Alison La Placa (born December 16, 1959) See also: is an American retired actress best known for playing Linda Phillips on the sitcom Duet and its spin-off Open House, playing Catherine Merrick in 49 episodes of The John Larroquette Show and the recurring role of Joanna, Rachel Green's boss who dated Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends. Her last credit was in 2014.
Biography Early life and career Born in Lincolnshire, Illinois,Editors of Chase's (2018). Chase's Calendar of Events 2019: The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 601. . a suburb of Chicago, La Placa is a graduate of Stevenson High School.Nenni, Pete. "Stevenson grads make a name for themselves in television roles", Daily Herald (Arlington Heights), May 13, 2003.
Shortly after moving to Hollywood, La Placa landed the role of Elyse in the sitcom version of Barry Levinson's dramedy film Diner (1982). That pilot did not get picked up, and soon thereafter La Placa got a role in the made-for-TV film Listen to Your Heart (1983).
Later career The following year, La Placa earned a regular spot on the short-lived sitcom Suzanne Pleshette Is Maggie Briggs (1984). She had a small role in the movie Fletch (1985), and subsequently played the starring role of Linda Phillips on the sitcoms Duet (from 1987 to 1989) and Open House (from 1989 to 1990). La Placa played opposite Kirstie Alley in the comedy movie Madhouse (1990), with co-star John Larroquette.
La Placa has guest-starred on series including Family Ties, Cheers, ER and Desperate Housewives. She was a regular on Stat (1991), The Jackie Thomas Show (1992), Tom (1994), and the NBC sitcom The John Larroquette Show (from 1994 to 1996).LaPlaca also guest-starred on the sitcom Friends, where she portrays Joanna, Rachel Green’s boss. This role has become one of her more recognizable television appearances among younger audiences.
La Placa guest-starred on animated series such as Batman: The Animated Series and Johnny Bravo. She played the character Andrea in the television series Boston Legal in two episodes in season 4 ("Glow in the Dark" and "Rescue Me"). She appeared in Malcolm in the Middle as Barbara in the episode "Convention" and in a recurring role in 'Til Death as Beth, Joy's co-worker. She guest-starred in the CBS sitcom Mom.
Personal life LaPlaca has been married to television actor/director Philip Charles MacKenzie (her co-star on Open House) since 1992.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1984 Voyage of the Rock Aliens Diane Credited as Alison Laplaca1985Fletch Pan Am Clerk1990MadhouseClaudia
Television Year Title Role Notes1983Listen to Your Heart Lynn Television film1984Diner Elyse Television short1984Maggie BriggsMelanie BittermanEpisode: "A New Leaf"1984Family TiesBarbaraEpisode: "Fabric Smarts"1985CheersPaula NelsonEpisode: "Behind Every Great Man"1985BrothersAnnie TodsonEpisode: "The Shoop Shoop Shop"1985Janet Landry Television film (credited as Alison LaPlaca)1986Remington SteeleJoan KendallEpisode: "Steele in the Running"1986Second ServeNightclub SingerTelevision film1987Our HouseAnn TollfesonEpisode: "The Best Intentions"1987FameMs. Audrey FlemingEpisode: "The Crimson Blade"1987The $25,000 PyramidHerselfAired November 23, 1987 to November 27, 19871987-1989DuetLinda Phillips Main role1989-1990Open HouseLinda PhillipsMain role1991 StatDr. Elizabeth NewberryMain role1991In The Nick of TimeSusan Rosewell Television film1992-1993The Jackie Thomas ShowLaura MillerMain role1994Batman: The Animated SeriesBaby-Doll / Mary Louise DahlVoice, episode: "Baby-Doll" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)1994TomDorothy GrahamMain role1994-1996The John Larroquette ShowCatherine Merrick Recurring role; 49 episodes1997DuckmanMarionVoice, episode: "With Friends Like These"1997Temporarily YoursLily GreerEpisode: "By Design"1997Johnny BravoLois/BrunetteVoice, episode: "Going Batty/Berry the Butler/Red Faced in the White House" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)1997FriendsJoanna 3 episodes (credited as Alison LaPlaca)19987th HeavenCarolyn FultonEpisode: "...And a Nice Chianti"1999HerculesAdditional voicesEpisode: "Hercules and the Odyssey Experience"2000Malcolm in the MiddleBarbaraEpisode: "Convention" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)2001Nathan's ChoicePilot Television short2002ERFemale LawyerEpisode: "Lockdown"2006Desperate HousewivesRita PattersonEpisode: "The Miracle Song" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)2007The O.C.Dr. JamesEpisode: "The Groundhog Day" (credited as Alison LaPlaca) 2007Grey's AnatomyMrs. Nolston 2 episodes (credited as Alison LaPlaca)2008Boston LegalAndrea Michele2 episodes (credited as Alison LaPlaca)2008-2010'Til DeathBeth3 episodes (credited as Alison LaPlaca)2009Lie to MeDiane KtretschmerEpisode: "Do No Harm" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)2009Without a TraceMary WhitmanEpisode: "Voir Dire" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)201015 MinutesGoldie Television short2011Man Up!CarollEpisode: "Acceptance"2012Up All NightGail Reinhold Episode: "Preschool Auction" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)2014MomLouanne Episode: "Forged Resumes and the Recommended Dosage" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)
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