ACTRESS BUNNY LEVINE, WHO BEGAN HER ACTING CAREER IN HER 50S, DIES AT 97.(PHOTO).

Actress Bunny Levine, who began her acting career in her 50s, dies at 97

Bunny Levine, a former school librarian who launched a second career in acting in her 50s and appeared in more than 100 film and television productions, has died at 97.

Levine died in her sleep, according to her representatives. One of her representatives, Michael Eisenstadt, remembered her as a talented, fearless performer and a kind person who would be missed.

Her acting career lasted nearly four decades, with credits beginning in 1988 and continuing through 2026. She appeared in television shows including “Law & Order,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “2 Broke Girls.”

Her movie roles included the Oscar-winning “La La Land,” in which she played a theater cashier, along with “Thelma” and “Sacramento.” She also appeared in several Adam Sandler films, including “You Don't Mess With the Zohan,” “Sandy Wexler” and “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah.”

Her final acting credit was reportedly in the 2026 horror movie “The Cure.”

A second career

Levine spent much of her early adult life outside the entertainment industry. She worked as a teacher and later as a school librarian in New Jersey before taking early retirement.

Although acting had always been an ambition, she set it aside for decades while she married, raised children, and built a career in education.

At 55, Levine returned to performing through community theater after retiring early. The experience convinced her to pursue acting more seriously.

Her second career eventually took her from local theater productions to television appearances and roles in Hollywood movies.

Levine continued auditioning and working into her 90s, building a career that began later in life but lasted for nearly four decades.