ILENE GRAFF: It Pays TO BE KIND

The Mr. Belvedere alum talks about her life, her long career and the ways she's giving back

- Amanda Champagne-Meadows

Earlier this summer, the cast of the original Broadway production of Grease got together in New York to celebrate the beloved musical's 50th anniversary. "The original Greasers are a very tight group," says singer-actress Ilene Graff, who played Sandy for two-and-a-half years. "During those years, we were young performers playing high school kids. For many of us, our Grease friends sort of threw our real high school and college friends out the window. We formed very strong bonds."

People who weren't lucky enough to see Ilene on Broadway most likely know her from television. From 1985 to 1990, she played Marsha, George's lawyer wife on Mr. Belvedere. "That role was a perfect fit for me, personality wise," Ilene, 73, tells Closer. "I was also a young mom. And I got to know my TV kids so well that it gave me a little insight into what was to come with my own family."

Did you always know that you were going into the entertainment field?

Yes. My dad was a singer. He was in a group and also did tons of jingles and backup singing on records. I started singing professionally for: my dad on jingles when I was maybe 12. The only thing that was different about me is that I wanted to go into theater and do musicals.

So your family were supportive?

Oh, sure. It was like just going into the family business. I was a rebel because I wanted to talk and not just sing. But my parents were theater lovers.

What was your first big break?

I got my first Broadway show right out of college. My dad got me an audition for Promises, Promises because he was friends with the music director. Once I got that show and did the national tour, it gave me credibility.

You've worked in television pretty steadily since the 1970s. That's very rare!