Dinah Manoff, the petite daughter of blacklisted Oscar-winning actress-director Lee Grant and writer Arnold Manoff, carved out a unique niche in both stage and screen with her impeccable comic timing. Early on, Dinah Manoff showed promise, beginning her career as a teenager in minor roles—like her appearance in the 1976 PBS production “The Great Cherub Knitwear Strike” and the 1977 NBC TV movie “Raid on Entebbe.” But it was in 1978 that Dinah Manoff really started turning heads. She played Marty, one of the sultry Pink Ladies, in the wildly popular musical “Grease,” a role that brought her into the spotlight. Around the same time, she took on the part of Elaine Lefkowitz, the sharp-tongued, often whiny daughter of a mobster, on the ABC sitcom “Soap” during its first season (1978–79), further showcasing her knack for comedic drama.
Then, Dinah Manoff made a bold move to Broadway, where her performance as a daughter reconnecting with her estranged actor father in Neil Simon’s bittersweet play “I Ought to Be in Pictures” earned her the 1980 Tony Award. That same emotional depth translated well to film when she reprised the role opposite Walter Matthau in the 1981 movie adaptation. Not one to be typecast, Dinah Manoff delivered a powerful supporting performance as a troubled, suicidal young woman in Robert Redford’s Oscar-winning “Ordinary People” (1980), proving her dramatic range beyond comedy.
Over the years, Dinah Manoff continued to build an impressive body of work through various TV-movies and guest appearances. However, it was her role as Carol Weston—the divorced, fiercely competitive, and perpetually man-deprived daughter of Richard Mulligan’s character—that truly cemented her place in television history on the long-running NBC sitcom “Empty Nest” (1988–95). During this period, Dinah Manoff also expanded her creative horizons behind the scenes. In 1991, she co-wrote and produced the NBC TV-movie “Maid for Each Other,” a quirky story about a wealthy woman who loses everything and ends up working for a flamboyant singing diva, played by Nell Carter. The two eventually become unlikely fugitives—an idea that showcased Dinah Manoff’s flair for blending humor with heart.
Moreover, Dinah Manoff paid tribute to her family legacy by adapting her father Arnold Manoff’s novel “A Telegram From Heaven” into both a radio drama and a stage play. Her efforts were met with critical acclaim, particularly in Los Angeles, where audiences responded warmly to her heartfelt interpretation. Throughout her journey, Dinah Manoff has remained a versatile and compelling presence—whether on stage, screen, or behind the scenes—and her contributions continue to resonate across generations.
Dinah Manoff has had a varied film career, with some standout performances that received critical acclaim. Among her most notable works, Ordinary People (1980) remains her highest-rated movie, showcasing her talent in a powerful and emotional role. On the other hand, The Amati Girls (2001) is regarded as her lowest-rated film, though it still contributed to her diverse acting journey. Over the years, Dinah Manoff has taken on a range of characters, each adding to her legacy in the entertainment industry. While opinions on her filmography may vary, it’s clear that Dinah Manoff’s performance in Ordinary People left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike.