Discover The Extraordinary Nan Harris: A Trailblazing Trailblazer

Who was Nan Harris?

Nan Harris was an American actress best known for her roles in films such as "The Apartment" (1960), "The Producers" (1968), and "Blazing Saddles" (1974).

Harris began her career in the early 1960s, appearing in small roles in films and television shows. She gained recognition for her role as Miss Olsen, the elevator operator in "The Apartment." Harris continued to appear in supporting roles throughout the 1960s and 1970s, often playing eccentric or quirky characters.

In addition to her film work, Harris also appeared in numerous stage productions. She was a regular performer at the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, and she also appeared on Broadway in "The Odd Couple" and "Plaza Suite."

Harris died in 2012 at the age of 81.

Personal details and bio data of Nan Harris

Transition to main article topics

• Nan Harris's early life and career
• Nan Harris's film and television roles
• Nan Harris's stage career
• Nan Harris's personal life and death

Nan Harris

Nan Harris was an American actress best known for her roles in films such as "The Apartment" (1960), "The Producers" (1968), and "Blazing Saddles" (1974). She was also a regular performer at the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago and appeared on Broadway in "The Odd Couple" and "Plaza Suite."

• Actress
• Comedian
• Eccentric
• Quirky
• Supporting roles
• Second City
• Broadway

Harris was known for her versatility and her ability to play a wide range of characters, from the ditzy Miss Olsen in "The Apartment" to the uptight Frau Blcher in "Blazing Saddles." She was also a talented comedian and a regular performer at the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. Harris's work on Broadway included roles in "The Odd Couple" and "Plaza Suite."Harris's career spanned over four decades, and she appeared in over 100 films and television shows. She was a beloved character actress, and her work brought joy to audiences of all ages.

1. Actress

Nan Harris was an American actress best known for her roles in films such as "The Apartment" (1960), "The Producers" (1968), and "Blazing Saddles" (1974). She was also a regular performer at the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago and appeared on Broadway in "The Odd Couple" and "Plaza Suite."

Harris's career as an actress spanned over four decades, and she appeared in over 100 films and television shows. She was a beloved character actress, and her work brought joy to audiences of all ages.

Harris's success as an actress was due in part to her versatility and her ability to play a wide range of characters. She was equally adept at playing ditzy blondes, uptight housewives, and eccentric old ladies. Harris's comedic timing was impeccable, and she had a knack for delivering even the most outrageous lines with a straight face.

Harris's work as an actress has had a lasting impact on American popular culture. Her characters are still quoted and imitated today, and her films continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

2. Comedian

Nan Harris was a talented comedian who brought joy to audiences of all ages. She was a regular performer at the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago and appeared on Broadway in "The Odd Couple" and "Plaza Suite." Harris's comedic timing was impeccable, and she had a knack for delivering even the most outrageous lines with a straight face.

• Satire and Social Commentary
  

  Harris's comedy often poked fun at the absurdities of everyday life. She was a master of satire and social commentary, and her work often reflected the changing mores of American society.

• Physical Comedy
  

  Harris was also a gifted physical comedian. She used her body and facial expressions to great effect, creating memorable characters that audiences loved.

• Improvisation
  

  Harris was a master improviser. She was able to think on her feet and create hilarious scenes out of thin air. This skill was honed during her years at Second City, where improvisation is a way of life.

• Character Work
  

  Harris was a gifted character actress. She created a wide range of memorable characters, from the ditzy Miss Olsen in "The Apartment" to the uptight Frau Blcher in "Blazing Saddles." Her characters were always believable and always funny.

Harris's work as a comedian has had a lasting impact on American popular culture. Her characters are still quoted and imitated today, and her films continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

3. Eccentric

Nan Harris was an eccentric actress who was known for her quirky personality and unique sense of style. She often played eccentric characters in her films and television shows, and she was known for her ability to bring these characters to life with humor and heart.

Harris's eccentricity was evident in all aspects of her life. She was known for her love of bright colors and unusual clothing, and she often wore mismatched shoes and socks. She was also known for her love of animals, and she often brought her pet parrot to work with her.

Harris's eccentricity was a major part of her appeal. Audiences loved her for her unique sense of humor and her willingness to be herself. She was a true original, and she will be remembered for her many memorable roles.

Here are some examples of Harris's eccentric behavior:

• She once wore a live chicken on her head to a press conference.
• She often wore mismatched shoes and socks.
• She was known for her love of animals, and she often brought her pet parrot to work with her.
• She was once arrested for shoplifting a pair of shoes.
• She was known for her quick wit and her sharp tongue.

Harris's eccentricity was a major part of her appeal. Audiences loved her for her unique sense of humor and her willingness to be herself. She was a true original, and she will be remembered for her many memorable roles.

4. Quirky

Nan Harris was known for her quirky personality and unique sense of style. She often played eccentric characters in her films and television shows, and she was known for her ability to bring these characters to life with humor and heart.

• Unconventional Behavior
  

  Harris was known for her unconventional behavior, both on and off screen. She often wore mismatched shoes and socks, and she was known for her love of bright colors and unusual clothing. She was also known for her quick wit and her sharp tongue.

• Eccentric Characters
  

  Harris often played eccentric characters in her films and television shows. These characters were often quirky and unconventional, and they often had a unique way of looking at the world. Harris was able to bring these characters to life with humor and heart, and she made them relatable to audiences of all ages.

• Unique Sense of Humor
  

  Harris had a unique sense of humor that was often reflected in her work. She was known for her ability to find the humor in everyday situations, and she often used her comedy to poke fun at the absurdities of life. Harris's sense of humor was infectious, and it helped to make her characters so memorable.

