Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri

Taught radio at the University of Missouri

Worked as newswriter and documentary producer for National Public Radio affliate, KCUR-FM

Joined the Pitschel Players in San Francisco

Became a member of the Los Angeles Groundlings Improv Comedy Revue

Feature acting debut, "Carrie"

Debut as regular on variety series, "Tony Orlando and Dawn"

Co-star of a short-lived TV series, "The Kallikaks"

Cast in recurring role of Lucille Tarlek on a series, "WKRP in Cincinnati"

Regular on a variety series, "The Big Show"

Regular guest on a short-lived morning variety series, "The David Letterman Show"

Regular on the short-lived series, "Harper Valley PTA"

Regular on the syndicated comedy series, "Madame's Place"

Regular on the short-lived comedy series, "No Soap, Radio"

Debut in a TV-movie, "Bill on His Own"

Provided voice for animated TV series, "Snorks"

Regular on a syndicated children's series, "Small Wonder"

Provided voice for an animated children's series, "The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo"

Voiced character for an animated TV series, "The New Jetsons"

Cast in the role of the sympathetic school secretary in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", the first of four John Hughes features in which she has been cast

Played Mrs. Poole on the NBC sitcom, "Valerie"; remained with the show through its later incarnations, "Valerie's Family" and CBS's "The Hogan Family"

Provided voice for an animated children's series, "Rick Moranis in Gravedale High"

Voiced Normina Normanmeyer on animated children's series, "The Addams Family"