You might not know her name, but you probably know her work. In 1997, Tracy Newman won an Emmy for co-writing the historic “coming out” episode of Ellen DeGeneres’ ABC sitcom, “Ellen.” In 2001 she was co-creator of the eight-season hit sitcom “According to Jim.”
She’s more than a comedy writer, however. In fact, in addition to being one of the first performers in the groundbreaking Los Angeles-based comedy troupe The Groundlings (which launched the careers of many “Saturday Night Live” stars including her own sister, Laraine Newman, and Will Ferrell,) and a member of the popular singing group the New Christy Minstrels, she was at one time considered the foremost (and possibly only) female card-manipulator in the world. That means, when you saw a woman’s hands expertly dealing or handling cards in a movie or on TV, they were most-likely Tracy’s hands. In 1974, she shared her expertise on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” first doing a sketch with the legendary host, and then talking cards with him on the panel.
It’s the current phase of Tracy’s life that excites her most, because it’s the most personal work she’s done to date. She’s joined the over-populated, underpaid ranks of singer/songwriters in the Los Angeles area, slinging her acoustic guitar for shows at such venues as Kulak’s Woodshed in Studio City, The Talking Stick in Venice, and Bob Stane’s nationally-regarded Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
In 2007, along with singers Lorie Doswell and Gene Lippmann—known onstage as the Reinforcements—she recorded the CD, “A Place in the Sun.” Now immersed in the recording of her second CD, Newman takes time to reflect on aging and a life spent in constant creativity.
“I think because we live longer and stay healthier, you need to plan your next occupation while you're entrenched in your current one,” says Newman, speaking over coffee in the spacious Hancock Park home she