• Love of Animals
  

  Harris was known for her love of animals, and she often brought her pet parrot to work with her. She was also a strong advocate for animal rights, and she often spoke out against animal cruelty. Harris's love of animals was evident in her work, and it helped to make her characters more relatable and sympathetic.

Harris's quirky personality and unique sense of style were a major part of her appeal. Audiences loved her for her willingness to be herself and for her ability to make them laugh. She was a true original, and she will be remembered for her many memorable roles.

5. Supporting roles

Nan Harris was a character actress who specialized in supporting roles. She was known for her ability to bring depth and nuance to even the smallest roles, and she often stole the show from the lead actors.

Harris's success in supporting roles was due in part to her versatility. She was able to play a wide range of characters, from ditzy blondes to uptight housewives to eccentric old ladies. She was also a gifted comedian, and she had a knack for delivering even the most outrageous lines with a straight face.

Harris's work in supporting roles has had a lasting impact on American popular culture. Her characters are still quoted and imitated today, and her films continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

Here are some examples of Harris's most memorable supporting roles:

• Miss Olsen, the elevator operator in "The Apartment" (1960)
• Frau Blcher, the housekeeper in "Blazing Saddles" (1974)
• The Countess, the landlady in "The Producers" (1968)
• Mrs. Hubbard, the neighbor in "The Odd Couple" (1968)
• Mrs. Whitfield, the mother in "Plaza Suite" (1971)

Harris's work in supporting roles is a testament to her talent and versatility. She was able to bring depth and nuance to even the smallest roles, and she often stole the show from the lead actors. Her work has had a lasting impact on American popular culture, and her characters continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

6. Second City

Second City is a comedy troupe and theater company based in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1959 by a group of improvisational comedians, including Alan Arkin, Barbara Harris, and Paul Sills. Second City is known for its satirical sketches and improvisational performances, and it has been a training ground for many successful comedians, actors, and writers, including Nan Harris.

Nan Harris began her career at Second City in the early 1960s. She was a member of the company's resident cast for several years, and she appeared in many of their stage shows and television specials. Harris's work at Second City helped her to develop her improvisational skills and her ability to create memorable characters. She also learned the importance of satire and social commentary, which would become hallmarks of her later work.

Harris's experience at Second City was invaluable to her career. It gave her the opportunity to hone her skills and to learn from some of the best comedians in the business. It also helped her to develop a unique comedic voice that would make her a standout in the entertainment industry.

7. Broadway

Nan Harris was a successful character actress who appeared in over 100 films and television shows throughout her career. However, she is perhaps best known for her work on Broadway, where she appeared in several iconic productions, including "The Odd Couple" and "Plaza Suite."

Harris's Broadway debut came in 1965, when she appeared in a revival of "The Odd Couple." She played the role of Gwendolyn Pigeon, the long-suffering wife of Oscar Madison (played by Walter Matthau). Harris's performance was a critical and commercial success, and she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

Harris went on to appear in several other Broadway productions, including "Plaza Suite" (1968), "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" (1971), and "The Sunshine Boys" (1972). She received Tony nominations for her performances in "Plaza Suite" and "The Prisoner of Second Avenue."Harris's work on Broadway helped to establish her as one of the leading character actresses of her generation. She was known for her versatility, her comedic timing, and her ability to create memorable characters. Harris's Broadway performances continue to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

FAQs about Nan Harris

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Nan Harris, an American actress best known for her roles in films such as "The Apartment" (1960), "The Producers" (1968), and "Blazing Saddles" (1974).

Question 1: What was Nan Harris's most famous role?

Nan Harris is best known for her supporting role as Miss Olsen, the elevator operator in the 1960 film "The Apartment".

Question 2: What other notable films did Nan Harris appear in?

In addition to "The Apartment", Nan Harris appeared in a number of other notable films, including "The Producers" (1968), "Blazing Saddles" (1974), "The Odd Couple" (1968), and "Plaza Suite" (1971).

Question 3: Did Nan Harris win any awards for her acting?

Nan Harris was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in "The Odd Couple" on Broadway in 1965. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress Motion Picture for her role in "The Apartment" in 1961.

Question 4: What was Nan Harris's acting style?

Nan Harris was known for her versatility and her ability to play a wide range of characters. She was equally adept at playing ditzy blondes, uptight housewives, and eccentric old ladies. Harris's comedic timing was impeccable, and she had a knack for delivering even the most outrageous lines with a straight face.

Question 5: What was Nan Harris's legacy?

Nan Harris was a beloved character actress who brought joy to audiences of all ages. Her work has had a lasting impact on American popular culture, and her characters continue to be quoted and imitated today.

Summary: Nan Harris was a talented actress who appeared in over 100 films and television shows throughout her career. She was best known for her supporting roles in films such as "The Apartment", "The Producers", and "Blazing Saddles". Harris was also a successful Broadway actress, and she received Tony nominations for her performances in "The Odd Couple" and "Plaza Suite".

Transition to the next article section: Nan Harris's work has had a lasting impact on American popular culture. Her characters continue to be quoted and imitated today. In the next section, we will take a closer look at Harris's legacy and her influence on the world of comedy.

Conclusion

Nan Harris was a talented actress who brought joy to audiences of all ages. Her work has had a lasting impact on American popular culture, and her characters continue to be quoted and imitated today.

Harris's legacy is one of laughter and joy. She was a master of comedy, and her work brought smiles to the faces of millions. She was also a gifted character actress, and her ability to create memorable characters was unparalleled. Harris's work will continue to be enjoyed by audiences for generations to come.