About
Joanna Merlin (born Joann Ratner; July 15, 1931) was an American actress and casting director who has worked with Stephen Sondheim and starred in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. She has written two acting guides and is a faculty member of New York University's graduate acting program. In recent years, she has become known for her recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Judge Lena Petrovsky. Joann Ratner, who later took her mother's maiden name, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Toni Merlin and Harry Ratner, a Jewish grocer. Her family also included her older sister Harriet Glickman (1926-2020) who would go on to gain recognition for having helped persuade Charles Schulz to add a black character to his Peanuts strip. Merlin first acted on stage at age 11, joining a community theatre production, Too Many Marys. Merlin graduated from UCLA and later...
Known for
Law & OrderSeries • 1990
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitSeries • 1999
The Good WifeSeries • 2009
HomelandSeries • 2011
American ExperienceSeries • 1988
L.A. LawSeries • 1986
American PlayhouseSeries • 1982
Northern ExposureSeries • 1990
Naked CitySeries • 1958
Amazing StoriesSeries • 1985
New York UndercoverSeries • 1994
The Ten CommandmentsMovie • 1956
Another WorldSeries • 1964
The Last EmperorMovie • 1987
The InvasionMovie • 2007
Big Trouble in Little ChinaMovie • 1986
City of AngelsMovie • 1998
The Killing FieldsMovie • 1984
FameMovie • 1980
The JurySeries • 2004
Prince of DarknessMovie • 1987
All That JazzMovie • 1979
Sarah's KeyMovie • 2010
Mystic PizzaMovie • 1988