KERNS, Joanna 1953–

(Joanna DeVarona, Joanne DeVarona)

PERSONAL

Original name, Joanna Crussie DeVarona; born February 12, 1953, in San Francisco, CA; daughter of David Thomas (an insurance agent) and Martha Louise (a clothing store manager; maiden name, Smith) DeVarona; sister of Donna DeVarona (an Olympic athlete and sportscaster); married Richard Martin Kerns (a director and producer), December 11, 1976 (divorced, December, 1986); married Marc Francis Appleton (an architect), 1995; children: (first marriage) Ashley Cooper. Education: Attended University of California, Los Angeles, 1970–71; studied acting with Lee Stras-berg, Peggy Feury, Jeff Corey, and David Craig. Politics: Democrat.

Addresses:

Agent—Sean Freidin, Broder, Webb, Chervin, Silbermann Agency, 9242 Beverly Blvd., Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Manager—Susan B. Landau, Thompson Street Entertainment, 754 North Kilkea Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90046. Publicist—Jim Broutman, Broutman Public Relations, 8225 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046.

Career:

Actress, producer, director, and writer. Appeared in "The More You Know," a series of public service announcements broadcast on NBC. Worked as a dancer at Disneyland; also a competitive gymnast.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

Pat Devon, The Four Seasons, CBS, 1984.

Margaret Katherine "Maggie" Malone Seaver, Growing Pains, ABC, 1985–92.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Marjorie Donovan, V (also known as V: The Original Mini Series), NBC, 1983.

Dr. Clare Winslow, The Big One: The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (also known as The Great Los Angeles Earthquake), NBC, 1990.

Maria Marshall, Blind Faith (also known as The Toms River Case), NBC, 1990.

Television Appearances; Movies:

(As Joanna DeVarona) Jessie, The Million Dollar Rip–Off, 1976.

Meg, Marriage Is Alive and Well, NBC, 1980.

Doris Marshall, A Day of Thanks on Walton's Mountain, NBC, 1982.

Doris Marshall, Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain, NBC, 1982.

Doris Marshall, A Wedding on Walton's Mountain, NBC, 1982.

Pamela Saletta, The Return of Marcus Welby, M.D., ABC, 1984.

Andrea, A Bunny's Tale, ABC, 1985.

Anita Parrish, The Rape of Richard Beck (also known as The Broken Badge and Violated), ABC, 1985.

Lana Singer, Stormin' Home, CBS, 1985.

Stephanie Blume, Mistress, CBS, 1987.

Diane Pappas, Those She Left Behind, NBC, 1989.

Linda Fairstein, The Preppie Murder, ABC, 1989.

Kathy Plunk, Captive (also known Season of Fear), ABC, 1991.

Sally Raynor, Deadly Intentions … Again?, ABC, 1991.

Eve Rhodes, The Nightman (also known as The Watchman), NBC, 1992.

Mary Ellen "Mel" Robbins, Desperate Choices: To Save My Child (also known as The Final Choice and Solomon's Choice), NBC, 1992.

Katy, The Man with Three Wives, CBS, 1993.

Maryanne Walker–Tate, Shameful Secrets (also known as Going Underground), ABC, 1993.

Veronica Ricci, Not in My Family (also known as Breaking the Silence and Shattering the Silence), ABC, 1993.

Dr. Jennifer Kessler, Robin Cook's "Mortal Fear" (also known as Mortal Fear), NBC, 1994.

Jane Ravenson, See Jane Run, ABC, 1995.

Laura Eagerton, Whose Daughter Is She? (also known as For the Love of My Daughter, Moms, and Semi–Precious), CBS, 1995.

Cynthia Martin, Terror in the Family, Fox, 1996.

Jessica Rayner, No One Could Protect Her, ABC, 1996.

Celeste Cooper, Mother Knows Best, ABC, 1997.

Gail Connelly Metzger, Sisters and Other Strangers (also known as Suspicion of Innocence), CBS, 1997.

Emma Bridges, Emma's Wish, CBS, 1998.

Elizabeth Cooper, At the Mercy of a Stranger, CBS, 1999.

Margaret "Maggie" Katherine Malone Seaver, "The Growing Pains Movie," The Wonderful World of Disney, ABC, 2000.

Matt's mother, Someone to Love, 2001.

Margaret "Maggie" Seaver, "Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers" (also known as "Growing Pains II: Home Equity"), The Wonderful World of Disney, ABC, 2004.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Are You a Missing Heir?, ABC, 1978.

Lifetime Salutes Mom, Lifetime, 1987.

Host, The National Love and Sex Test, ABC, 1988.

Host, Second Annual Star–Spangled Celebration, ABC, 1988.

