Estelle Harman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Estelle Karchmer (1922-09-11)September 11, 1922 Beaumont, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 30, 1995(1995-04-30) (aged 72) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | Samuel Harman (1947-1995; her death) |
| Children | Deborah Harman (b. 1959), Alexis Harman (b. 1961), Eden Harman (1963-2016) |
Estelle Harman (September 11, 1922 – April 30, 1995) was an influential Americanactingcoach inLos Angeles, recognized for her dynamic approach to film acting education.
Harman began her career as an acting instructor atUCLA in the early 1940s. By the 1950s, she had moved toUniversal Studios as Head of Talent Development, succeeding Rosenstein after his death in 1952. Harman was known for blending Modern acting techniques withLee Strasberg's Method, focusing on script analysis and emotional authenticity through personal substitutions. Notable students includedRock Hudson,Bill Bixby,Tony Curtis,Myrna Hansen, andAudie Murphy.[1]
In 1957, after the decline of studio contracts, Harman established the Estelle Harman Actors Workshop in Los Angeles.[2] The workshop was celebrated for its rigorous curriculum that met federal requirements forfinancial aid, and was accredited by the National Association of Technical and Trade Schools in 1976, making it one of the few acting schools at the time to achieve such recognition.[3]
Her teaching philosophy emphasized the 'independent actor,' capable of applying various acting methodologies without adhering strictly to one doctrine. Students from the later workshop years includeCady McClain,D.C. Douglas,A. Martinez, andGregory Harrison.[4]
Her innovative approaches influenced numerous actors, includingSharon Gless, who noted that Harman had revised her teaching style from an 'outside-in' to an 'inside-out' approach because of her.[5]
Estelle Harman's contributions to the field of acting education left a lasting impact on Hollywood's training methods. She died in 1995, leaving behind a legacy of trained actors who continue to influence the industry. Her daughter, Eden Harman Bernardy, became a respected acting coach in Los Angeles. Eden carried on her mother's legacy in the acting community until her untimely death in 2016.[6]