Marilu Henner Reflects on Life-Changing Moment During “Taxi” Fame
Marilu Henner, best known for her role in the hit TV series “Taxi,” recently opened up about the moment she realized her life had changed forever. The actress, who skyrocketed to fame in the late 1970s, shared a pivotal moment that occurred while she was dating “Grease” star John Travolta.
In an interview with AARP, Henner recalled a moment in September 1978 when she was walking down the street with her co-stars from “Taxi” and people started honking and yelling out their character names. It was then that she and her colleagues knew that their lives had changed.
“Taxi,” which aired for five seasons between 1978 and 1983, followed the lives of a group of cab drivers at the Sunshine Cab Company. The show not only helped launch the careers of its stars, including Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, and Judd Hirsch, but also earned Henner five Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of Elaine Nardo.
Henner emphasized the importance of the bonds created while filming “Taxi” and revealed that she has remained close with her colleagues over the years. She described the cast as a family and shared that they have continued to stay in touch, even organizing Zoom calls during the pandemic.
Last year, the cast of “Taxi” celebrated the show’s 45th anniversary, with some members reuniting in May. Henner also reflected on her friendship with Travolta, with whom she appeared in two movies after working together on the stage production of “Grease.”
Despite turning down a role in the film adaptation of “Grease,” Henner expressed admiration for the project and highlighted the differences between the play and the movie. She praised Travolta’s talent and described him as an “amazing human being.”
As Henner looks back on her career and the impact of “Taxi,” she continues to cherish the memories and connections she made during that transformative time in her life.
