Bunny Levine, "Gilmore Girls" and "La La Land" actress, dies at 97

Bunny Levine, a former school librarian who followed her acting dream to Hollywood, has died. She was 97.

Levine died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Tarzana, California, on Aug. 20, her manager Brandon Kjar confirmed to CBS News on Sunday.

"Bunny inspired affection and admiration in many people with her work in education and performance," Levine's family said in a statement to CBS News.

Levine was born on Dec. 22, 1928, in East Orange, New Jersey, and had a dream of acting and performing at a young age. However, she put that dream on hold, earned master's degrees from New York University and Columbia University, and worked as a school librarian for 25 years, according to her IMDb biography . After she retired, Levine began auditioning, booking numerous TV and film roles, including on "Gilmore Girls," "La La Land," "Law & Order," "Raising Hope" and more.

"She was a great and fearless actress and such a nice lady. What a full life. She will be missed," her agent Mike Eisenstadt told CBS News in an emailed statement.

Kjar told CBS News that Levine continued to audition for roles and last worked in June.

Her more recent credits include "The Invisible Raptor" in 2023, Michael Angarano's "Sacramento" and "Thelma," both released in 2024. In 2026, she appeared in the final season of "The Upshaws" and "The Cure."

In 1991, Levine and her husband of 53 years, Bernie Levine, founded the Actors Connection in New York City.

"Her passion for helping actors has launched countless careers," the organization said in a statement after Levine's death. "Thank you Bunny for creating such a vibrant community to serve the fellow artists you have always loved — may you rest in sweet peace!"

She is survived by her children, Marty, Francie and Joe, and her grandchildren, Robin and Jeffrey.