Linda Purl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Linda Purl
Purl in 2010
Born	(1955-09-02) September 2, 1955 (age 69) Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Education	Finch College
Alma mater	Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1964–present
Known for	Happy Days Matlock
Spouse(s)	Desi Arnaz Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1979; div. 1980)​ William Broyles Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1988; div. 1992)​ Alexander Cary, Master of Falkland ​ ​ (m. 1993; div. 1999)​ James Vinson Adams ​ ​ (m. 2006; div. 2011)​
Partner(s)	Patrick Duffy (2020–present)
Children	1

Linda Purl is an American actress born on September 2, 1955. She is well-known for her roles in popular TV shows. She played Ashley Pfister, who was Fonzie's girlfriend, on Happy Days. She also appeared as Charlene Matlock, the daughter of lawyer Ben Matlock, in the first season of Matlock. Fans of The Office might remember her as Helene, Pam Beesly's mother.

Early Life and First Roles

Linda Purl was born in Greenwich, Connecticut. When she was five years old, her family moved to Japan. She grew up there and studied acting at the Toho Geino Academy. While in Japan, she performed in several plays at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo. She played roles like Louis in The King and I and Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. She also appeared in some films made by Toho.

At age 15, Linda Purl moved back to the United States.

Acting Career

Linda Purl has had a long career in both movies and television.

Movies

After a small part in Jory (1973), Linda Purl's first big movie role was in Crazy Mama in 1975. She also appeared in films such as Visiting Hours (1982), Mighty Joe Young (1998), and Fear of the Dark (2003).

Television Shows

Linda Purl has been in many TV series and movies made for television. She started in the daytime drama The Secret Storm (1973–1974). In 1978, she played Molly Beaton in the western series The Young Pioneers.

On Happy Days, she played two different characters. First, she was Richie's girlfriend Gloria in 1974. Later, from 1982 to 1983, she played Fonzie's steady girlfriend, Ashley Pfister. She also played secret agent Kate Del'Amico in Under Cover.

Purl appeared in the historical TV mini-series Eleanor and Franklin in 1976. She played Alice Roosevelt Longworth, who was the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. She also guest-starred in shows like Hawaii Five-O and The Waltons.

From 1986 to 1987, Linda Purl played Charlene Matlock, the lawyer daughter of Ben Matlock, in the first season of Matlock. She also had a recurring role as Pam Beesly's mother, Helene, on NBC's The Office from 2009 to 2011. Her character was a romantic interest for Steve Carell's character.

More recently, she has appeared in shows like Homeland (2011), True Blood (2012), and Designated Survivor (2017). She currently plays a recurring character on The Bold and the Beautiful alongside Patrick Duffy.

Theatre Performances

Linda Purl has also performed on stage. She was part of the original cast of the international play Seven Deadly Sins Four Deadly Sinners. In 2008, she played Amanda in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams at the Cleveland Play House.

Music Career

After her time on Matlock, Linda Purl started a career in jazz music. She has released several albums, including Out of This World – Live. Her fourth album, This Could Be the Start, was released in August 2023. She is known for her jazz singing, bringing a special storytelling style to classic show tunes and jazz songs.

Personal Life

Linda Purl has one son named Lucius, born in 1995. Since 2020, she has been in a relationship with actor Patrick Duffy.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Linda Purl para niños

• List of Matlock characters