RAPID FIRE: 20 Q with Linda Purl--from 'Happy Days' to Michael Scott's latest 'Office' romance

Linda Purl and Steve Carell in The Office/NBC

When I learned that Linda Purl was joining NBC's Thursday night comedy, The Office, I immediately contacted her to see if she'd be willing to do an interview. When she graciously agreed to participate in a round of RAPID FIRE: 20 Q, I did a bit of research to back up what I already knew about her extensive career and stumbled upon a post on Entertainment Weekly's website in which Michael Ausiello--who looks to be about twelve judging from his blog photo--blogged about Linda being cast as Pam's mom, a role previously played in a solitary Season Two appearance by Shannon Cochran. In his report, Ausiello dismisses Purl's lengthy career by saying "the plum part went to Linda Purl, a relatively unknown actress whose biggest claim to fame was playing Andy Griffith's daughter on Matlock."

Really? I'm guessing Ausiello didn't bother to do research beyond wikipedia or he would have discovered Linda's been a staple of television who, unlike many others who've come and gone, has continued to be a lasting presence on TV and in the minds of fans for some 4 decades!

Admittedly I am a complete TV geek. That said, growing up, Linda Purl was a fixture of my childhood, not because I knew her back then or anything, but because as a young actress in the 70s, she was everywhere. With an acting career that began when she was a child, in movies like Time Travelers, One Soldier's Gamble and Jory, Linda soon transitioned into TV becoming the go-to actress when casting called for a pretty young girl with a sweet face and voice to match. From an early role in the daytime drama, The Secret Storm to guest appearances on everything from Hawaii Five-O and Medical Center to The Waltons and yes, even an appearance on The Love Boat, Linda's star rose higher and higher with each role.

While her numerous appearances on TV garnered Linda a modicum of notoriety, it was her recurring role as Ashley Pfister, the sweet, but no-nonsense girlfriend of the eternally cool and eternally single Arthur Fonzie Fonzarelli on Season Ten of Happy Days that secured her lasting impression in the hearts of fans worldwide. In addition to series television, Purl also made quite a name for herself appearing in dozens of Made For TV Movies and Miniseries. Among them: Like Normal People, Testimony of Two Men, The Night The City Screamed, The Manions of America, The Last Days of Pompeii and more. Working steadily throughout the 70s and 80s, Purl is, as Ausiello mentioned, also known for starring opposite Andy Griffith's genteel southern lawyer/turned clever crime-solver, Matlock. She played his daughter, Charlene during the show's first season. Over the years, Happy Days and Matlock weren't Purl's only recurring series roles. She also lead the cast of 1994's Robin's Hoods, a syndicated series produced by uber-producer, Aaron Spelling, returned to daytime TV in 1997 with the recurring role of Claire Wright on the General Hospital spinoff, Port Charles and co-starred alongsideJoe Mantegna in the 2002 courtroom drama, First Monday.

In addition to her work on TV, Linda has peppered her career with occasional movie roles. She appeared briefly as Charlize Theron's mother in Disney's update of the ape in captivity film, MIghty Joe Young. Purl showed no signs of stopping, as she spent most of the 90s and the last decade continuing to appear regularly on the small screen. In the recent past, she's guested in more modern fare like Touched By an Angel, Crossing Jordan, Cold Case and Bones. Now that you know substantially more about Linda than Entertainment Weekly's wet-behind-the-ears blogger, on with the questions.

Rapid FIRE: 20 Q with Linda Purl

JONATHAN PINKERTON: OK, so two weeks ago while watching the much-promo'd wedding episode of The Office, I was thrilled to finally see you as Helene Beasley. How did your audition for the role come about?

LINDA PURL: I was invited to come in to meet with the producers and some of the writers. They gave me a beautiful speech to read which ended up not being shot as a part of the episode but ultimately it gave me an insight as to who they envisioned Helene to be.

JP: Prior to taking on the role of Pam's mom, were you a fan of the show?

