, and Joe, and her grandchildren, Robin and Jeffrey.

Source: CBS News