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Born Bernice Levine in New Jersey in 1928, she spent much of her early professional life in education. She earned advanced degrees and worked for about 25 years as a school librarian. But her childhood interest in performing never disappeared. After retiring in 1985, when she was nearing 60, Levine decided to pursue acting professionally. What might have been a short-lived retirement adventure instead became a second career that lasted for decades.
Levine gradually built an impressive résumé, appearing in television comedies, dramas, sketch shows, and feature films. Her credits included Shameless, Chappelle’s Show, Thelma, and the Oscar-winning La La Land, among many others. She became especially memorable for bringing warmth, humor, and personality to supporting roles. She also co-founded Actors Connection with her husband, helping aspiring performers navigate the entertainment industry and develop their careers.