Linda Purl Headshot

Linda Purl

Date of Birth: September 02, 1955 (67)

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

MOSTLY BROADWAY - An Evening with David Burnham is Coming to Rubicon Theatre This Summer

Rubicon Theatre of Ventura will present the third event in the company’s Summer Concert series on Saturday, June 3 at 7 p.m. – “MOSTLY BROADWAY: AN EVENING WITH DAVID BURNHAM.”

Photos: Go Inside The Hollywood Museum's Mother's Day Tribute to MOTION PICTURE MOTHERS

The Hollywood Museum played host to a spectacular photo exhibit, for Mother's Day to pay homage to the matriarchs of the MOTION PICTURE MOTHERS organization and the most celebrated working moms in entertainment with loving and amusing images with their families. Check out photos from the event here!

Rubicon Theatre Company to Present THE DRIFTERS & CORNELL GUNTER'S COASTERS Concert Next Month

Rubicon Theatre of Ventura will present the second event in the company’s May Concert series on Friday and Saturday, May 19th and 20th. Making their celebrated return after their sold-out Rubicon shows in 2019, these two legendary groups are teaming up again for an unforgettable concert experience.

Rubicon Theatre Company to Present UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: AMANDA McBROOM IN CONCERT in May

Rubicon Theatre of Ventura will present the first event in the company's May Concert series on Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m. – “AMANDA McBROOM: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.” The legendary singer-songwriter and actress will captivate audiences with her stunning voice and masterful songwriting in an intimate and unforgettable performance.

Ensemble Theatre Company to Livestream Final Three Performances of THE CHILDREN

Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara will partner with The League of Live Stream Theater to live stream the final three performances of The Children by Lucy Kirkwood.

THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING Comes to The Other Palace

The Other Palace will host iconic American stage and screen actress Linda Purl (Happy Days, The Office) starring in the stunning and powerful one-woman show The Year of Magical Thinking, based on the award-winning memoir by Joan Didion, for a limited one-week run.

Photos: The Hollywood Museum Presents An Acting Animals Tribute Exhibit

On the evening of April 6th, in advance of “NATIONAL PET DAY,” (April 11th), Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum, Donelle Dadigan, hosted a tribute exhibit to Acting Animals. See photos from the event.

Photos: First Look At THE CHILDREN At Ensemble Theatre Company

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) presents the fourth show of its 2022-23 Season, Michael Butler, Linda Purl and Nancy Travis starring in the London and Broadway hit, THE CHILDREN, written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Jenny Sullivan. THE CHILDREN will begin previews on Thursday, April 6 at 7:30pm; opens on Saturday, April 8 at 8:00pm and runs through Sunday, April 23, 2023 at The New Vic Theatre, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. See photos from the production.

Photos: Linda Purl with Billy Stritch Play Cafe Centro

If there was any doubt that Cafe Centro was a bona fide Cabaret Venue it was dispelled last night.  Billy Stritch was seated at the Cafe’s Grand Piano and Linda Purl was the songstress headlining on the cabaret stage of the South Florida restaurant. 

Ensemble Theatre Company Partners With ONE TREE PLANTED For Upcoming Production of THE CHILDREN

Ensemble Theatre Company, Santa Barbara’s professional theatre company, has announced a partnership with “One Tree Planted,” a non-profit that aims to plant trees in California. For every ticket purchased for the upcoming play, The Children, Ensemble Theatre Company will plant one tree.  

Photos: First Look at THE CHILDREN at Ensemble Theatre Company

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) will present the fourth show of its 2022-23 Season, Michael Butler, Linda Purl and Nancy Travis starring in the London and Broadway hit, THE CHILDREN, written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Jenny Sullivan. Check out photos here!

Ensemble Theatre Company Presents Michael Butler, Linda Purl, and Nancy Travis in THE CHILDREN

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) presents the fourth show of its 2022-23 Season, Michael Butler, Linda Purl and Nancy Travis starring in the London and Broadway hit, THE CHILDREN,written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Jenny Sullivan. 

Photos: Carole J. Bufford Celebrates Judy Garland at Cafe Centro

It didn’t take long for the new Cabaret Series at Cafe Centro produced by Sandy Fisher to have diva Carole Bufford added to it’s performance line-up of celebrity vocalists.  Ms. Bufford’s career, once designated as “most likely to succeed” in a New York Times review has certainly lived up to that critic’s expectations.  

Photos: January 31st THE LINEUP WITH SUSIE MOSHER As Photographed By Chris Ruetten

Great American actress and burgeoning cabaret singer Amy Irving stopped by THE LINEUP WITH SUSIE MOSHER last week.

Winners Announced For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards

The winners have been announced for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards, honoring the best in Cabaret performances in NYC which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022.

Photos: Linda Purl 'This Could Be The Start' at Birdland Theater

Linda Purl brings her newest set list of songs to the Birdland Theater in her show 'The Could Be The Start...'. A blend of classic songs, old and new, with an eye towards fresh beginnings in a reinvigorated time. Backed by the musical trio of Tedd Firth (piano), David Finck (bass), and Ray Marchica (drums).

Review: Linda Purl Is A Breath Of Fresh Air At Birdland Theater With THIS COULD BE THE START

When Linda Purl and co. are in the room, you can bet the room is going to be SRO.

Rickie Lee Jones to Present PIECES OF TREASURE in Six-Show Engagement at Birdland

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present an exclusive six-show engagement from Rickie Lee Jones to preview her upcoming album Pieces of Treasure from Thursday, April 6 to Saturday, April 8 with shows at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.

Julie Benko to Return to Birdland Jazz Club in February

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of Julie Benko – direct from Broadway’s smash hit revival of Funny Girl – with her band “Euphonic Gumbo” on Monday, February 6 at 7:00 PM.

Interview: Cat Curry-Williams, Will Nunziata & Joan Ryan of BROADWAY SINGS FOR SHE ANGELS at The Green Room 42

An exciting benefit concert will play The Green Room 42 this weekend and Broadway World is chatting with the three forces behind BROADWAY SINGS FOR SHE ANGELS.

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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