Lorraine Gary was born on August 16th, 1937, in the vibrant city of New York, marking the beginning of a remarkable life that would unfold in the years to come. Despite being raised in the City of Angels, Los Angeles, Gary's early years were filled with a passion for the performing arts, which would eventually lead her to pursue a career in acting.
At the tender age of 16, Gary won a prestigious award for best actress in a competition at the renowned Pasadena Playhouse. This notable achievement caught the attention of the prestigious institution, which offered her a scholarship to enroll in their esteemed program. However, Gary declined the offer and instead chose to attend Columbia University, where she majored in political science.
Gary's acting career began in the late 1960s, with guest appearances on several popular television shows. Her breakthrough role came when she played the caring and concerned wife of Sheriff Roy Scheider in the first two "Jaws" pictures, cementing her status as a talented actress.
Gary's impressive range as an actress was further showcased in the comedic roles she played in films such as Car Wash (1976),Zero to Sixty (1978),and 1941 (1979). Her versatility also allowed her to make memorable guest appearances on various television programs, including The Rookies (1972),Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969),Kojak (1973),Ironside (1967),The F.B.I. (1965),The Virginian (1962),McCloud (1970),and Dragnet 1967 (1967).
After a long and illustrious career, Gary retired from acting, only to return for a rare starring role in the ill-received film Jaws: The Revenge (1987). Since then, she has not acted in any further projects.
Gary has been married to MCA president Sid Sheinberg for an impressive 60 years, and their sons, Bill Sheinberg and Jonathan Sheinberg, are both successful film producers. Furthermore, Lorraine Gary's name was inspiration for Marty McFly's mother in the iconic film Back to the Future (1985).
