Barbara Lankau is an actress best known for her roles in such television series as 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show', 'Hill Street Blues', 'Murder, She Wrote', 'The Golden Girls', and 'Frasier'.
Born in New York City in 1945, Barbara Lankau was raised in a family of four and had two older siblings. She attended Hunter College in Manhattan, graduating with a degree in psychology in 1967. After college, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.
Lankau quickly began landing roles on television, making her debut as an extra in 'Alice' in 1976. She followed this with guest appearances in 'Kojak' and 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show'. She then began to get more significant parts, including a recurring role as a police officer in 'Hill Street Blues' from 1981 to 1983.
In 1984, Lankau made her feature film debut in the comedy 'Irreconcilable Differences' starring Ryan O'Neal, Shelley Long, and Drew Barrymore. She followed this with roles in 'The Golden Girls', 'Murder, She Wrote' and 'Frasier'.
Throughout the 1990s, Lankau continued to guest star on various television series, including 'Seinfeld', 'The X-Files', 'Friends', and 'ER'. She also had roles in 'The Larry Sanders Show', 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', and 'Boston Legal'.
In addition to her television work, Lankau also appeared in several films, including 'Primary Colors' (1998), 'Taking Sides' (2001), and 'The Perfect Storm' (2000).
Lankau retired from acting in 2009 and has since devoted her time to teaching acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in West Hollywood.
Throughout her career, Lankau has been honored with numerous awards and nominations for her work in television and film, including an Emmy Award nomination for her performance in 'Hill Street Blues'.
Barbara Lankau is a respected actress who has left an indelible mark in television and film for over three decades. She is an inspiration to aspiring actors everywhere.
