Lesley Ann Warren was born on the 16th August 1946, in New York City, USA of part-Russian ancestry, and is an actress, probably still best recognized for starring in the role of Marja Fludjicki in the TV mini-series “Harold Robbins’ 79 Park Avenue” (1977), playing Norma Cassady in the film “Victor Victoria” (1982), and as Barbara Walker in the TV mini-series “Family Of Spies” (1990). Her career has been active since 1962.
So, have you ever wondered how rich Lesley Ann Warren is, as of mid-2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that the size of Lesley’s net worth is over $12 million, accumulated through her involvement in the film industry as a professional actress.
Lesley Ann Warren Net Worth $12 Million
Lesley Ann Warren was raised in a Jewish family by her father, William Warren, who worked as a real estate agent, and her mother, Margot Warren, who was a singer. She went to the Professional Children’s School as well as The High School of Music & Art, then began to pursue her career in the entertainment industry when still a teenager, initially as a ballet dancer at the School of American Ballet. At the age of 17, she was accepted at the Actors Studio and her acting career began.
In 1962, Lesley made her debut appearance in the film “The Chapman Report”, followed by her breakthrough title role in “Cinderella” (1965), which marked the beginning of an increase of her net worth as well as her popularity. During the 1960s, she also appeared in the role of Bonda Jo Weaver in the TV series “Dr. Kildare” (1966), played Deborah Cabot in the film “Seven In Darkness” (1969), directed by Michael Caffey, and was chosen to portray Dana Lambert in the TV series “Mission: Impossible” from 1970 to 1971, steadily increasing her net worth.
Lesley’s next major role came in 1971, when she was cast as the title role in the TV film “Cat Ballou”, which was followed by a number of roles in such film and TV titles as “Pickup On 101” (1972), “S.W.A.T.” (1975), and “Harry And Walter Go To New York” (1976). In the following year, she was selected to play Marja Fludjicki in the TV mini-series “Harold Robbins’ 79 Park Avenue”, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, adding a considerable amount to her net worth.
Afterwards, Lesley won her first nomination for an Oscar in the category of Best Actress in a Supporting Role in 1982, thanks to her portrayal of Norma Cassady in the film “Victor Victoria”, directed by Blake Edwards. This was followed by the role of Faye Hanlon in the 1983 film “A Night In Heaven”, starring alongside Christopher Atkins. She also appeared in such film and TV titles as “Clue” (1985), “Baja Oklahoma” (1988), which earned her CableACE Award for Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries, and “Family Of Spies” (1990), for which she won nominations for Emmy and Golden Globe Awards – these appearances increased her net worth considerably.
The next decade increased the number of her roles, as she appeared in more than 15 film titles, including as Molly in “Life Stinks” (1991), Sondra in “Color Of Night” (1994), Elaine in “The Limey” (1999), and as Dawn Sloane in “Trixie” (2000), all of which contributed to her wealth.
The new millennium didn’t change too much for Lesley, as she appeared in the role of Tina in the TV series “Will & Grace” (2001-2006), portrayed Joan Holloway in Steven Shainberg’s film “Secretary” (2002), and was seen as Vee in the 2004 film “My Tiny Universe”. Moreover, in 2005, she won the role of Sophie Bremmer in the TV series “Desperate Housewives”, which lasted until 2011, and in 2008 was chosen to portray Jinx Shannon in another TV series. entitled “In Plain Sight”, through 2012.
To speak further about her career, Lesley was cast as Clara Jobs in the 2013 film “Jobs”, and as Susan in a film entitled “I Am Michael” in 2015. Most recently, she starred in the role of Elsa in the film “Between Us” and she portrayed Cornelia in the TV series “Blunt Talk”, both in 2016. She will also appear in the 2017 film “Dying: 101”, which will certainly increase her fortune.
Regarding her personal life, Lesley Ann Warren has been married to Ronald Taft since 2000. Previously, she was married to producer Jon Peters (1967-1974), with whom she has a son, Christopher Peters, a well-known actor and producer. Her current residence is in Los Angeles.
Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama
Nominations
Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for ...
Movies
Victor/Victoria, The Happiest Millionaire, Clue, Pure Country, Color of Night, A Night in Heaven, Life Stinks, The Limey, Secretary, Cinderella, Choose Me, Worth Winning, A Little Help, Peep World, When Do We Eat?, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, Baja Oklahoma, 10th & Wolf, Bound by...
TV Shows
In Plain Sight, Mission: Impossible, Snip
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Quote
1
[on Color of Night (1994)] That was a real heartbreaker. My participation was mostly in the scenes with the therapy group, and each of us was supposed to have had a relationship with the Jane March character. Our director, Richard Rush, struggled with what went on between Bruce Willis' character and Jane March's character, and how he had envisioned that to go. It was a tough film--it was tense, it was difficult. I think Jane was only 21. Even though she had done The Lover (1992), she was a young, young, young girl, and she had a lot of anxiety about doing all that nudity and all that erotic stuff. Even though she knew what she had signed on to do, it doesn't matter; somehow when you get to the point where you have to do it, it's a different experience. I remember one night when we were shooting our little love scene in somebody's house, and we were upstairs, shooting past the allotted time that the city had allowed us to shoot. I don't remember what that was, maybe 10 or 11. The police were called, and the crew just said, "Keep shooting, keep shooting! Keep kissing her, keep kissing her!" We're half-undressed, with these police officers coming up the stairs. "Keep shooting! Keep shooting!" It was a little crazy-making for sure, but exciting in a way. All the characters were so intense and neurotic in their own issues, and it was fraught with a lot of high anxiety just because of its material.
2
[on making Songwriter (1984)] What happened on "Songwriter" was that I was doing that movie, but with a different director. Sydney Pollack was producing, and I remember a week into shooting, I got a call from Sydney, and I thought, "Oh no. Oh dear." He said, "I want to tell you that we're replacing the director," and I said, "You're kidding, why?" He said, "They weren't happy with the way things look." I said, "Well, why not replace the cinematographer if you're not happy with how it looks?" He said, "Trust me, just trust me," and I said, "Well, who's directing?" And he said, "You'll see, you'll see . . . " And he surprised me with Alan Rudolph. It was really interesting, because from the first day of Alan's dailies, they looked extraordinary. So it's interesting how much impact a director will have on a cinematographer and the look of a film. It's definitely a collaborative situation . . . I was terrified, terrified in "Songwriter", because there I was, New York Jewish girl, singing country-western onstage with Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. I mean, forget it. I was so terrified. Alan was amazing. He just kind of hand-held me during that entire experience.
3
[on The Happiest Millionaire (1967))] I was a baby; I think I was 18, or maybe 18 and a half. I had just done Cinderella (1965), and I was touring a Broadway show. I had been asked to come out and do a screen test, which, in those days, was a real screen test. They put me up at the Beverly Hills Hotel for two weeks. I had rehearsals, I had to do costume fittings and hair consultations and makeup, etc. Then at the end, you do this full on-screen test, with dance numbers and musical numbers and acting scenes in costume. Getting that job, that wonderful role and incredible experience, was just a huge accomplishment for me. I got to know Walt Disney; he was very much present. This is a man who knew what hair ribbon I was wearing, as well as what they were serving at the commissary, as well as what the animators were doing. He was a genius, and he had such vision, such a hands-on approach to everything. So to be picked by him was such an unbelievable honor for me.
