Marilu Henner Joins 'DWTS'

The long wait is finally over for fans of a certain dancing reality show. The Season 23 cast of Dancing With The Stars has been released and it is packed with Olympians, race car drivers, '90s icons, and athletes of all kinds. There are names on the cast list that are still fresh on Americans' minds, like Ryan Lochte and gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez, but there are also a few names that could use some refreshment. For example, many younger viewers might be wondering who DWTS contestant Marilu Henner is.

DWTS has a long history of bringing nostalgic actors to the stage and including a variety of contestants so people of all age groups have someone to root for. While she might not be extremely well-known to the younger generation these days, Henner was a prominent actor in the '70s and '80s. She is perhaps most well known for her role in the television series Taxi , which also starred Grease's Jeff Conaway, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, and Andy Kaufman. The sitcom revolved around the employees of a fictional cab company in New York City and all of the hijinks that ensued, which, of course, were many.

Although her prominence in the business is tied to her role on Taxi, Henner has evolved into a big force in media, as an author, a reality star, and a radio and television host.

She Is A Best-Selling Author

Henner is the author of over 11 books mostly on health, diet, and memory. In 2016, she released her most recent book, Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer, which followed the journey of how her husband, Michael Brown, survived cancer without chemotherapy or radiation.

She Has Been On Reality TV Before

Henner has honed her skills in front of the camera in both scripted and unscripted television. In 2008, she appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice (she was eliminated in eighth episode) and returned to the show for its 13th season on The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.

She Has A Link To The Dancing World

In 2006 and 2007, Henner hosted PBS's America's Ballroom Challenge. She revealed her love of dance in the show's press release, and said, "I’ve got dancing in my bones. I grew up watching ballroom dancing, loving it, studying it, watching my mother teach it. So this is like coming home for me." Sounds like she will fit right in on DWTS.

She Has A Rare Gift

Henner has an extremely rare condition called hyperthymesia, but also known as highly superior autobiographical memory. Essentially, she can remember nearly every single day of her life with every vivid detail, from day of the week to what she was wearing. This could definitely help her out when she's learning those new steps from her partner, Derek Hough.

She Was A Radio Show Host

She has used her celebrity to host of a syndicated radio show, The Marilu Show. This means she knows how to handle an audience very well.

With all of these great accomplishments, and her love of dance, Henner is a great addition to this season's cast!