Linda Purl

Birth Place: Greenwich, CT, USA

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Linda Purl BIO

Purl has been a regular performer (and was in the original cast) of international touring play Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners. In November 2007, she appeared at the Théâtre Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo, directed by Marc Sinden, as part of Sinden's British Theatre Season, Monaco.

In 2008, Purl opened at the Cleveland Play House in Cleveland, Ohio in a production of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, playing Amanda.

After playing a small role in Jory (1973), Purl's first major movie role was in Jonathan Demme's 1975 comedy, Crazy Mama. Subsequent movie appearances have included W.C. Fields and Me (1976), Young Pioneers' Christmas (1976), Leo and Loree (1980), Visiting Hours (1982), The High Country (1984), Viper (1988), Natural Causes (1994), Mighty Joe Young (1998), The Perfect Tenant (2000), and Fear of the Dark (2003).

Purl has played several roles in television series, starting with The Secret Storm – a daytime "soap opera" drama (1973–1974). In 1978, she appeared as newlywed Molly Beaton in the ABC western drama series The Young Pioneers, set in the Dakota Territory of the 1870s and based on the novels of Rose Wilder Lane. She also acted alongside Shaun Cassidy in the 1979 TV movie Like Normal People. Also in 1979, she starred in "Women at West Point." On Happy Days she played two different roles: Richie's occasional girlfriend Gloria in season two of the show (1974) and Fonzie's steady girlfriend Ashley eight seasons later (1982–1983). She also played secret agent Kate Del'Amico in the short-lived series Under Cover and played Brett Robin in the 1994–1995 series Robin's Hoods.

She has also featured in many movies made for television, including Testimony of Two Men, The Night the City Screamed, Little Ladies of the Night, and Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs. She voiced Delilah in a 1985 direct-to-video episode of The Greatest Adventure: Stories from the Bible.

Purl appeared in an all-star cast in the well-regarded historical-biographical TV mini-series Eleanor and Franklin in 1976, broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) television network. Here she portrayed Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt.

As a guest star, Purl appeared in a 1974 episode of the long-running Hawaiian-locale Hawaii Five-O called "The Hostage", as teenage babysitter "Ruth" held captive by a deranged veteran. She played two different roles on The Waltons; early in its run, in 1974 when she played sophisticate Alicia in the season three episode "The Spoilers", and in the season five episode "The Heartbreaker" (1977), when she played Mary Ellen's sister-in-law (and Jason's love interest) Vanessa and sang a couple songs in the episode. In 1981, she starred in Manions of America. In 1984, she played Nydia, the blind flower girl in the miniseries "The Last Days of Pompeii". In 1985, she appeared in a Murder, She Wrote episode entitled "Murder at the Oasis". In 1988, she again made an appearance on Murder, She Wrote in the episode "Mourning Among The Wisterias" and in 1993, appeared for a third time on the series in "Dead Eye". In the first season of Matlock (1986–1987), (starring long-time comedy actor Andy Griffith, now in a usually-dramatic role), Purl played Charlene, Ben Matlock's lawyer daughter. She was cast in the series First Monday (2002) as Sarah Novelli, a real estate agent and Justice Joseph Novelli's wife.

Purl appeared in the role of Pam Beesly's mother on NBC's The Office TV series, starting with the season six episode "Niagara" in 2009–2010. Purl appeared in several more episodes throughout the series and was a romantic interest for Steve Carell's character. In May 2010, she made a guest appearance on Desperate Housewives. In 2011, Purl made guest appearances on Showtime's Homeland, playing Elizabeth Gaines. She played Barbara Pelt, mother of Debbie Pelt, in two episodes of HBO's True Blood in 2012. In 2017, Purl appeared in one episode of Designated Survivor, playing an old college supervisor of President Kirkman who assists in appointing nominees to the Supreme Court in the episode "The Ninth Seat".