4
[on landing Victor Victoria (1982)] I had my hair in braids and a baseball cap on and my agent at the time,Ron Meyer--who's now the head of Universal--called me and said, "You have to go in and meet Blake Edwards," and I said, "I can't! I have no makeup on." He said, "You have to. He's leaving for London tomorrow, you have to go meet him." So I went in, and we sat and talked for about 15 minutes, had a lot of laughs, and then he just said, "Do you want to do this role?" And I had not read the script, but I had seen Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) 11 times, and I had seen Pink Panther, and Days of Wine and Roses (1962) is a genius movie, so I said, "Yes, I want to work with you on whatever." And then I went home and read the script, and in the script Norma wasn't blonde, didn't have an accent and didn't have a dance number or a musical number. She was pretty much a classic chorine of the time. So I started to think about what I wanted to do with this role, and I made up this whole history for her. She grew up on the Lower East Side in a family of 14, and she had to yell to be heard. She worked at Woolworth's and read the movie magazines and wanted to look like Jean Harlow. I created this character in my head, and then I called Blake--he was already in London--and he said, "Yes." He sent his hair and makeup people and the costume designer, Patricia Norris, over to my house, and we created this character. When I walked on the set in hair and makeup for the first time, I thought, "I'm either going to be fired, or he's gonna love it," and luckily for me, he loved it. For me, she was very real. That's why I did that fabricated history, to fool myself, so she was a real person and had a real background and real reasons why she behaved the way she did. It was all for me. I know that some people work differently, but I have to work from the inside out. It doesn't matter how big the character is, there has to be a truthful core. And that's how I was taught; I studied with Lee Strasberg in New York, and he was my teacher for ten years, so that's how I was trained, and that's what I know. On top of that, if you have comedic sensibilities, you intuitively know how to bring that forward on top of a real person. What Blake would do a lot with me was, he would let the cameras roll and I would improvise, so a lot of what's in the movie is improvised. But I couldn't do that improvisation successfully if I didn't know who she was on the inside, operating from a real core.
5
Your best is good enough. The only one you have to please is yourself.
6
Good work is good work wherever it is.
7
When I went to do Joseph (1995), it was working with Ben Kingsley that reignited in me my passion for acting. He was so dedicated and so impassioned himself, that it reignited that in me. That was a tremendous blessing.
8
I find that there are more interesting roles for women my age in the independent world, which is not to say that there aren't phenomenal roles in studio films, but 99% of the time they go to Meryl Streep or a very short list of women. Very short. And because they want to work as well as we all do, they take them. So now there's not a lot left over.
9
When I was a young girl, I had really long hair and I went to Jon Peters for the first time. He cut my hair within an inch of its life. I was traumatized!
10
Trust your own instincts, go inside, follow your heart. Right from the start. go ahead and stand up for what you believe in. As I've learned, that's the path to happiness.
11
I've been a character actress right from the beginning. I was no more like Cinderella in my real life than I was like the neurotic poet in Cop (1988). Age has nothing to do with being the kind of actress who relies not on magnetic personality, but on disappearing into the person you're playing instead. For my money, Michelle Pfeiffer's a character actress--it's got nothing to do with looks, or age, or whether it's the leading role.
12
The truth is, I would do anything for Alan Rudolph. If he asked me to stand on my head and spit wooden nickels, I would. I love him. I loved working with him. I did two movies before with him [Choose Me (1984) and Songwriter (1984)], and they were some of the highlights of my working life. He's just an inspired guy and a great person to work with.
13
[reflecting on her career] I have come far, but not far enough. It is still a man's world.
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 22, a son Christopher Peters on September 23, 1968. Child's father is her now ex-1st husband, Jon Peters.
5
Offered the stage role of Norma Cassidy (her Oscar-nominated role) in the stage version of "Victor/Victor" starring Julie Andrews, but had to turn it down due to other movie commitments.
6
Suffered from Anorexia nervosa in her teen years and into her twenties.
7
Won the most promising newcomer on Broadway for her work in 110 in the shade in 1963.
Was in a relationship with choreographer Jeffrey Hornaday (1980-1987).
10
Appeared as one of the celebrity models in a charity fashion show staged by Thierry Mugler to benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles. [April 1992]
11
Was fired after only the second day of filming for The Devil You Know (2013) due to reported unreasonable 'diva' demands and tantrums. Similar reports were made back in 1997 when Warren wasn't getting star treatment for her Broadway show: 'Dream: the Johnny Mercer Musical Revue'.
