Wendy Schaal (born July 2, 1954)[1] is an American actress known for her work in Joe Dante films such as Innerspace, The 'Burbs and Small Soldiers. Her other film credits include starring in films such as Where the Boys Are '84, Creature, Going Under and Munchies. She had many guest roles in television series of the mid-1980s, most notably as Marilyn Kelsy in Airwolf. Since 2005 she has primarily worked in voice acting, most notably voicing Francine Smith in the animated comedy television series American Dad!

Wendy Schaal
Schaal at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1954-07-02) July 2, 1954 (age 70)
Alma materLos Angeles City College (AA)
OccupationActress
Years active1976–present
Known forInnerspace
The 'Burbs
Small Soldiers
American Dad!
Spouse
Stephen M. Schwartz
(m. 1977; div. 1987)
Children1
FatherRichard Schaal

Early years

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Schaal was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Lois Schaal (née McCullough) and actor Richard Schaal.[1] Schaal's father was married to actress Valerie Harper from 1964 to 1978, during which time Harper was her stepmother.[2] From birth until she was five, Schaal lived with her parents in Crete, Illinois, at which time she moved with her mother to Newport Beach, California after her parents divorced.[3] Schaal studied acting with Viola Spolin in Chicago when she was nine years old, later moving to Wisconsin and then California when she was 11. When she was 14, a trip to New York to be with her father and Harper soon led her to California again when her father and stepmother chose to settle in Hollywood.[4]

Schaal earned an Associate of Arts degree from Los Angeles City College,[3] acting and working in set construction. After she attended an acting workshop led by her father, she began to work on television.[4]

Career

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Wendy Schaal speaking at the 2016 WonderCon Los Angeles for American Dad!, at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Schaal's early work on television included roles on Fish, Little House on the Prairie, Phyllis, Rhoda, and Welcome Back, Kotter. In 1981, Schaal joined the cast of the ABC-TV series Fantasy Island, portraying Julie, the niece of the program's central character, Mr. Roarke.[4] Her other roles on TV included Bonnie Hornback in AfterMASH,[5] Debbie Pepper in Good Grief,[5]: 404  Vickie Allen in It's a Living,[5]: 515  and Liz Dooley in Nearly Departed.[5]: 747  She also provides the voice of Francine Smith in the cartoon series American Dad![5]: 36 

Personal life

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Schaal was married to Stephen M. Schwartz on September 4, 1977, but divorced in October 1987. They have one son.[1]

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
1976 Bound for Glory Mary Jo Guthrie
1978 Record City Lorraine
1984 Where the Boys Are '84 Sandra Roxbury
1985 Creature Beth Sladen
1987 Munchies Marge Mavalle
1987 Innerspace Wendy
1987 Batteries Not Included Pamela
1989 The 'Burbs Bonnie Rumsfield
1991 Going Under Jan Michaels
1994 My Girl 2 Emily Pommeroy
1995 Out There Paige
1998 Small Soldiers Marion Fimple
2001 Holiday in the Sun Jill
2005 Inside the CIA Francine Smith (voice) Short film
2006 Loving Annabelle Senator Tillman
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1976 Welcome Back, Kotter Girl in Hallway Episode: "Sadie Hawkins Day"
1976 Rhoda Jan Recurring role (2 episodes)
1977 Fish Peggy Dunnagan Episode: "Fish's Job"
1979 Family Sarah Episode: "Malicious Mischief"
1979 Little House on the Prairie Christie Norton Episode: "Annabelle"
1980–1981 It's a Living Vicki Allen Main cast (13 episodes)
1981–1982 Fantasy Island Julie Main cast (19 episodes)
1982 Strike Force Mandy Episode: "Chinatown"
1982 Happy Days Lorraine Episode: "Since I Don't Have You"
1982–83 The Love Boat Elaine Hamilton / Milicent Finley S6 E7/
1983 AfterMASH Bonnie Hornback Recurring role (5 episodes)
1984 Fatal Vision Colette MacDonald Miniseries
1984 Cover Up Rebecca Episode: "Midnight Highway"
1985 Knight Rider Jamie Downs Episode: "The Nineteenth Hole"
1985 Finder of Lost Loves Emma Tate Episode: "Connections"
1985 The A-Team Karen Episode: "Lease with an Option to Die"
1986 MacGyver Karen Blake Episode: "Deathlock"
1986 Airwolf Marilyn Kelsy Episode: "Hawke's Run"
1986 Amazing Stories Sheena Episode: "Boo!"
1987 Gung Ho Kelly Episode: "Love Me Tender"
1987 Duet Electra Episode: "Satin Doll"
1987 My Two Dads Christine Episode: "Sex, Judge, and Rock & Roll"
1988 Full House Vivian Episode: "Sisterly Love"
1988 Night Court Diane Episode: "Harry and the Tramp"
1989 Nearly Departed Liz Dooley Main cast (6 episodes)
1989 Dear John Lisa Episode: "Sisters"
1990–1991 Good Grief Debbie Lapidus Main cast (13 episodes)
1992 Northern Exposure Tammy Tambo Episode: "My Mother, My Sister"
1993 Red Shoe Diaries 'Lilac' Boss Episode: "Hotline"
1994 Runaway Daughters Mrs. Mildred Cahn Television film
1995 Murder, She Wrote Zuleika Brown Episodes: "Nan's Ghost: Parts 1 & 2"
1995 Hope and Gloria Nurse Nancy Episode: "Money You Should Mention"
1995 The John Larroquette Show Brenda Episode: "An Odd Cup of Tea"
1997 Friends Jeannine Episode: "The One with All the Jealousy" (as 'Wendy Schall')
1997 Star Trek: Voyager Charlene Episode: "Real Life"
1997 Fired Up Susan Episode: "Are We Not Friends?"
1998 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Mom Episode: "The Woods"
2000 The X-Files Martha Crittendon Episode: "Chimera"
2001 Boston Public Mrs. Callie Webb Episode: "Chapter 15"
2001 The Huntress Helena Barsamian Episode: "Undercover"
2001 Six Feet Under Vicki Dimas Recurring role (3 episodes)
2002 Providence Nancy Neiman Episode: "Limbo"
2002 Boomtown Darlene Beechem Episode: "The Freak"
2005–present American Dad! Francine Smith (voice) Main cast
2013; 2017; 2018 Family Guy Francine Smith (voice)
Various
Episodes: "Bigfat", "The Peter Principal", "Con Heiress"
Video Games
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff Francine Smith (voice)
2022 Warped Kart Racers Francine Smith (voice) Archived recordings

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Schaal, Wendy 1954–". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage.
  2. ^ Gardella, Kay (April 11, 1986). "Harper Believes Family Comedy Mainstay of TV". Toledo Blade. Retrieved March 9, 2015. Though she has no children of her own, Harper reared her stepdaughter, Wendy Schaal, who is now an actress
  3. ^ a b "Identifies with role". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, AL. December 21, 1980. p. 127. Retrieved January 8, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c Downey, Mike (September 30, 1981). "Wendy Schaal: The New 'Tattoo'". Madison Capital Times. Madison, WI. Chicago Sun-Times News Service. p. 59. Retrieved December 14, 2020 – via Newspaperarchive.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
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