Joanna Merlin
Acting
46
Acting Credits
Biography
Joanna Merlin (born Joann Ratner; July 15, 1931) was an American actress and casting director who has worked with Stephen Sondheim and starred in the original Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof. She has written two acting guides and is a faculty member of New York University's graduate acting program. In recent years, she has become known for her recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Judge Lena Petrovsky. Joann Ratner, who later took her mother's maiden name, was born i...
Known For
Filmography
Active Adults
2017
as Miriam
Homeland
2011
as Grandma
Sarah's Key
2010
as Mrs. Rainsferd
The Good Wife
2009
as Loni Goslin
The Wackness
2008
as Grandma Shapiro
The Invasion
2007
as Joan Kaufman
The Jury
2004
The Jimmy Show
2002
as Emily
Witness Protection
1999
as Cindy's Mother
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
as Lena Petrovsky
City of Angels
1998
as Teresa
The Prosecutors
1996
as Jewel
MURDER and murder
1996
as Doris
Two Bits
1995
as Guendolina
New York Undercover
1994
Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage
1993
as Rose Profaci
Mr. Wonderful
1993
as Loretta
Class Action
1991
as Estelle Ward
Baby Talk
1991
as Gina
In a Child's Name
1991
as Frances Silvano
Murder in Black and White
1990
as Dr. Bromberg
Law & Order
1990
as Deirdre Powell
Northern Exposure
1990
as Nadine Fleischman
Law & Order
1990
as Defense Attorney Carla Bowman
Mystic Pizza
1988
as Mrs. Arujo
American Experience
1988
as Family Member (voice)
Prince of Darkness
1987
as Bag Lady
L.A. Law
1986
as Ellen Kennedy
Amazing Stories
1985
as Marie
The Killing Fields
1984
as Schanberg's Sister
Jacobo Timerman: Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number
1983
Baby It's You
1983
as Mrs. Rosen
Love Child
1982
as Mrs. Sturgis
Soup for One
1982
as Allan's Mother
American Playhouse
1982
as Dolly Stieglitz
Starstruck
1981
as Inez Marin
Fame
1980
as Miss Berg
Nurse
1980
as Nan Riley
All That Jazz
1979
as Nurse Pierce
The Last Tenant
1978
as Mrs. Farelli
Hester Street
1975
as Jake's Landlady
Another World
1964
The Power and the Glory
1963
Weddings and Babies
1960
as Josie
Naked City
1958
as Gloria Werminski
The Ten Commandments
1956
as Jethro's Daughter