Lesley was to co-star in the beautician comedy series Snip (1976), a TV takeoff of the Warren Beatty movie Shampoo (1975) starring David Brenner as a divorced hairdresser. Just before its scheduled September 30, 1976, debut, NBC abruptly canceled the show, so fast in fact that TV Guide did not even have time to remove a special feature on the show in its Fall Preview of September 18-24, 1976. Why? One of the show's supporting characters, a fellow hairdresser named "Michael", was openly gay and NBC got cold feet at the last minute. Had Snip (1976) premiered, it would have been a first on American series TV. Instead, Billy Crystal went on to receive that honor with his gay character a year later on the popular series Soap (1977). Seven episodes of Snip (1976) were completed when it got the ax. The only place the series ended up airing was in Australia, and it became the highest rated show in Australian history up until that time.
15
Was extremely upset at first about her performance as the gangster's moll in Victor Victoria (1982) prior to its release, having thought she went horribly over the top. She did go over the top and the audiences loved her for it. Lesley was nominated for a "Supporting Actress" Academy Award, her only nod so far.
16
Walt Disney hand-picked Lesley for the ingénue role in the film The Happiest Millionaire (1967) after her "Cinderella" success. This film was the last live-action movie Disney supervised before his death.
17
Starred in an early 1970s busted TV pilot as "Cat Ballou," the role Jane Fonda made famous on film.
18
Says her favorite genre is the Musical.
19
Of all her television experiences, Warren said she had an especially great time on Will & Grace (1998) and Dr. Kildare (1961), and that her favorite television experience was the making of Cinderella (1965).
20
When she first auditioned for Cinderella, she was so nervous that the audition tanked. She had to audition a second time, and then was hired.
21
Started working on her first Broadway show (110 in the Shade) at sixteen and a half years old.
Was supposed to play the role of Brenda in Goodbye, Columbus (1969), but she got pregnant and had to be replaced. Ali MacGraw then got the part.
24
Warren says she won the highly-coveted part of Susan's high-maintenance mom "Sophie" on Desperate Housewives (2004) because of her son, Christopher Peters.
25
She once enrolled in an acting class with drama coach Stella Adler.
26
At age 13, she won a scholarship to study with ballet legend George Balanchine.
27
Her father was a World War II vet and realtor while her mother was a nightclub singer who stopped working when Lesley Ann was born.
Documentary performer: "Detroit", "Are We Dancing", "'Bout Time"
Trixie
2000
performer: "All Over You"
Baja Oklahoma
1988
TV Movie performer: "Baja Oklahoma"
Clue
1985
performer: "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow" - uncredited
Victor Victoria
1982
performer: "Chicago, Illinois" - uncredited
The Muppet Show
1979
TV Series performer - 1 episode
It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman!
1975
TV Movie performer: "It's Superman", "What I've Always Wanted", "I'm Not Finished Yet"
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band
1968
performer: "The Happiest Girl Alive", "'Bout Time"
The Happiest Millionaire
1967
performer: "What's Wrong With That?", "Valentine Candy", "I'll Always Be Irish", "Bye-Yum Pum Pum", "Are We Dancing?", "Detroit" - uncredited
Cinderella
1965
TV Movie performer: "In My Own Little Corner", "In My Own Little Corner" reprise, "It's Possible", "Waltz for a Ball", "Ten Minutes Ago", "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful? Or Are You Beautiful Because I Love You?", "When You're Driving Through the Moonlight", "A Lovely Night", "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" reprise
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Ray Meets Helen
executive producer post-production
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Age of Believing: The Disney Live Action Classics
2008
TV Movie documentary grateful thanks
Making 'Superman': Filming the Legend
2001
Video documentary short grateful appreciation
Taking Flight: The Development of 'Superman'
2001
Video documentary short grateful appreciation
Baja Oklahoma
1988
TV Movie very special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Who Done It: The Clue
2018
Documentary filming
Herself
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age
2017
Documentary post-production
Herself
Allee Willis Loves Detroit
Documentary filming
Herself
Untitled Geraldine Page Documentary
Documentary post-production
Herself
Ageism in Hollywood
2016
TV Movie
Herself
25th Film Independent Spirit Awards
2010
TV Special
Herself
Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1980s, 1990s and 2000s
2009
Video documentary
Herself
Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1960's
2009
Video documentary
Herself
Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1970's
2009
Video documentary
Herself
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story
2009
Documentary
Herself
