• Dinah Beth Manoff is an American actress, known for her iconic role in the film "Grease"
• She was born to parents Lee Grant and Arnold Manoff, both of whom were in the film industry
• She attended Santa Monica High School and the Actors Studio in Manhattan, NY
• Her career started in 1976 and she has been prolifically active since then, starring in numerous roles
• She is married to Arthur Mortell and has three children • Dashiell, Oliver, and Desi



Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthJanuary 25, 1958
SpouseArthur Mortell (m. 1997), Jean-Marc Joubert (m. 1980–1985)
FactIn the film musical Grease (1978), Dinah managed to nab the plucky, sexpot role of "Marty Maraschino", despite the fact she lacked in dancing and singing skills. She faked her way through auditions and personality, alone, got her the part. Later, when it came down to doing the choreography, Dinah remained conveniently hidden in the background.


Dinah Beth Manoff is an American actress, who rose to fame in the late seventies, and continued through the eighties and the nineties. She is remembered for an iconic role in the popular film “Grease”, alongside the acting legends John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and has starred in numerous other roles throughout her lucrative career. She comes from a family that has had a rich history in the film industry, and it comes as little surprise that she too followed a career into acting. Dinah’s life has been marked with success as much as there has been a tragedy; here is a glimpse into the life of Dinah Manoff.

Early life and family

Dinah was born in New York City, USA, on 25 January 1956, to Lee Grant and Arnold Manoff. Her mother Lee was an award-winning actress, screenwriter and producer who enjoyed fame throughout her career, and later married Arnold who had also been a screenwriter until he was blacklisted in the fifties. Her parents eventually divorced, and Lee married the producer Joseph Feury.

Dinah’s half-brother, Tom Manoff is a musician who became famous for being a critic on the National Public Radio show “All Things Considered”.

Dinah’s earliest life was spent between New York City and Malibu, California. Her father Arnold was blacklisted for ‘Un-American activities’ during the McCarthyism controversies of the red scare times that followed World War II.

Educational background

Dinah’s educational background has it on record that she attended Santa Monica High School in California, from which she matriculated. At the age of 19 in 1975, Dinah was accepted into the Actors Studio in Manhattan, New York City.

Career

Dinah’s career started in 1976, when she appeared in the television show “The Stronger”. Before her initial appearance, she also contributed her voice to the independent film “Everybody Rides The Carousel”.

Following her early success, Dinah gained numerous roles, which included her iconic performance in “Grease” as Marty. Among her other credits, Dinah played the role of ‘Elaine Dallas’ in the sitcom “Soap”, and guest-starred in popular TV series “Welcome Back, Kotter”.

In the eighties Dinah’s fame grew, and by then she was already recognized in the film industry. During this decade she starred in plenty of titles and also made her Broadway debut in “I Ought To Be In Pictures” in 1980, and later reprised the role for the film version of the play in 1982 – she was rewarded with both Tony and Theatre World Awards for best performance by a featured actress for the Broadway play.

She also starred in the Oscar-winning film “Ordinary People”. In the same decade, she portrayed the role of Ellie Greenwich in the Broadway musical “Leader of the Pack”, and also became the first on-screen victim of Chucky in the iconic thriller “Child’s Play”.

Throughout the eighties decade, she played a role in the sitcom “Golden Girls”, and then starred as a major character in the spin-off “Empty Nest”. In the late eighties, she had two minor roles in the films “Bloodhounds of Broadway” and “Staying Together”.

Her success continued in the nineties – Dinah appeared in the film “Welcome Home, Roxy Carmicheal”, but later began focusing on television roles.

Dinah Manoff

She directed an episode of the show “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, and starred in several series that included “Touched by an Angel”, “Cybil”, and “George and Leo”. Dinah also began her career as a director and producer, making her debut with the show she previously starred in – “Empty Nest”.

As of the start of the twenty-first century, Dinah continued to enjoy success in the film industry, starring in titles such as “The Lost Child” and the film in which she shared the screen with her mother Lee Grant, entitled “The Amati Girls”.

