Magda L. Kardashian ( Harout, April 22, 1926 – September 9, 2021) was an American film, television and stage actress.
Life and career Harout was born in Los Angeles, California on April 22, 1926, to Armenian-born stage actor Yeghishe Harout, and his wife Gohar. Her father was also the proprietor of the Ivar Theatre, which opened on the Hollywood Boulevard in 1951. During the 1940s, Harout was a pageant queen, and in 1943 she sold war bonds to support U.S. troops during World War II. On May 29, 1947, she married Robert Thomas Kardashian (1920–1998), an Army Air Forces veteran, at the First Congregation Church in Los Angeles. They later honeymooned in Hawaii.
Her stage credits included Nine Armenians (1997) by Leslie Ayvazia and The Kiss at City Hall (2000). She received a number of awards for her appearances on stage, including from LA Weekly, Drama-Logue and the LA Drama Critics Circle.
In 1999, Harout played the role of Aunt Alma in the independent comedy film A Wake in Providence. Producer and writer Vincent Pagano cast Harout promptly after meeting her, stating that "Magda opened her mouth, and we immediately fell in love with her voice.".
Harout spoke Russian, Armenian and French, and dyed her hair lighter in order not to be typecast in stereotypical ethnic roles. She also appeared in a number of television commercials. Harout died in Woodland Hills, California on September 9, 2021, at the age of 95.
Filmography
Films YearFilm Role Director Notes1959Crime and Punishment U.S.A.Denis Sanders1963The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a DazeHand MaidenNorman MaurerUncredited1972Another Nice MessDuchess of ZanzigBob Einstein1974HangupProprietorHenry Hathaway1989Transylvania TwistPeasant WomanJim Wynorski1990Hollywood Boulevard IISelmaSteve Barnett 19919½ Ninjas!Gladys VogueAaron Barsky1993My LifeAunt SoniaBruce Joel RubinKing B: A Life in the MoviesVirginia KingMike ValerioDocumentary1996The ElevatorRussian Maid 1Arthur Borman, Nigel Dick, and Rafal Zielinski1999A Wake in ProvidenceAunt AlmaRosario Roveto Jr.2001Size 'Em UpClaraChris J. RussoShort film2013Baggage ClaimWeishaDavid E. Talbert
Television Year(s)TitleRole(s)Notes1963Dr. KildareMagda KovarS2E27 "Ship's Doctor"1965I Dream of JeannieWomanS1E2 "My Hero?" Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler TheatreChauffeurS3E7 "Russian Roulette" 1966Family AffairNuralS1E8 "Who's Afraid of Nural Shpeni?"1967Mr. TerrificDorisS1E13 "Stanley Goes to the Dentist"1971IronsideZabelleS4E22 "The Summer Soldier"1978Are You in the House Alone?MalevichTV movie The PirateAidaTV movie 1980Lou GrantLavenia HartounianS3E17 "Inheritance"1985Cagney & LaceySalesladyS4E13 "Happily Ever After" MacGyverWomanS1E3 "Thief of Budapest" Mr. BelvedereRoseS2E4 "Requiem" 1985–1986Gimme a Break!Various roles3 episodes1986The New GidgetMotherS1E7 "Jeff's Anniversary" SidekicksMrs. RizzoS1E10 "I Remember Mama, But Does She Remember Me?" 1987Punky BrewsterThe SalesladyS3E9 "The Metamorphosis"1988Mama's FamilyEulalie GriswaldS4E14 "The Sins of the Mother" WebsterGraceS6E4 "Papa's Big Romance" The Golden GirlsWomanS4E1 "Yes, We Have No Havanas" 1989Class CruiseMrs. RoseTV movie The Famous Teddy ZS1E7 "Baking with Esther Luna" Quantum LeapMrs. Miriam DavitzS2E7 "Thou Shalt Not... - February 2, 1974" Night CourtSascha MinkoffS7E7 "Auntie Maim" 1990NewhartSmittyS8E16 "Seein' Double" Days of Our LivesMadame BlavatskyEpisode #6,316 The Family ManLillianS1E10 "The Coach" 1991Knots LandingOwnerS12E21 "Upwardly Mobile" SeinfeldStellaS3E3 "The Pen" BlossomHoney #1S2E6 "To Tell the Truth" 1993–1997The NannyMadam Moleska; Sarah3 episodes. Credited as Maga Harout (sic) in some cases1995Body LanguageAlice the WaitressTV movie Saved by the Bell: The New ClassDean EagletonS3E9 "Boundaries" Bless This HouseMrs. LewisS1E9 "Fish and Guests Stink After Three Days" The CrewHungarian PrincessS1E11 "Extremities" 1996Night Stand with Dick DietrickMartaS1E33 "Dream a Little Dream"1997The Burning ZoneEmma HeldermanS1E11 "Midnight of the Carrier"1998Caroline in the CityContessaS3E25 "Caroline and the Secret Bullfighter: Part 1"2000–2002ProvidenceCard Dealer; Mrs. KolchakS2E23 "Paradise Inn"; S4E12 "Shadow Play"2001That's LifeMrs. CaminatiS1E15 "Mr. Wrong" For Your LoveFayS4E7 "The Wedding" The Song of the LarkGertrude LehmannPresented as a feature on Masterpiece Theatre 2002The AgencyUtaS1E20 "The Understudy" The PracticeJan JesselS7E8 "Bad to Worse" Without a TraceConnieS1E10 "Midnight Sun" 2003Six Feet UnderAnahid's MotherS3E13 "I'm Sorry, I'm Lost" Rock Me BabyCrandall's MomS1E4 "Shift Shaft" 2004Complete SavagesWomanS1E5 "Car Jack" Everybody Loves RaymondCousin BellaS9E6 "Boys' Therapy" 2008Raising the BarMrs. Martha DelmanS1E10 "Shop Till You Drop"2010FringeNana StallerS2E14 "The Bishop Revival"
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