With the energy of a teenager, the wisdom of a sage, and the memory of a superhero, Marilu Henner has deservedly earned the nickname “Perpetual Motion.” Along with starring in over 30 films, six Broadway shows, and two hit classic sitcoms, “Taxi” and “Evening Shade,” this five-time Golden Globe® nominee is also a New York Times best-selling author of 10 books on health, parenting, memory and lifestyle improvement. Her books, including bestseller Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer, as well as Total Health Makeover, The 30-Day Total Health Makeover, Total Memory Makeover, I Refuse to Raise a Brat, Healthy Life Kitchen, Healthy Kids, Healthy Holidays, Wear Your Life Well and By All Means Keep On Moving, have changed the lives of millions in her quest to make the world a healthier place.
Along with hosting her own nationally syndicated radio show, “The Marilu Henner Show,” Henner has previously hosted and executive produced two talk shows (“Marilu” and “Shape Up Your Life”), and has guest-starred on most major talk shows, earning her the title “Talk Show Guest of the Year” several years in a row. As a two-time competitor on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Celebrity Apprentice All-Stars,” she made it to the Final Five and played for her favorite charities: The Physicians’ Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and the Alzheimer’s Association. In fact, at PCRM’s 25th Anniversary Gala she was awarded their Voice of Compassion Award.
As one of only 12 people documented with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, Marilu was the subject of a three-part special on “60 Minutes” and on “60 Minutes Australia,” as well as other news programs and in newspaper articles around the globe. She also served as the consultant on the CBS series “Unforgettable,” which premiered in the fall of 2011. Her ninth book, Total Memory Makeover: Uncover Your Past, Take Charge of Your Future! was released in 2012, and became an instant New York Times and Publishers Weekly Best Seller. The release of her book was followed by a national multi-media book tour, which included appearances on “Nightline,” “Good Morning America,” “The View,” “Anderson,” “Piers Morgan” and “The Talk,” to name a few. Her 10th book, Changing Normal: How I Cured My Husband’s Cancer, was released in 2016, and became the number one book on Amazon its first day.
With an acting career that continues to thrive, Henner most recently starred in feature films Life with Dog, In-Lawfully Yours, Vamps and film festival darling Imperfections. In addition to starring with Candace Cameron Bure in Hallmark Movies & Mysteries “Aurora Teagarden Mysteries” franchise, based on the books by Charlaine Harris, some of her other Hallmark films include “Love, Lights, Hanukkah!,” “Love on a Limb,” “Hitched for the Holidays,” “June in January” and “High School Holiday Reunion.” She starred in the Lifetime production of V.C. Andrews’ film “Pearl in the Mist” based on the Landry Family novels. Henner also starred in the finale of “Two and a Half Men” (playing Ashton Kutcher’s love interest), in a recurring role on the Golden Globe® winning sitcom “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” with Andy Samberg, and as Robin Williams’ ex-wife and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s mother on the season finale of “The Crazy Ones.” Broadway audiences have seen her in Chicago starring as Roxie Hart, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife and Gettin’ The Band Back Together. Additionally, she co-starred (as Masha) with Christopher Durang (as Vanya) in his Tony Award winning play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, both at the Bucks County Playhouse.
Henner also tours around the country in her one-woman cabaret show, A Memorable Evening with Marilu Henner! which debuted at New York’s famed 54 Below to rave reviews. She has since followed it with engagements in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Palm Springs in clubs in addition to expanded versions at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania and North Coast Rep in San Diego.
Henner was a pioneer on the Internet, starting her own website, Marilu.com in 1999. In 2000, she began teaching online classes for her growing membership as well as offering online counseling and support along with her 20 coaches who teach her Total Health Makeover (THM) lifestyle.
She has spoken before Congress on seven occasions about various subjects ranging from dietary supplements, to women’s cardiovascular disease, to The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 2010, to the Veggie Caucus, to deadbeat parents. She was also one of only two private citizens selected to contribute to the shaping of our government’s food pyramid. In January of 2014, she again faced Congress to present her recommendations for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Henner frequently lectures throughout the country as a keynote speaker and motivator for professional organizations, universities, government agencies, interest groups, and corporations on topics including memory, diet and fitness, women’s health issues, cardiovascular disease, cancer survival, and child rearing, as well as lifestyle, entertainment, and business organization strategies.
In 2016, she competed on the 23rd season of “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC reaching the quarterfinals with partner Derek Hough.
Henner is married to Michael Brown, CEO of Browntrout Publishers, and is the mother of two sons, Nick and Joey. Because she practices what she preaches, Henner has truly become the quintessential portrait of what health and fitness can do for one’s life, and she loves to give back to her community in so many ways.