Birth Name: Madeline Gail Wolfson

Date of Birth: September 29, 1942

Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

Date of Death: December 3, 1999

Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Madeline Kahn was an American actress, comedian, and singer.

Madeline was the daughter of Freda (Goldberg) and Bernard B. Wolfson, a garment manufacturer. She was adopted by her stepfather, Hiller Kahn. Her parents were of Russian Jewish descent. She was married to John Hansbury, until her death.

Madeline’s paternal grandfather was Louis Wolfson (the son of Benjamin Wolfson and Goldie Zundell). Louis was born in Massachusetts, to Russian-born parents.

Madeline’s paternal grandmother was Bertha Crystal (the daughter of Abraham Crystal and Lizzie Simons). Bertha was born in Massachusetts, to Russian-born parents.

Source: Genealogy of Madeline Kahn (focusing on her father’s side) –

Madeline’s father on the 1930 U.S. Census –