Lynda Goodfriend

Lynda Goodfriend
Alma materSouthern Methodist University
OccupationActress
Years active1975–present
Known forLori Beth Allen-Cunningham on Happy Days
SpouseGiora Litwak (m. 1982)

Lynda Goodfriend is an American actress who is best known for playing Lori Beth Cunningham (née Allen), Richie's girlfriend then wife on the TV sitcom Happy Days.

Early life and education

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Goodfriend graduated from Coral Gables High School in Coral Gables, Florida[1] and from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she received a degree in drama.[2]

Career

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Before Happy Days, Goodfriend played Ethel "Sunshine" Akalino on the short-lived series Blansky's Beauties.[3] After that show left the air, she and co-star Scott Baio joined Happy Days.[4] She 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.[citation needed]

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. Goodfriend directed the teleplay pilot Four Stars that was financed by Garry Marshall and starred veteran actor Bert Kramer and actress Julie Paris. Most recently, she directed the short film The Perfect Crime in 2009.

On Broadway, Goodfriend performed in Good News (1974).[5]

Personal life

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Goodfriend married Giora Litwak in 1982. She holds a BFA from Southern Methodist University and is the acting chair at the New York Film Academy.[6]

Filmography

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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/Kim 79 episodes (2 episodes as "Kim")
1978 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
1988 Rosie Sally Cartflight Episode: Jailbreakers

References

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  1. ^ Bowden, Robert (May 19, 1979). "Lynda Goodfriend climbs mountains -- and the TV success ladder". Tampa Bay Times. p. 50. Retrieved March 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Anderson, Jack E. (April 8, 1979). "TV stars hurt by overexposure". Tallahassee Democrat. Knight-Ridder News Service. p. TV Week 37. Retrieved March 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Leszczak, Bob (2 November 2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7864-6812-6. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  4. ^ Irvin, Richard. Spinning Laughter: Profiles of 111 Proposed Comedy Spin-offs and Sequels that Never Became a Series. BearManor Media. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  5. ^ "Lynda Goodfriend". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  6. ^ "New York Film Academy - Los Angeles - Acting Faculty". nyfa.edu. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
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