Like Mother, Like Daughter, Lifetime, 1988.

Host, Sea World's Miracle Babies and Friends (also known as The Miracle Babies of Sea World), ABC, 1989.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade, syndicated, 1989.

Walt Disney World's Very Merry Christmas Parade 1989, 1989.

Starathon '90, syndicated, 1990.

The Tube Test, ABC, 1990.

Host, Fantasies, ABC, 1991.

Host, Starathon '91, syndicated, 1991.

Herself, Welcome Home, America!—A USO Salute to America's Sons and Daughters, ABC, 1991.

Voices That Care, Fox, 1991.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

The 15th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1989.

The 16th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1990.

The Television Academy Hall of Fame (also known as The Sixth Annual Television Academy Hall of Fame), Fox, 1990.

Presenter, The 53rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, NBC, 1996.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

(As Joanna DeVarona) Joy, "Gillian," Starsky and Hutch, ABC, 1976.

"Officer Luca, You're Dead," S.W.A.T., ABC, 1976.

Beth, "Romance Roulette," The Love Boat, ABC, 1977.

Customer, "Love for Sale," Rhoda, CBS, 1977.

Lily, "Touch of Death," Quincy (also known as Quincy, M.E.), NBC, 1977.

Natalie Sands, "The Blue Angels," Charlie's Angels, ABC, 1977.

(As Joanne DeVarona) "Firehouse Quintet," Emergency!, NBC, 1977.

"Playoff," Switch, CBS, 1978.

Bobby Trilling, "The Love Lesson," Three's Company, ABC, 1980.

Colleen, "Dead Man's Riddle," CHiPs, NBC, 1981.

"Difficult Lesson," Fitz and Bones, NBC, 1981.

Mary Kanfer, "The Last Page," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1982.

Woman, "The Fashion Show," Laverne & Shirley, ABC, 1982.

"Spring Is in the Air," Star of the Family, ABC, 1982.

Cassie, "Fatal Error," Whiz Kids, CBS, 1983.

Cheryl, "Jack Be Quick," Three's Company, ABC, 1983.

Jenny "Jen" Hunter, "Two Birds of a Feather," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1983.

Trish Brenner, "A Nice Place to Visit," The A Team, NBC, 1983.

Ryan's 4, ABC, 1983.

State liquor agent, "Hair Apparent," Hill Street Blues, NBC, 1984.

Mona Williams, "Hot Target," Street Hawk, ABC, 1985.

Regis Philbin's "Lifestyles" (also known as The Regis Philbin Show), Lifetime, 1987.

Cheryl Blaste, "Blaste from the Past," Hooperman, ABC, 1988.

"Love Struck," Short Stories, Arts and Entertainment, 1988.

Animal Crack–Ups, ABC, 1988.

Guest, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1990.

Christine, "Enter Christine," The Mommies, NBC, 1995.

Herself, "The Face with Two Men," Hope and Gloria, NBC, 1995.

Voice, "Bobut Conquers All," Aliens in the Family, ABC, 1996.

Claire McLaren, "The Closure," The Closer, CBS, 1998.

Stephanie Serone, "Broken Hearts," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1998.

Stephanie Serone, "Physician, Heal Thyself," Chicago Hope, CBS, 1998.

Herself, Intimate Portrait: Victoria Principal, Lifetime, 1998.

"Touched by an Angel," Beggars and Choosers, Showtime, 1999.

Herself, Intimate Portrait: Joanna Kerns, Lifetime, 2000.

Herself, Intimate Portrait: Katey Sagal, Lifetime, 2000.

Herself, Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 2000.

Herself, "Tracey Gold," Biography (also known as A&E Biography: Tracey Gold), Arts and Entertainment, 2001.

Herself, Growing Pains: The E! True Hollywood Story, E! Entertainment Television, 2001.

Herself, I Am My Mother's Daughter, Lifetime, 2001.

Kathryn Cahill, "Money Changes Everything," The Education of Max Bickford, CBS, 2002.

Judy, "Claude's Alternative Thanksgiving," Less Than Perfect, ABC, 2003.

Guest, The Wayne Brady Show, syndicated, 2003.

Herself, Intimate Portrait: Tracey Gold, Lifetime, 2003.

Judy, "Mom's the Word," Less Than Perfect, ABC, 2004.

Guest, The Tony Danza Show, syndicated, 2004.

Appeared in episodes of Dr. Vegas, CBS; and One Tree Hill, The WB.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Dr. Kettering, Hunter, NBC, 1984.

Carrie, Morning Glory, S.C., CBS, 1996.

Claire McLaren, The Closer, CBS, 1998.

