Sylvia Kauders (née Wolinsky; December 1, 1921 – May 5, 2016) was an American actress.Sylvia Kauders, a Late-Blooming Actress, Dies The New York Times, May 10, 2016

Early life and education Kauders was born Sylvia Wolinsky on December 1, 1921, in Philadelphia to Russian immigrants, Morris and Sadie (née Pincus) Wolinsky, and grew up in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania. When her father died while she was only ten, Kauders' mother ran a grocery store to support the family. Kauders attended Upper Darby High School and in 1942 graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in English and social studies. She also took classes at Temple University to meet teaching requirements.

Career

When Kauders's college education did not lead to a job, she learned shorthand and typing and in the mid-1940s began working as a secretary for the Jewish Community Relations Council and went on to become assistant to the group's public relations director.

In 1950 she took a temporary position in Philadelphia's information office, and that led to a career that spanned decades as she progressed from information officer to special events coordinator to director. During that time she worked with five current and former presidents of the United States. Her work included promoting the city on the television program Under Billy Penn's Hat.

Kauders worked in a variety of roles before committing in her 60s to a career in acting. Following college graduation she worked in radio and television, producing and moderating a television program called Under Billy Penn's Hat. She later became Philadelphia's special events director and worked with five different mayors, organizing events and hosting celebrities and dignitaries.

Kauders was the first woman president of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association in 1972–73 and became a member of its Hall of Fame in 1976.

In 1977, aged 55, she decided to seriously pursue an acting career and establish herself in New York City.Still kicking & screening: Veteran character actress Sylvia Kauders enjoys long career, New York Daily News, September 3, 2008.

Her Broadway debut took place in 1982 in Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy as Mrs. Beckoff, the role originated by Estelle Getty. With her role in Jewish Repertory Theater's production of Crossing Delancey, she became known as an "entirely lovable Bubbie ... a peppery lady whose charm is a mask for a determination to carry out her schemes", according to New York Times theater critic, Richard F. Shepard.THE THEATER: Crossing Delancey, New York Times, May 2, 1985.

Her film credits include roles in American Splendor; Analyze That (2002); Predator 2 (1990), City Hall (1996). Woody Allen tapped her for two of his films, Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). Also in 1993, she appeared in My Life (as Diane Keaton's character's aunt). Her last films were Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) and Love the Coopers (2015).

Kauders appeared in such television shows as The Equalizer (1985), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the HBO series The Sopranos during the final season, as a foul-mouthed old neighborhood lady, who seeks Tony's help with "fixing the neighborhood."

Personal life and death Her husband, Randy Kauders, died in the 1990s after they had been together for four decades. She died on May 5, 2016, in Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, aged 94.

Filmography Film

Witness (1985) – Tourist Lady Armed and Dangerous (1986) – Older Woman at Party Sticky Fingers (1988) – Francis Misplaced (1989) – Teacher Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) – Seder Guest Predator 2 (1990) – Ruth Age Isn't Everything (1991) – Old Woman This Is My Life (1992) – Evelyn Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) – Neighbor My Life (1993) – Aunt Tekla City Hall (1996) – Gussie XXL (1997) – Secrétaire Meschugge (aka The Giraffe) (1998) – Sarah Singer Judy Berlin (1999) – Woman on Bench Love the Hard Way (2001) – Mrs. Rosenberg Mr. Deeds (2002) – Sue, the Bench Woman Analyze That (2002) – Aunt Esther American Splendor (2003) – Old Jewish Lady Imaginary Heroes (2004) – Hattie Building Girl (2005) – Mrs. Rochen The Last New Yorker (2007) – Miriam Weiss The Wrestler (2008) – Hudson Acres Lady at Deli Counter The Answer Man (2009) – Old Woman Today's Special (2009) – Restaurant Patron According to Greta (2009) – Mrs. Wocheski Man on a Ledge (2012) – Angry Traffic Woman The Big Wedding (2013) – Elderly Wife Peeples (2013) – Mrs. Davis Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) – Ginny The Mother (2015, Short) – Grandma Love the Coopers (2015) – Sara (final film role)

Television

+ Year Title Role Notes 1985 The Equalizer Old Lady Episode: "Bump and Run" 1990 Mr. Belvedere Margaret "Peggy" Belvedere 1 episode 1996–1997 Spin City Roberta 6 episodes 1997 Law & Order Elderly Woman Episode: "Mad Dog" 1999 The Sopranos Old Woman Episode: "Pax Soprana" S1.E6 2000–2010 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mare / Anna / Esther 3 episodes 2006 The Sopranos Mrs. Conte 2 episodes 2004 Hack Irene Tolfo 1 episode 2007 Flight of the Conchords Lady on Bus 1 episode 2008 Lipstick Jungle Tiny Old Lady 1 episode 2009 Loving Leah Widow Goldfarb TV movie 2010 30 Rock Old Woman 1 episode 2010 Louie Woman 1 episode 2013 Blue Bloods Mrs. Caruso 1 episode 2014 Orange Is the New Black Old Lady 1 episode

References

External links

Sylvia Kauders at Apple TV+