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Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Gary Kasper to Florence Klotz
Joanna Kerns Biography (1953-)
Original name, Joanna Crussie DeVarona; born February 12, 1953, in San Francisco, CA; daughter of David Thomas (an insurance agent) and Martha Louise (a clothing store manager; maiden name, Smith) DeVarona; sister of Donna DeVarona(an Olympic athlete and sportscaster); married Richard Martin Kerns (a director and producer), December 11, 1976 (divorced, December, 1986); married MarcFrancis Appleton (an architect), 1995; children: (first marriage) Ashley Cooper. Addresses: Agent: Sean Freidin, Broder, Webb, Chervin, SilbermannAgency, 9242 Beverly Blvd., Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.; Manager: Susan B. Landau, Thompson Street Entertainment, 754 North Kilkea Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90046.; Publicist: Jim Broutman, Broutman Public Relations, 8225 SantaMonica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046.
- Nationality
- American
- Gender
- Female
- Occupation
- Actress, producer, director, writer
- Birth Details
- February 12, 1953
- San Francisco, California, United States
Famous Works
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CREDITS
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Television Appearances
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Series
- Pat Devon, The Four Seasons, CBS, 1984
- Margaret Katherine "Maggie" Malone Seaver, Growing Pains, ABC, 1985-92
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Miniseries
- Marjorie Donovan, V (also known as V: The Original Mini Series), NBC, 1983
- Dr. Clare Winslow, The Big One: The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (also known as The Great Los Angeles Earthquake), NBC, 1990
- Maria Marshall, Blind Faith (also known as The Toms River Case), NBC, 1990
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Movies
- (As Joanna DeVarona) Jessie, The Million Dollar Rip-Off, 1976
- Meg, Marriage Is Alive and Well, NBC, 1980
- Doris Marshall, A Day of Thanks on Walton's Mountain, NBC, 1982
- Doris Marshall, Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain, NBC, 1982
- Doris Marshall, A Wedding on Walton's Mountain, NBC, 1982
- Pamela Saletta, The Return of Marcus Welby, M.D., ABC, 1984
- Andrea, A Bunny's Tale, ABC, 1985
- Anita Parrish, The Rape of Richard Beck (also known as The Broken Badge and Violated), ABC, 1985
- Lana Singer, Stormin' Home, CBS, 1985
- Stephanie Blume, Mistress, CBS, 1987
- Diane Pappas, Those She Left Behind, NBC, 1989
- Linda Fairstein, The Preppie Murder, ABC, 1989
- Kathy Plunk, Captive (also known Season of Fear), ABC, 1991
- Sally Raynor, Deadly Intentions ... Again?, ABC, 1991
- Eve Rhodes, The Nightman (also known as The Watchman), NBC,1992
- Mary Ellen "Mel" Robbins, Desperate Choices: To Save My Child (also known as The Final Choice and Solomon's Choice), NBC, 1992
- Katy, The Man with Three Wives, CBS, 1993
- Maryanne Walker-Tate, Shameful Secrets (also known as Going Underground), ABC, 1993
- Veronica Ricci, Not in My Family (also known as Breaking the Silence and Shattering the Silence), ABC, 1993
- Dr. Jennifer Kessler, Robin Cook's "Mortal Fear" (also known as Mortal Fear), NBC, 1994
- Jane Ravenson, See Jane Run, ABC, 1995
- Laura Eagerton, Whose Daughter Is She? (also known as For the Love of My Daughter,
Moms, and Semi-Precious), CBS, 1995
- Cynthia Martin, Terror in the Family, Fox, 1996
- Jessica Rayner, No One Could Protect Her, ABC, 1996
- Celeste Cooper, Mother Knows Best, ABC, 1997
- Gail Connelly Metzger, Sisters and Other Strangers (also known asSuspicion of Innocence), CBS, 1997
- Emma Bridges, Emma's Wish, CBS, 1998
- Elizabeth Cooper, At the Mercy of a Stranger, CBS, 1999
- Margaret "Maggie" Katherine Malone Seaver, "The Growing Pains Movie," The Wonderful World of Disney, ABC, 2000
- Matt's mother, Someone to Love, 2001
- Margaret "Maggie" Seaver, "Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers" (also known as "Growing Pains II: Home Equity"), The Wonderful World of Disney, ABC, 2004
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Specials
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Are You a Missing Heir?, ABC, 1978
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Lifetime Salutes Mom, Lifetime, 1987
- Host, The National Love and Sex Test, ABC, 1988
- Host, Second Annual Star-Spangled Celebration, ABC, 1988
