Magda Harout

Magda L. Kardashian ( Harout, April 22, 1926 – September 9, 2021) was an American film, television and stage actress.

Life and career Harout was born in Los Angeles, California on April 22, 1926, to Armenian-born stage actor Yeghishe Harout, and his wife Gohar. Her father was also the proprietor of the Ivar Theatre, which opened on the Hollywood Boulevard in 1951. During the 1940s, Harout was a pageant queen, and in 1943 she sold war bonds to support U.S. troops during World War II. On May 29, 1947, she married Robert Thomas Kardashian (1920–1998), an Army Air Forces veteran, at the First Congregation Church in Los Angeles. They later honeymooned in Hawaii.

Her stage credits included Nine Armenians (1997) by Leslie Ayvazia and The Kiss at City Hall (2000). She received a number of awards for her appearances on stage, including from LA Weekly, Drama-Logue and the LA Drama Critics Circle.

In 1999, Harout played the role of Aunt Alma in the independent comedy film A Wake in Providence. Producer and writer Vincent Pagano cast Harout promptly after meeting her, stating that "Magda opened her mouth, and we immediately fell in love with her voice.".

Harout spoke Russian, Armenian and French, and dyed her hair lighter in order not to be typecast in stereotypical ethnic roles. She also appeared in a number of television commercials.

Partial filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1959 Crime & Punishment, USA 1963 The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze Hand Maiden uncredited 1972 Another Nice Mess Duchess of Zanzig 1974 Hangup Proprietor 1989 Transylvania Twist Peasant Woman 1990 Hollywood Boulevard II Selma 1991 9 1/2 Ninjas! Gladys Vogue 1993 My Life Aunt Sonia 1993 King B: A Life in the Movies Virginia King 1996 The Elevator Russian Maid 1 1999 A Wake in Providence Aunt Alma 2013 Baggage Claim Weisha

Television Year Title Role Notes 1963 General Hospital Therese Dr. Kildare Magda Kovar 1985 MacGyver Woman 1988 The Golden Girls Woman 1989 Quantum Leap Mrs. Miriam Davitz 1990 Newhart Smitty Days of Our Lives Madame Blavatsky 1991 Seinfeld Stella 1995 Saved by the Bell: The New Class Dean Eagleton 1993–1997 The Nanny Sarah / Madam Moleska 2002 Without a Trace Connie 2003 Six Feet Under Anahid's Mother 2004 Everybody Loves Raymond Cousin Bella 2008 Raising the Bar Mrs. Martha Delman 2010 Fringe Nana Staller