Hobbies, favourite things and interesting facts

Not much can be found in regards to Dinah’s likes and dislikes, or what her favourites are, but she has stated that her greatest acting influence and mentor was Richard Mulligan. She met Richard on the set of “Soap”, and later starred alongside him in the spin-off “Empty Nest”.

In high school, she had been a rebellious teenager who was known for smoking on campus, and being involved in plenty of mischief.

The production of “Telegram from Heaven” was a tribute to her dad, Arnold Manoff, and was based on a novel he wrote by the same name.

Relationships

Dinah had been married twice and has three children. She first married the French designer Jean-Marc Joubert in 1980, but five years later she filed for divorce. In 1997, she married the motivational speaker Arthur Mortell, who is her husband to this day and the father of her children. Their eldest son, Dashiell was born on 26 March 1997 but was the tragic victim of a vehicle collision in 2017, and passed away on seven January 2017, on his return to Washington State University before he could celebrate his 20th birthday. Dinah gave birth to twin sons Oliver and Desi on 18 January in 2002.

Physical characteristics

  • Date of Birth: 25 January 1956
  • Hair colour: Brown
  • Eye colour: Brown
  • Height:  5ft 4ins (1.68m)
  • Weight: 140lbs (64kgs)
  • Vital Statistics: Unknown
  • Shoe Size: 8 (US)
  • Bra Size: 34B
  • Star Sign: Aquarius
  • Nationality: American
  • Ethnicity: Caucasian

Net worth

Dinah’s lucrative career as an actress and director affords her a net worth estimated at over $1.7 million.

General Info

Full NameDinah Manoff
Date Of BirthJanuary 25, 1958
ProfessionActor, Television Director
EducationCalifornia Institute of the Arts
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseArthur Mortell (m. 1997), Jean-Marc Joubert (m. 1980–1985)
ChildrenDesi Mortell, Oliver Mortell, Dashiell Mortell
ParentsArnold Manoff, Lee Grant
SiblingsTom Manoff, Michael Manoff

Accomplishments

AwardsTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play
MoviesGrease, Ordinary People, Neil Simon's I Ought to Be in Pictures, Backfire, Child's Play, Bloodhounds of Broadway, Staying Together, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Maid for Each Other, The Amati Girls, Double Down, A Carol Christmas, Bart Got a Room, State of Grace, A Matter of Sex, Classified Love, ...
TV ShowsEmpty Nest

