Age: 71
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, U.S.
Lynda Goodfriend (born October 31, 1953) is an American actress who is best remembered as Lori Beth Cunningham (née Allen), Richie's girlfriend then wife on the TV sitcom, Happy Days. Prior to that, she played Ethel "Sunshine" Akalino on the short-lived series Blansky's Beauties. After that show left the air, she and co-star, Scott Baio (who had played Anthony DeLuca, Nancy Walker's nephew), joined Happy Days.
Goodfriend originally played a guest role in the fourth season of Happy Days as Kim in Time Capsule and Graduation (Part 1), before returning to the show as Lori Beth in season five.
Goodfriend went on to play several parts in notable Garry Marshall films, playing a tourist in Pretty Woman, as well as cameo and guest star roles in Exit to Eden, Nothing in Common and Beaches. During the mid to late 1980s, Goodfriend appeared in several independent projects, including An All Consuming Passion, a film written and directed by Kathryn Nesmith (producer of 1981's Elephant Parts and wife of Michael Nesmith of the group, The Monkees). Goodfriend directed the teleplay pilot Four Stars that was financed by Garry Marshall and starred veteran actor Bert Kramer and actress Julie Paris. More recently, she directed the short film, The Perfect Crime.
She is currently a talent manager and is responsible for the career trajectory of teen sensations, Aly & AJ, who are now known as the pop rock band 78violet.
Goodfriend also holds a BFA from Southern Methodist University and is the acting chair at the New York Film Academy.
She married Giora Litwak in 1982.
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
1984 | An All Consuming Passion | Susan | AFI: Women in Film |
1986 | Four Stars | Lynn | Lee Strasberg Center |
1986 | Nothing in Common | Louise Pelham | |
1988 | Beaches | Mrs. Myandowski | |
1990 | Pretty Woman | Tourist Woman | |
1994 | Exit to Eden | Linda | |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1977 | Blansky's Beauties | Ethel "Sunshine" Akalino | 6 episodes |
1977-1984 | Happy Days | Lori Beth Allen Cunningham | 79 episodes |
1978-1979 | Who's Watching the Kids? | Angie Vitola | 11 episodes |
1981, 1983 | The Love Boat | Pam Madison Cora Winnaker |
2 episodes |
1982 | Fantasy Island | Kristy Lee | Episode: Dancing Lady/The Final Round |