Alison La Placa (born December 16, 1959)[1] is an American actress best known for playing Linda Phillips on the sitcom Duet and its spin-offOpen House, and the recurring role of Joanna, Rachel Green’s boss who dated Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends.
Shortly after moving to Hollywood, La Placa landed the role of Elyse in the sitcom version of Barry Levinson's dramedy movie Diner (1982).[5][6] That pilot did not get picked up, and soon thereafter La Placa got a role in the made-for-TV movie Listen to Your Heart (1983).[7]
Later career
The following year, La Placa earned a regular spot on the short-lived sitcom Suzanne Pleshette Is Maggie Briggs (1984).[7] She had a small role in the movie Fletch (1985),[8] and subsequently played the starring role of Linda Phillips on the sitcoms Duet (from 1987 to 1989) and Open House (from 1989 to 1990).[9] La Placa played opposite Kirstie Alley in the comedy movie Madhouse (1990), with co-star John Larroquette.[10]
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.[citation needed] She also guest starred in the CBS sitcom Mom.
Personal life
She has been married to television actor/director Philip Charles MacKenzie (her co-star on Open House) since 1992.[14]
Episode: "Forged Resumes and the Recommended Dosage" (credited as Alison LaPlaca)
References
^Last, Eugenia (December 16, 2005). "Horoscope: Celebrities Born on This Day". Daily Record. p. E3. ProQuest2373140832. Hallee Hirsh, 18; Michael McCrary, 34; Sam Robards, 44; Alison La Placa, 46. See also:
Hart, Steven (December 16, 1997). "Tuesday People: Today's Birthdays". Home News Tribune. p. A2. ProQuest2273417277. Actress Alison LaPlaca is 38. Actor Benjamin Bratt is 34. Rhythm and Blues singer Michael McCrary (Boyz II Men) is 26.
^Post, Douglas (September 2009). "From Across the Country: National Reports: Chicago". The Dramatist. p. 61. ProQuest2411495. Synopsis: The Marriot Theatre in Lincolnshire, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) is highlighted.
^Barbato, Joan (April 15, 1984). "'Maggie Briggs' TV Series Break for Former Parsippany Resident". Daily Record. p. E12. ProQuest2372217743. I'd moved to Chicago by then, and realized eventually I'd have to go out to Hollywood, but that's such an incredible move. My agent felt there were some things I had to accomplish first, but before I knew it, she was saying, 'Let's go to L.A.' She took some friends she was also representing and me out to Los Angeles for six weeks for the pilot-season auditions. I went out with two suitcases, not even knowing where I was staying, an on March 16 last year, the day I was supposed to be going back, got a pilot for 'The Diner,' a TV series based on the movie.
^John A., Willis (1986). Screen World, Volume 37. Crown Publishers. p. 118. ISBN9780517562574.
^Lowe, Denise (1999). Women and American Television: An Encyclopedia. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 249. ISBN9780874369700. Open House (1989-1990): This series took the female leads of the romantic sitcom Duet (1987-1989) and placed them on their own, reversing their starring positions. Linda (Alison La Placa), whose husband, Richard (Chris Lemmon)...