Biography
Lorraine (Bencivengo) Ziff was born in the Bronx, New York, and has been involved in theater since junior high. She earned a B.A. double degree in Theatre and Communications with a concentration in Journalism from Marymount/Fordham University in New York. While in college, she began her acting career with small roles in films like "The Muppets Take Manhattan," where she met her future husband, and television shows such as "L.A. Law." After graduation, she received the Actor's Award. Lorraine appeared in TV shows like "Burn Notice" and films across various genres, including the comedy "Goldberg, P.I.," the crime drama "Once Upon A Time in Brooklyn," the horror film "Mansion of Blood," the drama "Treachery," and the supernatural western "Six Gun Savior." She also featured in numerous commercials, often as a spokesperson, and has earned awards for her performances.
Lorraine attended law school and ran a paralegal business before pursuing graduate studies, earning her M.S.W. from Fordham University. She served as the sole School Social Worker for an entire school district and operated a psychotherapy practice alongside a real estate investment and property management business. Deeply committed to cancer research fundraising, she has been honored multiple times as a "Cancer Research Angel" by various organizations. Lorraine has participated in numerous stage, film, television, and commercial productions. Her diverse experiences beyond acting have given her a strong understanding of terminology, situations, and conditions across different industries, adding authenticity to her acting and voice-over work. She is also a trained martial artist and proficient with firearms.
In addition to acting, Lorraine has taken on producing roles and is the Owner and President of Cohort Films, LLC. She is married to Laurence (Larry) Ziff and has two sons, Adam and Matthew. She divides her time between New York, California, and Florida. Lorraine has collaborated on films with her son Matthew Ziff, also an actor, though they have portrayed mother and son only once. Both are members of SAG-AFTRA and AEA.
