Bunny Levine, ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘La La Land’ Actress, Dies at 97

Actress Bunny Levine, known for roles in Gilmore Girls, La La Land and Law & Order, has died at 97.

Levine died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Tarzana, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 20, her representatives told NBC Los Angeles and The Hollywood Reporter. The Los Angeles Police Department said her death appeared to be from natural causes.

Born Bernice Levine in Orange, N.J., Levine earned master’s degrees from New York University and Columbia University. She worked as a teacher and school librarian before pursuing acting.

Her film career included Cadillac Man (1990), You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (2008), La La Land (2016) and Sandy Wexler (2017). On television, she appeared in shows including Law & Order, Gilmore Girls, Criminal Minds, Ugly Betty, 2 Broke Girls, New Girl and Shameless.

Levine and her husband, Bernard S. Levine, co-founded Actors Connection in New York City in 1991 to help actors develop their careers. The organization credited her with helping launch many performers’ careers.

After her husband died in 2003, Levine moved to Los Angeles. Her final credited roles were in the 2026 film The Cure and the short film Achiever.

She is survived by her children, Marty, Francie and Joe, and grandchildren Robin and Jeffrey. A memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 27 at the Jewish Memorial Chapel in Clifton, N.J.