The lone female cabbie surrounded by male drivers who all adored her, the
beautiful Elaine was the sweetheart of “Taxi.”
Whether they were protecting her from the lecherous advances of Louie
the dispatcher (Danny Devito) or painting her apartment for her, the boys in the garage all looked after Elaine like she was a sister.
Like the other cabbies on “Taxi,” Elaine aspired for a better life. She worked as a receptionist in an art gallery during the day and dreamed of a career in art.
Although “Taxi” didn't score large ratings, it had a devoted following and was a huge favorite with the critics. In five seasons (1978-83), “Taxi” was nominated for 31 Emmys, winning 18 times, including three for Outstanding Comedy Series (1979-81). It was nominated for 25 Golden Globes with three awards for Best TV Series.
TV Guide ranked "Taxi" was No. 48 on its list of 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
Most of the actors in “Taxi's” ensemble cast later developed into TV or film stars, including Devito, Tony Danza, Judd Hirsch, Andy Kaufman, Christopher Lloyd, Carol Kane, and Rhea Perlman.
“I don't think there was ever a show where each of the players went on to do so much more,” Marilu, who was nominated for four Golden Globes on "Taxi," said.
Born in Chicago to a Greek mother and Polish father, Marilu began dancing when she was 2 and was teaching in her mother's dance school at age 14.
Marilu's first big acting break came when she landed the role of “Marty” in the original production of “Grease” in Chicago in 1971. She was asked to reprise the role when the show moved to Broadway, but instead opted to join the national touring company with friend John Travolta.
She didn't believe “Grease” would translate to a national audience because of all the Chicago references.
She told www.suntimes.com that the original “Grease” play and the film version were as “different as night and day.”
“We were a tough gang, we wore black nylons that we would cut up, and we would wear razor blades in our hair,” she said.
"We'd up-tease our hair like punks. Everything about the original Chicago production was much grittier, much more tough.”
Marilu moved to New York and appeared in Broadway plays “Pal Joey” and “Chicago,” among others. Like most actresses, she also made commercials
“In New York, I did about 28 TV commercials and nobody recognized me because I was always different,” she told Roger Ebert. “I played everyone from the Samsonite Luggage Girl to Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher.”
After “Taxi,” Marilu co-starred in several films, most notable, “The Man Who Loved Women” with Burt Reynolds; “Johnny Dangerously” with Michael Keaton; and “Perfect” with her old friend Travolta.
Marilu returned to television in 1990, co-starring with Burt Reynolds in “Evening Shade,” a sitcom about life at a small town high school in Arkansas.
In 2010 it was documented that Marilu has hyperthymesia, an ability that allows her to recall minute details of every day of her life since she was young. “60 Minutes” featured a segment about this condition, also called superior autobiographical memory, that reported only six individuals in the world have this ability.
“I never knew [hyperthymesia] was that unique,” she told Howard Stern. “Until the '60 Minutes' show I had no idea it was considered a super power.”
“I always had a great memory, people always teased me about it for years. It was a real combination of nature and nurture,” she said on CBS.
“It's like time travel, I'm back looking through my eyes.”
By 2012, Marilu had written nine books on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including “Total Health Makeover.” Her books stress regular exercise and a non-dairy diet.
Marilu's latest book released in 2012, "Total Memory Makeover: Uncover Your Past, Take Charge of Your Future," assists people in recalling their own autobiographical memories.
No. 12
Classic TV Beauties 1970s Countdown
MARILU HENNER as Elaine Nardo in "Taxi"
A gorgeous knockout with flaming red hair and blue eyes, the divorced Elaine never found Mr. Right on the show, so she was relegated to driving a cab in New York City.
Marilu has remained a beautiful lady. Almost thirty years after "Taxi" ended its run, Howard Stern called Marilu "a sexual dynamite...sexual napalm."
"Taxi" was Marilu's gateway to stardom.
“I loved 'Taxi,' [It] was more than just a project. It was kind of my life for five years,” Marilu said in an interview with www.soystache.com. “Taxi would rank first” on her list of accomplishments. “One of the biggest thrills I have is when famous people recognize me from 'Taxi.'”
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