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Like Mother, Like Daughter, Lifetime, 1988
- Host, Sea World's Miracle Babies and Friends (also known as TheMiracle Babies of Sea World), ABC, 1989
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The Hollywood Christmas Parade, syndicated, 1989
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Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade 1989, 1989
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Starathon '90, syndicated, 1990
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The Tube Test, ABC, 1990
- Host, Fantasies, ABC, 1991
- Host, Starathon '91, syndicated, 1991
- Herself, Welcome Home, America!--A USO Salute to America's Sons and Daughters, ABC, 1991
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Voices That Care, Fox, 1991
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Awards Presentations
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The 15th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1989
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The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1990
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The Television Academy Hall of Fame (also known as The Sixth Annual Television Academy Hall of Fame), Fox, 1990
- Presenter, The 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, NBC, 1996
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Episodic
- (As Joanna DeVarona) Joy, "Gillian," Starsky and Hutch, ABC, 1976
- "Officer Luca, You're Dead," S.W.A.T., ABC, 1976
- Beth, "Romance Roulette," The Love Boat, ABC, 1977
- Customer, "Love for Sale," Rhoda, CBS, 1977
- Lily, "Touch of Death," Quincy (also known as Quincy, M.E.), NBC, 1977
- Natalie Sands, "The Blue Angels," Charlie's Angels, ABC, 1977
- (As Joanne DeVarona) "Firehouse Quintet," Emergency!, NBC, 1977
- "Playoff," Switch, CBS, 1978
- Bobby Trilling, "The Love Lesson," Three's Company, ABC, 1980
- Colleen, "Dead Man's Riddle," CHiPs, NBC, 1981
- "Difficult Lesson," Fitz and Bones, NBC, 1981
- Mary Kanfer, "The Last Page," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1982
- Woman, "The Fashion Show," Laverne & Shirley, ABC, 1982
- "Spring Is in the Air," Star of the Family, ABC, 1982
- Cassie, "Fatal Error," Whiz Kids, CBS, 1983
- Cheryl, "Jack Be Quick," Three's Company, ABC, 1983
- Jenny "Jen" Hunter, "Two Birds of a Feather," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1983
- Trish Brenner, "A Nice Place to Visit," The A Team, NBC, 1983
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Ryan's 4, ABC, 1983
- State liquor agent, "Hair Apparent," Hill Street Blues, NBC, 1984
- Mona Williams, "Hot Target," Street Hawk, ABC, 1985
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Regis Philbin's "Lifestyles" (also known as The Regis Philbin Show), Lifetime, 1987
- Cheryl Blaste, "Blaste from the Past," Hooperman, ABC, 1988
- "Love Struck," Short Stories, Arts and Entertainment, 1988
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Animal Crack-Ups, ABC, 1988
- Guest, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1990
- Christine, "Enter Christine," The Mommies, NBC, 1995
- Herself, "The Face with Two Men," Hope and Gloria, NBC, 1995
- Voice, "Bobut Conquers All," Aliens in the Family, ABC, 1996
- Claire McLaren, "The Closure," The Closer, CBS, 1998
- Stephanie Serone, "Broken Hearts," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1998
- Stephanie Serone, "Physician, Heal Thyself," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1998
- Herself, Intimate Portrait: Victoria Principal, Lifetime, 1998
- "Touched by an Angel," Beggars and Choosers, Showtime, 1999
- Herself, Intimate Portrait: Joanna Kerns, Lifetime, 2000
- Herself, Intimate Portrait: Katey Sagal, Lifetime, 2000
- Herself, Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 2000
- Herself, "Tracey Gold," Biography (also known as A&E Biography: Tracey Gold), Arts and Entertainment, 2001
- Herself, Growing Pains: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2001
- Herself, I Am My Mother's Daughter, Lifetime, 2001
- Kathryn Cahill, "Money Changes Everything," The Education of Max Bickford, CBS, 2002
- Judy, "Claude's Alternative Thanksgiving," Less Than Perfect, ABC,2003
- Guest, The Wayne Brady Show, syndicated, 2003
- Herself, Intimate Portrait: Tracey Gold, Lifetime, 2003
- Judy, "Mom's the Word," Less Than Perfect, ABC, 2004
- Guest, The Tony Danza Show, syndicated, 2004
- Appeared in episodes of Dr. Vegas, CBS; and One Tree Hill,The WB.
