Marilu Henner, actress of ‘Taxi’ fame, to speak at Sarasota-Bradenton Tidewell event

Marilu Henner, who came to fame as Elaine O’Connor-Nardo in the sitcom “Taxi,” had only just begun her remarkable career when the series premiered in the late 1970s.

She went on to star in 72 films, seven Broadway shows and a second hit sitcom, “Evening Shade.”

Henner, 71, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for Tidewell Foundation’s 15th Annual Signature Luncheon on March 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

She is the latest in a line of notable Tidewell speakers that includes Melissa Gilbert of “Little House on the Prairie;” Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medal figure skater; Lorna Luft, Broadway star and daughter of Judy Garland; and Henry Winkler, who played Fonzie in “Happy Days.”

Henner is the author of 10 books on health, parenting, memory and lifestyle improvement.

She also has a superpower: hyperthymesia, a person’s ability to remember nearly every event of their life with great precision. Hyperthymesia is sometimes referred to as highly superior autobiographical memory.

Henner is a spokesperson for Alzheimer’s disease awareness. She has been an advocate for hospice care, and in 2019 she became a spokesperson for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Proceeds from the luncheon help the Tidewell Foundation fund charity care, grief support services, specialized veterans care, music therapy, telehealth and other programs.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. For more information, visit SignatureLuncheon.org.