Linda Purl

Linda Purl began her film career with a role in Jory (1973) and gained her first major film role in Crazy Mama (1975). She went on to appear in films including 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).

In television, Purl began with The Secret Storm (1973–1974) and appeared in The Young Pioneers (1978), Like Normal People (1979), and Women at West Point (1979). She had recurring roles on Happy Days (1974; 1982–1983), Under Cover, and Robin’s Hoods (1994–1995). She also appeared in numerous television films, including Testimony of Two Men, The Night the City Screamed, Little Ladies of the Night, and Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs. Her miniseries work included Eleanor and Franklin (1976), Manions of America (1981), and The Last Days of Pompeii (1984).

Purl made guest appearances on series including Hawaii Five-O (1975), The Waltons (1974; 1977), and Murder, She Wrote (1985, 1988, 1993). She had a regular role as Charlene Matlock in Matlock (1986–1987) and later appeared in First Monday (2002). Additional television roles include appearances on The Office (2009–2010), Desperate Housewives (2010), Homeland (2011), True Blood (2012), and Designated Survivor (2017), as well as a recurring role on The Bold and the Beautiful.

In theatre, Purl performed in the touring production Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners and appeared in The Glass Menagerie (2008) at Cleveland Play House. In music, she launched a jazz career and released albums including Out of This World – Live and This Could Be the Start (2023).