Lynda Goodfriend

Lynda Goodfriend
Goodfriend in 1978
Alma materSouthern Methodist University
OccupationActress
Years active1975–present
Known forLori Beth Allen-Cunningham on Happy Days
SpouseGiora Litwak (m. 1982)
Children1

Lynda Goodfriend is an American actress. Her credits include Blansky's Beauties (1977), Who's Watching the Kids? (1978), The Love Boat (1981, 1983), Fantasy Island (1982), Beaches (1988), Pretty Woman (1990), and Exit to Eden (1994). However, her most notable role was playing Lori Beth Cunningham (née Allen), Richie's girlfriend then wife, on the TV sitcom Happy Days (1977-1984).

In 2011 she become 'Chair of the Acting Department' in the New York Film Academy.

Early life and education

Goodfriend graduated from Coral Gables High School in Coral Gables, Florida[1] and from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she received a degree in drama.[2] She studied acting with Lee Strasberg and Sanford Meisner,[3] also attended the Harvey Lembeck comedy workshop.[3]

Career

Goodfriend started her career as a professional dancer and singer 'Off Broadway' where she performed alongside John Travolta.[3] On Broadway, she performed in Good News (1974).[4]

She played Ethel "Sunshine" Akalino on the short-lived series Blansky's Beauties (1977).[5] After that show left the air, she and co-star Scott Baio joined Happy Days in 1977.[6] 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.[7]


Goodfriend went on to play several parts in notable Garry Marshall films, playing a tourist in Pretty Woman (1990),[7] 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. Goodfriend directed the teleplay pilot Four Stars that was financed by Garry Marshall,[7] and starred veteran actor Bert Kramer and actress Julie Paris. Most recently, she directed the short film The Perfect Crime in 2009.[7]

Goodfriend started 'The Actors Workout' in North Hollywood, the Theatre District,[3] where she developed two schools plus one Theatre.[3] She became head of 'Young Artists Management' for some years, working with top acting talent.[3] In 2006, she joined the New York Film Academy,[3] as a teacher of acting, later to become 'Chair of the Acting Department' in 2011.[3]

Personal life

Goodfriend married Giora Litwak in 1982.[7] They would have a daughter named Peri.[8] By 1986, Goodfriend was living separately from her husband and raising Peri as a single parent.[8] She holds a BFA from Southern Methodist University and is the acting chair at the New York Film Academy.[9]

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 [7]
1990 Pretty Woman Tourist Woman [7]
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")[7]
1978 Who's Watching the Kids? Angie Vitola 11 episodes
1981, 1983 The Love Boat Pam Madison
Cora Winnaker 		2 episodes[7]
1982 Fantasy Island Kristy Lee Episode: Dancing Lady/The Final Round
1988 Rosie Sally Cartflight Episode: Jailbreakers

References

  1. ^ Bowden, Robert (May 19, 1979). "Lynda Goodfriend climbs mountains -- and the TV success ladder". Tampa Bay Times. p. 50. Retrieved March 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Anderson, Jack E. (April 8, 1979). "TV stars hurt by overexposure". Tallahassee Democrat. Knight-Ridder News Service. p. TV Week 37. Retrieved March 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "New York Film Academy Highlights Acting Chair Lynda Goodfriend". nyfa.edu. April 28, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  4. ^ "Lynda Goodfriend". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved December 30, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Irvin, Richard. Spinning Laughter: Profiles of 111 Proposed Comedy Spin-offs and Sequels that Never Became a Series. BearManor Media. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Whatever Happened to Lynda Goodfriend, Lori Beth Cunningham on 'Happy Days'?". remindmagazine.com. January 2, 2026. Retrieved January 2, 2026.
  8. ^ a b Riddle, Percy C. (August 19, 1986). "In teaching, 'to see this wonderful, exciting person emerge is very satisfying.'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  9. ^ "New York Film Academy - Los Angeles - Acting Faculty". nyfa.edu. Retrieved June 20, 2017.


allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynda_Goodfriend