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Pilots
- Dr. Kettering, Hunter, NBC, 1984
- Carrie, Morning Glory, S.C., CBS, 1996
- Claire McLaren, The Closer, CBS, 1998
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I Love You--The Three Worst Words You'll Ever Hear, 1999
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Television Work
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Movies
- Co-executive producer, The Nightman (also known as The Watchman), NBC, 1992
- Director, Defending Our Kids: The Julie Posey Story, Lifetime, 2003
- Director, "Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers" (also known as "GrowingPains II: Home Equity"), The Wonderful World of Disney, ABC, 2004
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Television Director
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Episodic
- "The Truck Stops Here," Growing Pains, ABC, 1992
- "The Dupree Family Christmas," Hope and Gloria, NBC, 1995
- "The New Actor," Remember WENN, American Movie Classics, 1997
- "Trick or Treat," Clueless, UPN, 1997
- "Affairs to Remember," The Love Boat: The Next Wave, UPN, 1998
- "Life Is a Beach," Clueless, UPN, 1998
- "Poetry in Notion," Suddenly Susan, NBC, 1998
- "Pratfall," Remember WENN, American Movie Classics, 1998
- "Such Sweet Dreams," The Love Boat: The Next Wave, UPN, 1999
- "Troubled Water," Ally McBeal, Fox, 1999
- "Disinformed Sources," Beggars and Choosers, Showtime, 2000
- "Payback's a Bitch," Titans, NBC, 2000
- "Three Lucky Ladies on the Line," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2000
- "Where's the Justice in That?," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2000
- "You Think I Am Lying to You?," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2000
- "Chapter Fourteen," Boston Public, Fox, 2001
- "Fire," Felicity, The WB, 2001
- "The Obstacle Course," Ally McBeal, Fox, 2001
- "The Right Thing to Do," Judging Amy, CBS, 2001
- "Something Battered, Something Blue," That's Life, CBS, 2001
- "Call Him Macaroni," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2002
- "Carmic Behavior," Leap of Faith, NBC, 2002
- "Come Blow Your Whistle," For the People (also known as Para lagente), Lifetime, 2002
- "Felicity Interrupted," Felicity, The WB, 2002
- "The Importance of Not Being Too Earnest," Dawson's Creek, The WB,2002
- "Stages," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2002
- "Addicted to Love," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2003
- "Power Play," For the People (also known as Para la gente),Lifetime, 2003
- "Skin," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2003
- "Substitute Teacher," The O'Keefes, The WB, 2003
- "My Common Enemy," Scrubs, NBC, 2004
- "Rush for the Door," The Division (also known as Heart of the City), Lifetime, 2004
- "Tanner," Phil of the Future, The Disney Channel, 2004
- "Trade Talks," Clubhouse, CBS, 2004
- "Romancing the Joan," Joan of Arcadia, CBS, 2005
- Directed episodes of The Mommies, NBC.
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Film Appearances
- (As Joanna DeVarona) Marilyn Baker, A*P*E (also known as Ape,
Attack of the Giant Horny Gorilla,
Hideous Mutant,
The New King Kong,
Super Kong, and King Kongui daeyeokseub), NewWorld, 1976
- Diana, Coma, United Artists, 1978
- Nancy, Cross My Heart, Universal, 1987
- (Uncredited) Herself, She's Having a Baby, Paramount, 1988
- Katharine Watson, Street Justice, Lorimar, 1989
- Aunt Sunny, An American Summer, Castle Hill Productions, 1991
- Carol Cochran, No Dessert Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn, New HorizonsPicture Corporation, 1994
- Annette Kaysen, Girl, Interrupted (also known as Durchgeknallt and Durchgeknallt--Girl, Interrupted), Columbia, 1999
- Lydia, All over the Guy, Lions Gate Films, 2001
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Stage Appearances
- (As Joanna DeVarona) Zoe, blushing bride, nymph, pygmy, and Yew, Ulysses in Nighttown, Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1974
- As Joanna DeVarona, appeared as a dancer in Clown Around.
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Stage Work
- Director, What Every Woman Knows, West Coast Ensemble Theatre, LosAngeles, 1989
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Major Tours
- (As Joanna DeVarona) Two Gentlemen of Verona (musical), New York Shakespeare Festival, U.S. and Canadian cities, 1973
- Also toured in a production of My Fair Lady (musical).
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RECORDINGS
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Music Videos
- "Voices That Care," 1991
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WRITINGS
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Teleplays
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Episodic
- (With Becky Ayers) "Family Ties," Growing Pains, ABC, 1988
- "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," Growing Pains, ABC, 1989
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Screenplays
- Author of the unproduced screenplay Freestyle.
Further Reference
OTHER SOURCES
Periodicals
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InStyle, May, 1998, p. 258
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People Weekly, June 26, 2000, p. 137
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