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Joanna Kerns Biography
Birth Name:
Joanne Crussie DeVarona
Birth Place:
San Fernando, California, United States
Profession
Actor, director
Fast Facts
- Tried out for the 1968 Olympic gymnastics team, placing 14th out of a field of 28
- After a knee injury sidelined her, she turned to dancing
- Dropped out of college to tour with the Broadway-bound production Clown Around, helmed by Gene Kelly
- Performed at Disneyland before receiving her big break in the touring company of John Guare's musical adaption of Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona (1973)
- Studied acting with Lee Strasberg, Peggy Feury, Jeff Corey and David Craig
- A success in TV commercials, Kerns once had 18 national spots running at the same time
- Seminal role was as frazzled journalist mom Maggie Seaver in the sitcom Growing Pains (1985-92)
- Continued acting after Growing Pains ended but shifted her focus to directing as well as developing, writing and producing TV-movies
- Co-founded the Lucy Awards, entertainment awards named in honor of Lucille Ball
Relationships
- David DeVarona -- Brother
- Kurt DeVarona -- Brother
- Ashley Cooper Kerns -- Daughter
- Richard Martin Kerns -- Ex-husband
- David DeVarona -- Father
- Marc Francis Appleton -- Husband
- Martha Louise DeVarona -- Mother