LP:   With what little time my life as a soccer mom has allowed me to watch, you bet. I have always been taken by the caliber of work on the show by everyone and the true to life quality it captures.

JP:  By the end of that first episode, it seemed obvious to regular viewers that Michael (Steve Carell) had designs on your character, which he confirms in tonight's episode. Did they discuss the full story arc with you from the beginning?
LP:  They did not. I’m as curious as anyone to see how it evolves.

Linda Purl, Henry Winkler & Heather O'Roarke

JP: Fans of the show might remember another actress having appeared in Season 2 as Pam's mom. You yourself have had a couple of similar experiences early on in your career. Astute TV-philes like myself will recall you appeared as two separate characters on The Waltons, first in a 1974 episode as Alicia and then a few years later as Vanessa. Around that same time, you appeared in Season 2 of Happy Days as Richie Cunningham's (Ron Howard) girlfriend, the bubble-gum chewing Gloria. You then went on to play another Happy Days character during Season 10 when you were cast in the role of Fonzie's only steady girlfriend--divorced mom, Ashley Pfister. Did Garry Marshall, the shows creator, seek you out for the role of Ashley because of your earlier appearance, or was it just another casting call?

LP:   You have a long memory. The casting notice on Happy Days called for a "Linda Purl type." I auditioned for the role along with about 500 others and was ever so grateful when I landed the part.

JP: What do you remember most about your Happy Days experience?
LP: That it was just that, happy days. Great company, long lasting friendships, an amazing show to have been a part of.

JP:   Your first professional acting jobs came while your family was living in Japan, correct?
LP:  Yes. I worked at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo.

JP: According to my research, you are the only foreigner to ever train at the Toho Geino Academy in Japan. Is that true? Can you tell me about that?
LP: Yes I am. The training was classically oriented. So we studied ballet, tap, jazz, voice and improve. I took it in stride as a kid and only as an adult looking back did I realize what a rare and special opportunity that was. I think that cross cultural experience has everything to do with my now running the California International Theatre Festival.

JP:   What was it like to work alongside Dale Robertson, Dina Merrill and Frank Sinatra, Jr. in the Japanese produced film Aru Heishi No Kake, known to American audiences as One Soldier's Gamble?
LP:   Wow, you have really done your homework. Dina has remained a lifelong friend, Frank, I have the pleasure of seeing now and then. The biggest wow factor on that was Toshiro on whom I had a huge crush.
JP: Side Note: Toshiro Mifune, of whom Linda speaks also starred in Aru Heishi No Kake. He later went on to star in the hugely popular miniseries Shogun.

JP: Did you ever meet Frank, Sr.?
LP: Only once in New York, what a thrill.

JP:   Back stateside, you made quite a name for yourself appearing in dozens of TV shows and movies of the week. What's your favorite project from that time in your career?
LP: My favorite was Like Normal People, a true story based on a heroic couple who happen to be mentally challenged.

JP: Like Normal People aired around the same time your fellow young actors Robby Benson, John Travolta and Glynnis O'Connor were starring in such melodramatic fare as The Boy In The Plastic Bubble and Ode To Billy Joe. You co-starred alongside teen heartthrob Shaun Cassidy in the 1979 Golden Globe nominated TV movie. Was it a difficult movie to make, or in those less politically-correct times and at your young age, did you and Shaun just try to not crack each other up during your serious scenes?

LP: We had the privilege of spending time with the real couple. Safe to say we were both awed by their love for one another and their remarkable courage that they both displayed. We just wanted to do them and their story justice.

JP: In addition to appearing on nearly every 70s TV series and made for TV movie, you've also appeared in two soap operas, first The Secret Storm as a teenager, and more recently the now-defunct Port Charles, a spin-off of General Hospital. What's more difficult primetime or daytime?

LP: Primetime without a doubt.

JP: Not only do you have the distinction of playing both girlfriend to both Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, years after your stint on Happy Days, you landed a recurring role on the mystery series Matlock, where you played Charlene, daughter to Howard's former on-screen dad, Andy Griffith. What's the scoop? IS he as nice as he seems?

