Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the second of three daughters, Rae did not complete her studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
A stage actress since the 1950s, she appeared Off-Broadway in The Threepenny Opera. Her first significant success was in the sitcom Car 54, Where Are You? (1961–1963) as "Sylvia Schnauser". She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role in the 1975 drama Queen of the Stardust Ballroom. Rae appeared in early seasons of Sesame Street as "Molly the Mail Lady", and in a number of films.
She was married to the composer, John Strauss, with whom she had one son, and was divorced in 1976. She has acknowledged having battled alcoholism.
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