Lynda Goodfriend
Lynda Goodfriend (born October 31, 1953) is an American actress who is best known for playing Lori Beth Cunningham (née Allen), Richie's girlfriend then wife on the TV sitcom, Happy Days.
Lynda Goodfriend | |
---|---|
Born | |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1975-present |
Known for | Lori Beth Allen on Happy Days |
Spouse(s) | Giora Litwak (m. 1982) |
Career
Before Happy Days, Goodfriend played Ethel "Sunshine" Akalino on the short-lived series Blansky's Beauties.[1] After that show left the air, she and co-star, Scott Baio joined Happy Days.[2] She originally played a guest role in the fourth season of Happy Days as Kim in Time Capsule and Graduation (Part 1), before returning to the show as Lori Beth in season five.
Goodfriend went on to play several parts in notable Garry Marshall films, playing a tourist in Pretty Woman, as well as cameo and guest star roles in Exit to Eden, Nothing in Common and Beaches. During the mid to late 1980s, Goodfriend appeared in several independent projects, including An All Consuming Passion, a film written and directed by Kathryn Nesmith (producer of 1981's Elephant Parts and wife of Michael Nesmith). Goodfriend directed the teleplay pilot Four Stars that was financed by Garry Marshall and starred veteran actor Bert Kramer and actress Julie Paris. Most recently, she directed the short film, The Perfect Crime in 2009.
On Broadway, Goodfriend performed in Good News (1974).[3]
Personal life
Goodfriend married Giora Litwak in 1982. She holds a BFA from Southern Methodist University and is the acting chair at the New York Film Academy.[4]
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
1984 | An All Consuming Passion | Susan | AFI: Women in Film |
1986 | Four Stars | Lynn | Lee Strasberg Center |
1986 | Nothing in Common | Louise Pelham | |
1988 | Beaches | Mrs. Myandowski | |
1990 | Pretty Woman | Tourist Woman | |
1994 | Exit to Eden | Linda | |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1977 | Blansky's Beauties | Ethel "Sunshine" Akalino | 6 episodes |
1977–1984 | Happy Days | Lori Beth Allen Cunningham/Kim | 79 episodes (2 episodes as "Kim") |
1978 | Who's Watching the Kids? | Angie Vitola | 11 episodes |
1981, 1983 | The Love Boat | Pam Madison Cora Winnaker |
2 episodes |
1982 | Fantasy Island | Kristy Lee | Episode: Dancing Lady/The Final Round |
1988 | Rosie | Sally Cartflight | Episode: Jailbreakers |
References
- Leszczak, Bob (2 November 2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7864-6812-6. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- Irvin, Richard. Spinning Laughter: Profiles of 111 Proposed Comedy Spin-offs and Sequels that Never Became a Series. BearManor Media. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- "Lynda Goodfriend". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- "New York Film Academy - Los Angeles - Acting Faculty". nyfa.edu. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
External links
- Lynda Goodfriend at IMDb
- In teaching, 'to see this wonderful, exciting person emerge is very satisfying.'
- New York Film Academy Highlights Acting Chair Lynda Goodfriend
- Acting Chair Lynda Goodfriend Speaks at NYFA Australia Campuses
- Acting Techniques with Lynda Goodfriend - The NYFA Hour Episode 18 on YouTube