LP: One of the most gifted actors I’ve ever known and a brilliant storyteller to boot.

JP: Side Note: Once again, my TV Geek kicks in....not unlike her recent gig as the second actress to play Pam's mom on The Office, back in her Matlock days, Linda took over the role of Charlene after another actress, Lori Lethin had played the role in the series' pilot movie.

JP: You also appeared in the TV miniseries, The Manions of America, created by Agnes Nixon, the Shakespeare of Soap Operas. Did you ever meet her?

LP: I fortunately got to know her fairly well. She was lovely.

JP: Agnes Nixon isn't the only mega-producer you've worked with. Back in the mid-90s, I remember a syndicated series called Robin's Hoods, produced by Aaron Spelling--the first and only syndicated series from Spelling from what I know. I loved it! It was a little crime drama mixed with a little soap, seemingly the best of both genres Spelling was known for, having produced, among others, Charlie's Angels and Melrose Place. Were you disappointed when it wasn't picked up for a second season?

LP: The moment we finished shooting that first season, I gave birth to my son, so my life was full enough without Robin’s Hoods. That said, I was so happy once again to have had the chance to work for Aaron who was a consummate gentleman and great producer.

Linda Purl in concert

JP: I asked you earlier about your favorite project you've been associated with was, now I wanna know, What's your worst?

LP: I can tell you what a worst moment on stage was, or at least most embarrassing. While in the middle of a quick change, the turntable erroneously began to spin counter clockwise exposing me in the altogether to an equally astonished audience. I dove for the wings only then to realize that my costume remained on the spinning turntable. I don’t remember anything about the rest of the performance that night.

JP: That on-stage mishap leads me to my next question. Like other well-rounded actors who've managed to thrive for more than 40 years. As you just mentioned, you've also appeared on the stage in numerous productions. What's been your favorite stage role?

LP: Blanche in A Street Car Named Desire.

JP: I'm about to review another 70s TV star, Melissa Gilbert when she comes through Nashville next week in the Broadway Touring Company of Little House On The Prairie: The Musical, where she now plays Ma. Just a few months ago, the touring company of Happy Days: The Musical came through town. I could totally see you in the role of Mrs. C., the role so brilliantly played on the small screen by Marion Ross. Would you consider doing that role if asked?

LP: Certainly, but for me there will always only be one Mrs. C.

JP: Kevin Bacon's got nothing on you. You've worked with so many people, I think I could go several rounds of Six Degrees of Linda Purl without missing a beat. Heck, you were even married to Desi Arnaz, Jr., which brings me to my next question. While you actually sang in one of those early Walton's episodes, over the past several years, you've really focused on your singing, having toured extensively and recorded and released 1998's Alone Together and more recently, a live concert CD titled Out Of This World (Live). You've apparently remained on good terms with Desi, and even performed with him at his theatre in Boulder CIty, Nevada. How much does it mean to you to be able to entertain an audience in such a personal way?

LP: As much as I enjoy film and television, my favorite medium is theatre, and/or a live concert. The best teacher in the world is an audience.

JP: Finally, one more for your new Office fans--Beyond tonight's revelation that Michael is dating your character and your upcoming November 5 episode in which Michael and Helene double-date with the newly married Jim and Pam--Will there be more visits from Pam's mom in the near future?

LP: There’s been some mention of it, I certainly hope so, who knows. With Pam having a baby maybe she’ll need her mom.

If you missed Linda's first appearance on the hour-long Niagra wedding episode of The Office, CLICK HERE to watch.

In the coming months, Linda has upcoming concert dates in San Francisco, NYC and Palm Desert, CA to name a few. For complete touring information, CLICK HERE.

To purchase Linda's CD Alone Together, CLICK HERE.

To purchase her more recent Out of This World (Live) CD, CLICK HERE.

For information on the annual California International Theatre Festival, taking place in July 2010, CLICK HERE.

Check out the clips below to see Linda over the years.

Linda sings on The Waltons