Valerie Landsburg

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Valerie Landsburg
Born (1958-08-12) August 12, 1958 (age 65)
New York City
Other namesValerie Landsberg
Occupation(s)Actress, director, screenwriter, singer-songwriter
Years active1976–present
Known forDoris Schwartz in Fame
Spouse
James McVay
​
(m. 1984⁠–⁠2018)​
Parent

Valerie Landsburg (born August 12, 1958) is an American actress, television and film director, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter.[1] She is best known for her portrayal of Doris Schwartz in the 1982 series Fame, interpreting, for television, the role that Maureen Teefy had originated in the film. She was also the lead singer on the UK top five hit "Hi Fidelity".[2] Producer Alan Landsburg was her father, and she appeared in at least one installment of True Confessions, an anthology series program he produced.

Biography

Born in New York City to Sally Landsburg, a psychologist and author, and Alan Landsburg. Landsburg made her acting debut in the 1978 movie Thank God It's Friday. In 1980, she took over the role of Libby in Neil Simon's I Ought to Be in Pictures.[1] In 1982, she appeared in the television series Fame.[1] During the series run, Landsburg wrote and directed one episode of the series. Shortly after Landsburg left the show in 1985, she co-starred in two different comedy TV series, which practically ran at the same time. The first, You Again?, starred Jack Klugman, and lasted for one season. From the creators of Cheers, next came the Bess Armstrong series All Is Forgiven, which NBC cancelled after nine episodes. Despite its limited engagement, the series was rebroadcast on the A&E network through 1989, where it gained a broader audience.

Outside of recurring roles in Hotel and Dream On, she appeared in about a dozen TV movies and guest appearances on TV series, including Murder, She Wrote, Beverly Hills, 90210, Empty Nest, Nip/Tuck and The Unit. In between TV and film projects, she has appeared in stage plays. In addition to acting, Landsburg has directed several feature films and episodic television shows.

In 2001, she released an album of mostly her own compositions, titled Grownup. Among the tracks was a re-recording of "Hi Fidelity".[3]

She is a life member of the Asian Academy of Film & Television.

Landsburg has been candid about her struggle with alcoholism. She began drinking as a teenager and her problem worsened while she was appearing on Fame although she managed to keep her habits from affecting her work. She got sober the year she left the series and has been sober ever since.[4]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1978 Thank God It's Friday Frannie
1990 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Miss Day Ashburn Credited as Valerie Landsberg
1997 Drawn to the Flame
-
 Director
Borrowed Life Stolen Love
-
 Director
Too Good to Be True
-
 Producer
2001 Rock Star Concert After-Party Guest Uncredited
2005 Bound by Lies
-
 Director
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Kids From C.A.P.E.R. Dunga Ginny 1 episode
1979 The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal Loretta Television movie
1980 Marathon Annie Television movie
1982–1987 Fame Doris Rene Schwartz 84 episodes
1986 You Again? Pam 8 episodes
All is Forgiven Lorraine Elder 9 episodes
1987 1st & Ten Anna 5 episodes
1987–1988 Hotel Cheryl Dolan 17 episodes
1988 Murder, She Wrote Alice Brooke 1 episode
1989 The Ryan White Story Loretta Television movie
1990 Unspeakable Acts Maggie Rivera Television movie
Babies Andrea Television movie
Beverly Hills, 90210 Cathy Gerson 1 episode
1993 Not in My Family Television movie
1993–1994 Dream On Gina Pedalbee 3 episodes
1994 Terror in the Night Tina Television movie
One of Her Own Stacy Schoep Television movie
1995 Empty Nest Valerie 1 episode
Director
1997 Women: Stories of Passion
-
 4 episodes
Director
2000 Bar Hopping Agent No. 4 Television movie
2002 The Best Sex Ever
-
 7 episodes
Director
2003 Columbo: Columbo Likes the Nightlife Television movie
2005 American Dreams 1 episode
Nip/Tuck Marian Berg 1 episode
2006 The Unit Marge 1 episode
Windfall 1 episode
2009 Mrs. Washington Goes to Smith Noreen Television movie

References

  1. ^ a b c Hoey, Michael A. Inside Fame on Television: A Behind-The-Scenes History. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2010. 39. Print.
  2. ^ Official Charts Company – "Hi Fidelity" UK chart details
  3. ^ "Official site – music". Archived from the original on November 27, 2006. Retrieved November 27, 2006.
  4. ^ https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/fame-series-cast-now-celebrate-27924995?int_source=amp_continue_reading&int_medium=amp&int_campaign=continue_reading_button#amp-readmore-target

External links

Retrieved from "https://mdwiki.org/wiki/Valerie_Landsburg"