Linda Purl Photos

Linda Purl STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2023
CAst [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2001
Aunt Polly

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1998
Victoria Phillips


Linda Purl Videos

Linda Purl News


Florida Theatre & Theatre Jacksonville Present MAME: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL IN CONCERT Starring Linda Purl

Join the Florida Theatre and Theatre Jacksonville for an 'in concert' production of the Broadway musical MAME, starring Linda Purl, on August 24 and 25, 2024, at the newlyrestored Florida Theatre.

Alice Ripley and John McDaniel to Perform at Birdland in April

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Tony Award-winning singer and actress Alice Ripley and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musical director and pianist John McDaniel in concert. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Interview: Linda Purl Teases BIG BAND ROMANCE at Birdland

Linda Purl has had a long, storied career, playing iconic roles on Happy Days, Matlock and The Office. On Monday April 1, she’s back at Birdland Jazz Club with a one-night only concert called BIG BAND ROMANCE. The show will pay tribute to the big band greats with hit songs including “Pick Yourself Up” and “Come Rain or Come Shine.”

Linda Purl and Diva Jazz Orchestra Bring BIG BAND ROMANCE to Birdland in April

Birdland has announced that singer/actress Linda Purl, joined with internationally, acclaimed DIVA Jazz Orchestra, returns to its historic stage on Monday April 1 at 7pm.

Linda Purl, Maddie Poppe & More to Perform at Feinstein's in March

Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael has unveiled its March lineup. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.

Linda Purl Brings THIS COULD BE THE START to Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael Next Month

Linda Purl has captivated millions of fans with her Broadway performances, her iconic television roles, as well as made for TV movies. Now she is coming to Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael for one night only of incredible music with her show This Could be the Start.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Cabaret Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Cabaret Awards; Current Live Standings

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Rubicon Theatre Company Receives $1.5 Million Gift From State of California

Rubicon Theatre Company receives $1.5 million gift from State of California during opening night of 'The World Goes 'Round' in Ventura.

BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards Voting Update

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards December 5th Standings; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Photos: The Gasp Collection

After four years at Broadway World Cabaret, quite a collection of photos has been amassed. These are the gasp-worthy pics.

Cabaret Photographers: Conor Weiss

Broadway World Cabaret gets photographic content from some of the best shutterbugs in the business. Here's a look at some of the captures they've shared with us.

Feature: The Best Of 2023 And The Last Four Years

It's time to see what resonated the most with Broadway World Cabaret lead writer and Editor Stephen Mosher on the last day.

Photos: SONGBOOK SUNDAYS Presents An Elegant A LITTLE TIME WITH CY COLEMAN At Dizzy's Club

Deborah Grace Winer's series continues with its second season.

Sally Mayes to Perform NOW AND THEN: THE TEASER at The Green Room 42

York Times – will present Tony Award-nominated Broadway favorite Sally Mayes in the opening show of her new concert series, “Now and Then: The Teaser,” on Saturday, December 2 at 9:30 PM.

Songbook Sundays At Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club To Present A LITTLE TIME WITH CY COLEMAN

Celebrate the music of Cy Coleman at Jazz at Lincoln Center with two shows on Sunday, November 19. Enjoy Songbook Sundays at Dizzy's Club.

Rubicon Theatre Company to Present Kander & Ebb Musical Revue THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND Directed By Wren T. Brown

Rubicon Theatre Company will present 'THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND,' a Kander & Ebb Musical Revue directed by Wren T. Brown. Get all the details about the opening night on December 9th at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura!

Rubicon Theatre Company to Present AN EVENING WITH RAINN WILSON at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura

Rubicon Theatre Company will present 'An Evening with Rainn Wilson' at the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living in Ventura. This event is the first in a new series at Rubicon.

Let's Celebrate This Talented Treasure Who Was Born in November

A monthly column by Rob Lester tributes a birthday celebrant, and the honoree for November is....

Linda Purl FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Linda Purl has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

Linda Purl has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

Linda Purl's first West End show was The Year of Magical Thinking which opened in 2023

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