Madeline Gail Wolfson, later known as Madeline Kahn, was born on September 29, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Freda Goldberg, then just a teenager, and Bernard B. Wolfson, a garment manufacturer of Russian Jewish descent.
Madeline Kahn's early start in acting began in high school, and she continued to hone her craft at university, where she majored in opera singing and starred in several campus productions.
Eventually, she earned an honorary doctorate from the prestigious Boston Conservatory, laying the foundation for her future success in the entertainment industry.
Kahn's most iconic work came in the form of Mel Brooks' films, but she also stood out in the critically acclaimed Paper Moon (1973) alongside Ryan O'Neal, and Blazing Saddles (1974),in which she played the memorable role of Lili Von Shtupp, a cabaret singer inspired by Marlene Dietrich's performance in Destry Rides Again (1939).
Her outstanding performances in both films earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.
In 1998, Madeline Kahn lent her voice to the character of Gypsy in the beloved animated film A Bug's Life (1998).
Tragically, Madeline Kahn passed away on December 3, 1999, in New York City, after a year-long battle with ovarian cancer, at the age of 57, during which time she was a cast member of the popular television show Cosby (1996).
