Candice "Candy" Azzara, born on May 18, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned American character actress known for her frequent portrayals of Italian and Jewish characters. She is the daughter of Josephine (née Bravo) and Samuel Azzara and was inspired to embark on an acting career after watching the iconic film La Strada, as well as through the influence of theatre great Eleanora Duse.
Azzara honed her craft by studying under prominent figures like Lee Strasberg and Gene Frankel, leading her to perform in off-Broadway and regional theater productions. She made her Broadway debut in 1968 in Lovers and Other Strangers and has since graced the stage in various productions, including Jake's Women, Cactus Flower, Any Wednesday, Barefoot in the Park, and The Moon Is Blue.
In television, Azzara portrayed Gloria in the second pilot of All in the Family when it was initially titled Those Were the Days. She became a familiar face on sitcoms, starring in Calucci's Department and appearing regularly on shows such as Caroline in the City, Who's the Boss, and Rhoda. Her guest appearances span numerous series, including Diff'rent Strokes, Murder, She Wrote, and ER.
On the big screen, she has been featured in films like In Her Shoes, Ocean's Twelve, Catch Me If You Can, and Easy Money. Notably, Azzara is also the aunt of actress Lana Parrilla.