I Love You—The Three Worst Words You'll Ever Hear, 1999.

Television Work; Movies:

Co–executive producer, The Nightman (also known as The Watchman), NBC, 1992.

Director, Defending Our Kids: The Julie Posey Story, Lifetime, 2003.

Director, "Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers" (also known as "Growing Pains II: Home Equity"), The Wonderful World of Disney, ABC, 2004.

Television Director; Episodic:

"The Truck Stops Here," Growing Pains, ABC, 1992.

"The Dupree Family Christmas," Hope and Gloria, NBC, 1995.

"The New Actor," Remember WENN, American Movie Classics, 1997.

"Trick or Treat," Clueless, UPN, 1997.

"Affairs to Remember," The Love Boat: The Next Wave, UPN, 1998.

"Life Is a Beach," Clueless, UPN, 1998.

"Poetry in Notion," Suddenly Susan, NBC, 1998.

"Pratfall," Remember WENN, American Movie Classics, 1998.

"Such Sweet Dreams," The Love Boat: The Next Wave, UPN, 1999.

"Troubled Water," Ally McBeal, Fox, 1999.

"Disinformed Sources," Beggars and Choosers, Showtime, 2000.

"Payback's a Bitch," Titans, NBC, 2000.

"Three Lucky Ladies on the Line," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2000.

"Where's the Justice in That?," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2000.

"You Think I Am Lying to You?," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2000.

"Chapter Fourteen," Boston Public, Fox, 2001.

"Fire," Felicity, The WB, 2001.

"The Obstacle Course," Ally McBeal, Fox, 2001.

"The Right Thing to Do," Judging Amy, CBS, 2001.

"Something Battered, Something Blue," That's Life, CBS, 2001.

"Call Him Macaroni," Any Day Now, Lifetime, 2002.

"Carmic Behavior," Leap of Faith, NBC, 2002.

"Come Blow Your Whistle," For the People (also known as Para la gente), Lifetime, 2002.

"Felicity Interrupted," Felicity, The WB, 2002.

"The Importance of Not Being Too Earnest," Dawson's Creek, The WB, 2002.

"Stages," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2002.

"Addicted to Love," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2003.

"Power Play," For the People (also known as Para la gente), Lifetime, 2003.

"Skin," Strong Medicine, Lifetime, 2003.

"Substitute Teacher," The O'Keefes, The WB, 2003.

"My Common Enemy," Scrubs, NBC, 2004.

"Rush for the Door," The Division (also known as Heart of the City), Lifetime, 2004.

"Tanner," Phil of the Future, The Disney Channel, 2004.

"Trade Talks," Clubhouse, CBS, 2004.

"Romancing the Joan," Joan of Arcadia, CBS, 2005.

Directed episodes of The Mommies, NBC.

Film Appearances:

(As Joanna DeVarona) Marilyn Baker, A*P*E (also known as Ape, Attack of the Giant Horny Gorilla, Hideous Mutant, The New King Kong, Super Kong, and King Kongui daeyeokseub), New World, 1976.

Diana, Coma, United Artists, 1978.

Nancy, Cross My Heart, Universal, 1987.

(Uncredited) Herself, She's Having a Baby, Paramount, 1988.

Katharine Watson, Street Justice, Lorimar, 1989.

Aunt Sunny, An American Summer, Castle Hill Productions, 1991.

Carol Cochran, No Dessert Dad, Till You Mow the Lawn, New Horizons Picture Corporation, 1994.

Annette Kaysen, Girl, Interrupted (also known as Durchgeknallt and Durchgeknallt—Girl, Interrupted), Columbia, 1999.

Lydia, All over the Guy, Lions Gate Films, 2001.

Stage Appearances:

(As Joanna DeVarona) Zoe, blushing bride, nymph, pygmy, and Yew, Ulysses in Nighttown, Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1974.

As Joanna DeVarona, appeared as a dancer in Clown Around.

Stage Work:

Director, What Every Woman Knows, West Coast Ensemble Theatre, Los Angeles, 1989.

Major Tours:

(As Joanna DeVarona) Two Gentlemen of Verona (musical), New York Shakespeare Festival, U.S. and Canadian cities, 1973.

Also toured in a production of My Fair Lady (musical).

RECORDINGS

Music Videos:

"Voices That Care," 1991.

WRITINGS

Teleplays; Episodic:

(With Becky Ayers) "Family Ties," Growing Pains, ABC, 1988.

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," Growing Pains, ABC, 1989.

Screenplays:

Author of the unproduced screenplay Freestyle.

OTHER SOURCES

Periodicals:

InStyle, May, 1998, p. 258.

People Weekly, June 26, 2000, p. 137.