Wendy Schaal (original) (raw)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

American actress (born 1954)

Wendy Schaal
Schaal at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	(1954-07-02) July 2, 1954 (age 70)Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma mater	Los Angeles City College (AA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1976–present
Known for	Innerspace The 'Burbs Small Soldiers American Dad!
Spouse	Stephen M. Schwartz ​ ​(m. 1977; div. 1987)​
Children	1
Father	Richard Schaal

Wendy Schaal (born July 2, 1954)[1] is an American actress known for her work in Joe Dante films such as Innerspace, The 'Burbs and Small Soldiers. Her other film credits include starring in films such as Where the Boys Are '84, Creature, Going Under and Munchies. She had many guest roles in television series of the mid-1980s, most notably as Marilyn Kelsy in Airwolf. Since 2005 she has primarily worked in voice acting, most notably voicing Francine Smith in the animated comedy television series American Dad!

Schaal was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Lois Schaal (née McCullough) and actor Richard Schaal.[1] Schaal's father was married to actress Valerie Harper from 1964 to 1978, during which time Harper was her stepmother.[2] From birth until she was five, Schaal lived with her parents in Crete, Illinois, at which time she moved with her mother to Newport Beach, California after her parents divorced.[3] Schaal studied acting with Viola Spolin in Chicago when she was nine years old, later moving to Wisconsin and then California when she was 11. When she was 14, a trip to New York to be with her father and Harper soon led her to California again when her father and stepmother chose to settle in Hollywood.[4]

Schaal earned an Associate of Arts degree from Los Angeles City College,[3] acting and working in set construction. After she attended an acting workshop led by her father, she began to work on television.[4]

Wendy Schaal speaking at the 2016 WonderCon Los Angeles for American Dad!, at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Schaal's early work on television included roles on Fish, Little House on the Prairie, Phyllis, Rhoda, and Welcome Back, Kotter. In 1981, Schaal joined the cast of the ABC-TV series Fantasy Island, portraying Julie, the niece of the program's central character, Mr. Roarke.[4] Her other roles on TV included Bonnie Hornback in AfterMASH,[5] Debbie Pepper in Good Grief,[5]: 404 Vickie Allen in It's a Living,[5]: 515 and Liz Dooley in Nearly Departed.[5]: 747 She also provides the voice of Francine Smith in the cartoon series American Dad![5]: 36

Schaal was married to Stephen M. Schwartz on September 4, 1977, but divorced in October 1987. They have one son.[1]

Film

Television

Video Games

1. ^ a b c "Schaal, Wendy 1954–". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage.
2. ^ Gardella, Kay (April 11, 1986). "Harper Believes Family Comedy Mainstay of TV". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 9, 2015. Though she has no children of her own, Harper reared her stepdaughter, Wendy Schaal, who is now an actress
3. ^ a b "Identifies with role". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, AL. December 21, 1980. p. 127. Retrieved January 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
4. ^ a b c Downey, Mike (September 30, 1981). "Wendy Schaal: The New 'Tattoo'". Madison Capital Times. Madison, WI. Chicago Sun-Times News Service. p. 59. Retrieved December 14, 2020 – via Newspaperarchive.com.
5. ^ a b c d e Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.