Actress Linda Purl marked her 71st birthday this week, with a celebration that brought attention to her extensive career in television and film. Purl, best known for her roles in 'Happy Days,' 'The Office,' and 'Matlock,' was recently photographed picking up her birthday cake in Los Angeles.
Purl's television journey includes a memorable late-season arc on 'Happy Days' as Ashley Pfister, a girlfriend of Henry Winkler's iconic character, Arthur Fonzarelli. Fans of the show might also recall her earlier guest appearance in 1974, playing Gloria, a romantic interest for Ron Howard's Richie Cunningham.
She later transitioned to a dramatic role in the 1980s, playing the daughter of the titular attorney in the first season of 'Matlock.' In the 2000s, Purl took on the role of Pam Beesley's mother in the popular sitcom 'The Office,' appearing in seasons six and seven. She described the experience of joining the show later in its run as initially intimidating but found her colleagues to be welcoming, noting a similar atmosphere to the 'Happy Days' set.
Born in Connecticut in 1955, Purl's family had deep roots in entertainment. Her paternal grandparents were vaudeville performers, and her grandmother was a founder of the Actors Equity union. Purl spent much of her childhood in Japan, where her father worked in the chemical industry. Her early acting career began there, where she was the sole foreign student at the Toho Entertainment Academy and performed at the Imperial Japanese Theatre.
Returning to the United States at 15, Purl's first major film role was in Jonathan Demme's 1975 film 'Crazy Mama.' She also featured in guest roles on numerous television series, including 'The Waltons' and 'Hawaii Five-O,' and appeared in the film 'Visiting Hours' alongside William Shatner.
Purl has spoken about receiving 'hate mail' from some fans of 'Happy Days' who were intensely devoted to the character of Fonzie. She also recalled a close bond with child actress Heather O'Rourke, who played her daughter in 'Happy Days' and tragically died at age 12.
Her personal life has included four marriages. Her first husband was Desi Arnaz Jr., son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. She was later married to screenwriter William Broyles Jr., television writer Alexander Cary, with whom she has a son, and James Vinson Adams. In recent years, Purl has found a lasting relationship with actor Patrick Duffy, with whom she has been romantically involved since 2020. They reconnected during the COVID-19 pandemic and have been together since.
