years_active children birth_place name parents birth_date spouse article_title birth_name occupation
1956 & ndash ; present 2 chicago , illinois , u.s. joanna merlin harry ratner toni merlin ratner 15 july 1931 martin -rrb- lubner -lrb- 1950-55 -rrb- david dretzin -lrb- 1965-present joanna merlin
 joann ratner actress , teacher , author , casting director
joanna merlin

joanna merlin -lrb- born july 15 , 1931 -rrb- is an american actress and casting director who has worked with stephen sondheim and starred in the original broadway production of `` fiddler on the roof '' .
she has written two acting guides and is a faculty member of new york university 's graduate acting program .
in recent years , she has become known for her recurring role on '' '' as judge lena petrovsky .
