Biography
UCLA grad Joanna Merlin made her first film appearance in 1956, as one of Jethro's daughters in the Cecil B. DeMille superspectacular
The Ten Commandments. Five years later she first stepped on a Broadway stage in
Jean Anouilh's
Becket. Her subsequent theatrical credits include the role of Tzeitel in the original 1964 production of
Fiddler on the Roof. In films, she has specialized in such ethnically oriented character roles as the landlady in
Hester Street (1975). From bag ladies to judges, Merlin has played 'em all. More recently, Joanna Merlin has functioned as a Hollywood casting director. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide