Anne Haney
A masterful character actress whose sharp, no-nonsense demeanor in a string of 90s film comedies made her the perfect foil for Hollywood's biggest stars.
1934–2001 (age 67)·American actress·Birthday: March 4·The Silent Generation
Biography
Anne Haney specialized in a very specific and invaluable Hollywood archetype: the formidable, efficient, and often hilariously unimpressed professional. With a face that could convey withering judgment or weary competence in an instant, she became the go-to actress for roles that required a grounding, realistic presence amid cinematic chaos. Her breakout came as Mrs. Sellner, the steely social worker in 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' whose deadpan inspections of Robin Williams’s chaotic household provided the film’s crucial stakes and some of its driest laughs. She repeated this magic as the President’s fiercely protective secretary in 'The American President' and the unflappable law office manager in 'Liar Liar.' Haney’s career was a testament to the power of the supporting player; she never sought the spotlight, but by perfectly embodying the sensible adults orbiting larger-than-life protagonists, she stole scenes quietly and memorably, leaving an indelible mark on a decade of popular film.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Anne was born in 1934, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anne Was Born
The biggest hits of 1934
#1 Movie
It Happened One Night
Best Picture
It Happened One Night
Anne's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1934Born
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stars Fell on Alabama" — Jack TeagardenBest Picture: It Happened One Night
1939Started school
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1947Became a teenager
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1950Could drive
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1952Could vote
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1955Turned 21
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $9,550Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His CometsBest Picture: Marty
1964Turned 30
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1974Turned 40
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1984Turned 50
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1994Turned 60
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2001Died at 67
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
Key Achievements
- Delivered a scene-stealing performance as social worker Mrs. Sellner in the blockbuster comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire.'
- Appeared in over 50 film and television roles throughout a career spanning three decades.
- Played recurring roles on popular TV series including 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'The West Wing,' and 'Boston Legal.'
- Her performance as Greta in 'Liar Liar' provided a crucial straight-man counterbalance to Jim Carrey's physical comedy.
Did You Know?
Before acting, she worked as a model and a radio copywriter.
She was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Haney was a founding member of the Matrix Theatre Company in Los Angeles.
She played the mother of actor John Ritter's character in an episode of 'Three's Company.'
“Just tell me what you need done, and I'll see it's handled properly.”