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical
2009
Video documentary
Herself
The Age of Believing: The Disney Live Action Classics
2008
TV Movie documentary
Herself - Interviewee
AFI's 10 Top 10: America's 10 Greatest Films in 10 Classic Genres
2008
TV Movie
Herself
The View
2008
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical Treasure
2008
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Revisiting the Gallery: A Look Back
2008
Video short
Herself
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
2006
TV Movie documentary
Herself
CMT Greatest Moments: George Strait
2006
TV Special
Herself
The Tony Danza Show
2005
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards
2003
TV Movie documentary
Herself
American Choreography Awards
2003
TV Special
Herself
Art of Darkness: A Night Gallery Retrospective
2002
TV Short documentary
Herself
Lesley Ann Warren: A Cinderella Story
2000
TV Movie documentary
Herself
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies
2000
TV Special documentary
Herself
The 51st Annual Tony Awards
1997
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1997
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen
1996
TV Series documentary
Quote Reader
The 51st Annual Golden Globe Awards
1994
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The 16th Annual CableACE Awards
1994
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
Willie Nelson: The Big Six-0
1993
TV Special documentary
Herself
The 13th Annual CableACE Awards
1992
TV Special
Herself - Audience Member
Showbiz Today
1991
TV Series
Herself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1975-1991
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1991
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards
1990
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1990
TV Special
Herself - Nominee
The 10th Annual National CableACE Awards
1989
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The 44th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1987
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The 20th Annual Your Choice for the Film Awards
1985
TV Special
Herself - Winner
The 42nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
1985
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
The 41st Annual Golden Globe Awards
1984
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
The 55th Annual Academy Awards
1983
TV Special
Herself - Nominee
Your Choice for the Film Awards
1983
TV Special
Herself - Winner
The Eddie Rabbit Special
1983
TV Movie
Herself
The 40th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1983
TV Special
Herself - Nominee
The 36th Annual Golden Globes Awards
1979
TV Special
Herself - Accepting Award for Best Actor in a TV-Series- Drama
The Muppet Show
1979
TV Series
Herself - Special Guest Star
The 20th Annual Grammy Awards
1978
TV Special
Herself
The 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards
1978
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Rolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversary
1977
TV Movie
Herself
Dinah!
1977
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Hollywood Squares
1976
TV Series
Herself - Guest Appearance
The 28th Annual Tony Awards
1974
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Best Choreographer
The Don Knotts Show
1970
TV Series
Herself
The Carol Burnett Show
1967
TV Series
Herself
The Jackie Gleason Show
1967
TV Series
Herself - Musical Guest
The 38th Annual Academy Awards
1966
TV Special
Herself - Audience Member
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs
2017
Documentary
Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation!
2008
Documentary
Sally
A Company of Players
2008
Video documentary short
Herself (uncredited)
Private Screenings
2001
TV Series
Norma Cassady in 'Victor Victoria'
Superman: Screen Tests
2001
Video documentary short
Lois Lane (1977)
Taking Flight: The Development of 'Superman'
2001
Video documentary short
Lois Lane
Of Muppets and Men: The Making of 'The Muppet Show'
1981
TV Movie documentary
Herself
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
1972
TV Series
Alice Bower
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1978
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Harold Robbins' 79 Park Avenue (1977)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2005
Gold Derby TV Award
Gold Derby Awards
Comedy Guest Actress
Desperate Housewives (2004)
2005
OFTA Television Award
Online Film & Television Association
Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Desperate Housewives (2004)
1995
Razzie Award
Razzie Awards
Worst Supporting Actress
Color of Night (1994)
1991
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
Family of Spies (1990)
1990
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special
Family of Spies (1990)
1989
ACE
CableACE Awards
Actress in a Movie or Miniseries
Baja Oklahoma (1988)
1985
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Songwriter (1984)
1983
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Victor Victoria (1982)
1983
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture