Early Life
Rhoda was born to Leo and Lillian Cohan in a Jewish family with arts connections. Her older brother, Martin Cohan, was a comedy writer who co-created “Who’s the Boss?,” making the show not just a career highlight for Rhoda but also a meaningful family connection. Growing up in Philadelphia, Rhoda was drawn to performance from a young age, setting the stage for her future in the entertainment industry.
Rhoda Gemignani’s Education and Artistic Journey
Rhoda trained at San Francisco State College of Theater and Dance. The time she spent learning about acting shaped her career, allowing her to play comedic and dramatic parts. Her education prepared her for her polished performances.
Rhoda Gemignani’s Family and Personal Life
In 1961, Rhoda married theater composer Paul Gemignani. While their marriage eventually ended in divorce, it was also a major chapter in her life reflecting her close relationship to the performing arts community. After her divorce with Paul, Rhoda has since kept her family life private.
A Career That Spans Decades
Rhoda Gemignani’s acting career took off in the 1970s, when she began appearing on several sitcoms, often in small but memorable roles. Her work in this genre includes appearances on “Diff’rent Strokes,” “The Jeffersons,” “Friends,” “Seinfeld,” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Notably, she originated the role of Irene Katsopolis, Jesse’s mother, on “Full House,” before being replaced by Yvonne Wilder.
Perhaps Rhoda Gemignani’s most iconic role is her recurring role as Mrs Rossini on “Who’s the Boss?” (1984-1992). She appeared in eight seasons of the show, making the sitcom an 80s cultural icon.
Beyond sitcoms, Rhoda’s television career also saw her in more dramatic roles. She made guest appearances on “Police Woman,” “Kojak,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Hill Street Blues,” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Her ability to shift from comedy to drama with ease speaks to her versatility as an actress.
Film and Theater
Rhoda also made films. Her roles included real estate agent in “Ghostbusters” (1984), Costanza in “The Man Who Wasn’t There” (2001), and had a role in “Three Fugitives” (1989).
Her theater career was equally rich, with standout roles including Cleopatra in “Caesar and Cleopatra,” Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and Golde in a production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Later Years and Voice Work
During the 1990s, Rhoda played major roles in two short-lived television shows: beautician Ruby DeMattis in the sitcom “Family Album” and Pearl Frischetti in the legal drama “The Great Defender.” At the turn of the millennium, she appeared as the mother of Elliot DiMauro on “Just Shoot Me!” (1999-2003).
Rhoda even expanded her talents into the world of video games, providing the voice of Gladys Fairfax and two other characters in “SWAT 4,” released in 2005. Her only acting role during the 2010s was as Mrs. LeBlanc in the sitcom “Episodes.”