Social profile links

Facts

#Fact
1She was awarded the 1980 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for "I Ought to Be In Pictures" on Broadway in New York City.
2Lives in Bainbridge Island,Washington [2009]
3In 1975 (at age 17) Manoff was accepted into the Actors Studio.
4Is a staunch liberal Democrat.
5Guest starred in The Golden Girls (1985) and starred in the spin-off Empty Nest (1988). Her mother Lee Grant turned down a starring role in The Golden Girls.
6She is best known for her portrayal of "Marty Maraschino" in the 1978 film Grease (1978).
7Won Broadway's 1980 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for "I Ought to be in Pictures," a part she recreated in the film version of the same title, I Ought to Be in Pictures (1982).
8Has never done a nude scene or posed nude in her career.
9(January 18, 2002) Dinah gave birth to twin boys, Oliver and Desi.
10In the film musical Grease (1978), Dinah managed to nab the plucky, sexpot role of "Marty Maraschino", despite the fact she lacked in dancing and singing skills. She faked her way through auditions and personality, alone, got her the part. Later, when it came down to doing the choreography, Dinah remained conveniently hidden in the background.
11Son, Dashiell born 1997.
12Daughter of Lee Grant.
13Daughter of Arnold Manoff.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Bart Got a Room2008Mrs. Goodson
A Carol Christmas2003TV MovieAunt Marla
State of Grace2002TV SeriesEvelyn Rayburn
Zigs2001Marge
The Lost Child2000TV MovieHelen
The Amati Girls2000Denise
George & Leo1998TV SeriesMary
Cybill1996TV SeriesAmy Fitzpatrick
Touched by an Angel1995TV SeriesCallie Martin
Empty Nest1988-1995TV SeriesCarol Weston
The John Larroquette Show1993TV SeriesKelly
Nurses1992-1993TV SeriesCarol Weston
The Golden Girls1991-1992TV SeriesCarol Weston
Maid for Each Other1992TV MovieTibby Bloom
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael1990Evelyn Whittacher
Babies1990TV MovieLaura
Staying Together1989Lois Cook
Bloodhounds of Broadway1989Maud Milligan
The Cover Girl and the Cop1989TV MovieDenise Danielovitch
Child's Play1988Maggie Peterson
Backfire1988Jill
Brothers1987TV Series
CBS Summer Playhouse1987TV SeriesFranny
The Line1987TV MovieKaren Cooper
Murder, She Wrote1987TV SeriesJenny Coopersmith
Classified Love1986TV MovieTheresa Leonetti
Cagney & Lacey1984TV SeriesJane Tanton
Hot Pursuit1984TV SeriesGillian
Night Court1984TV SeriesSister Sara Williams
Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac1984TV MoviePriscilla Tirado
The Seduction of Gina1984TV MovieMary
A Matter of Sex1984TV MovieGlennis
Celebrity1984TV Mini-SeriesMissy Craymore
Table Settings1982TV Movie
I Ought to Be in Pictures1982Libby Tucker
For Ladies Only1981TV MovieMary Louise
Ordinary People1980Karen
Mork & Mindy1979TV SeriesKathy Cumberland
Lou Grant1979TV SeriesJoanie Hume
$weepstake$1979TV SeriesMaggie
Soap1978TV SeriesElaine Lefkowitz Dallas Elaine Lefkowitz Elaine Lefkowitz-Dallas
Grease1978Marty
Family1978TV SeriesMara
The Possessed1977TV MovieCelia
Night Drive1977TV MovieAttendant's Girlfriend
Raid on Entebbe1976TV MovieRachel Sager
Visions1976TV SeriesGisella Farkas
Welcome Back, Kotter1976TV SeriesCharmaine
The Stronger1976Short
Everybody Rides the Carousel1975Stage 7 (voice)

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch1999TV Series 1 episode
Movie Stars1999TV Series 2 episodes
Brother's Keeper1999TV Series 3 episodes
Minor Adjustments1996TV Series 1 episode
Sister, Sister1995TV Series 1 episode
Empty Nest1992-1995TV Series 7 episodes

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Amati Girls2000performer: "Kiss Of Fire"
The 39th Annual Tony Awards1985TV Special performer: "I Wanna Love Him So Bad"
Night Court1984TV Series performer - 1 episode
Grease1978performer: "Summer Nights"
Grease Day USA1978TV Movie documentary performer: "Summer Nights" - uncredited

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Empty NestTV Series written by - 1 episode, 1995 story - 1 episode, 1992
Maid for Each Other1992TV Movie story

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Maid for Each Other1992TV Movie executive producer

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Happy Birthday Oscar Wilde2004TV Movie documentaryHerself
Intimate Portrait2004TV Series documentaryHerself
VH-1 Where Are They Now?2002TV Series documentaryHerself / Marty
Behind the Music2001TV Series documentaryHerself / Marty
One on One with John Tesh1992TV SeriesHerself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1992TV SeriesHerself
Blossom1991TV SeriesHerself
Live with Kelly and Michael1990TV SeriesHerself
The Pat Sajak Show1989TV SeriesHerself
The Arsenio Hall Show1989TV SeriesHerself
The 39th Annual Tony Awards1985TV SpecialHerself - Performer
Hour Magazine1982TV SeriesHerself
The Merv Griffin Show1981TV SeriesHerself
The 34th Annual Tony Awards1980TV SpecialHerself - Winner: Best Featured Actress in a Play
Family Feud1976TV SeriesHerself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
20 to 12007-2010TV Series documentaryMarty Marty Maraschino
Cinemassacre's Monster Madness2009TV Series documentaryMaggie Peterson

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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