- Received her Bachelor's degree in Acting from the Catholic University of America.
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1956 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for "Catch a Star".
- Has been directing since age 15, when she adapted scripts and staged them for the Catholic Actors Guild in Los Angeles, California.
- Spent some time touring with United States Army productions as a "civilian actress technician" in post-war years.
- Performed in nearly 200 stock and regional theater productions before she made her Broadway debut in 1955.
- During the summers from 1951-1953, she starred at a famous launching pad for comic talent, the Tamiment resort in Pennsylvania, where Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca got their early training.
- In honor of her 95th birthday on May 5, 2022, she was recognized with her name being cited first, and foremost, in national Born on This Day mention columns.
- As a devout Roman Catholic, her religious views inform her choice of what roles to accept, and in which productions, to appear.
- Received an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts from Siena College in Albany, New York.
- Mother of Tara Karsian, Kerry Karsian and Sean Karsian.
- Attended and graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, California.
- She is a lifelong Republican.
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