Valerie Landsburg (born August 12, 1958) is an American actress, television and film director, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter.Hoey, Michael A. Inside Fame on Television: A Behind-The-Scenes History. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2010. 39. Print. 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".Official Charts Company – "Hi Fidelity" UK chart details 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. In 1982, she appeared in the television series Fame. 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".
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.
Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes 1978 Thank God It's Friday Frannie 1990 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Miss Day Ashburn Credited as Valerie Landsberg1997 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 episodes1986 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 movie1990 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 episodes1994 Terror in the Night Tina Television movie One of Her Own Stacy Schoep Television movie 1995 Empty Nest Valerie 1 episodeDirector 1997 Women: Stories of Passion 4 episodesDirector 2000 Bar Hopping Agent No. 4 Television movie 2002 The Best Sex Ever 7 episodesDirector 2003 Columbo: Columbo Likes the Nightlife Television movie2005 American Dreams 1 episode Nip/Tuck Marian Berg 1 episode2006 The Unit Marge 1 episode Windfall 1 episode 2009 Mrs. Washington Goes to Smith Noreen Television movie
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