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Valerie Curtin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Valerie Curtin
Born
Occupation(s)Actress, screenwriter
Spouse
(m. 1975; div. 1982)
RelativesJane Curtin (cousin)

Valerie Curtin is an American actress and screenwriter.

Personal life

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Curtin was born in Jackson Heights, New York on March 31, 1945,[1] the daughter of radio actor Joseph Curtin. She attended Lake Erie College.[2]

She is a cousin of TV comedian/actress Jane Curtin.[3]

Career

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Curtin performed with comedy groups and acted in theatrical productions in New York before going to Los Angeles in 1971. There, she was a member of The Committee, a comedy group.[2]

Curtin began her writing career in the 1970s working on episodes of the television sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Curtin and her then-husband Barry Levinson were nominated for an Academy Award (in the category of Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) for ...And Justice for All (1979) starring Al Pacino. They also co-wrote the semi-autobiographical Best Friends (1982), which starred Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn.[citation needed]

Curtin's acting career has run concurrently with her writing career. During the 1970s, she made various guest appearances on television in shows such as Happy Days; Welcome Back, Kotter; Rhoda; The Rockford Files; and Barney Miller. In March 1976, ABC shot the pilot episode for Three's Company, in which Curtin appeared alongside John Ritter and Susanne Zenor. Curtin played a character named Jenny, who eventually became Janet Wood, played by Joyce DeWitt.

Her movie appearances include Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (her first movie appearance, 1974), All the President's Men, Silver Streak, and Silent Movie (all 1976), Why Would I Lie? (1980), as well as Maxie (1985) and John Cassavetes' final film, the 1986 comedy Big Trouble, plus a small, uncredited role in Best Friends.

In 1982, Curtin was given the role of Judy Bernly in the television sitcom 9 to 5 based on the 1980 movie of the same name. Her character was portrayed by Jane Fonda in the film version. Curtin was dropped from the show after two seasons, when James Komack came on as the new executive producer, replacing the team led by Jane Fonda. However, Curtin returned for a syndicated version of 9 to 5 (1986–1988), reprising her earlier role; the new version was successful. In the 1980s and 1990s, her writing credits included mainstream films such as Inside Moves (1980), the 1984 remake of Unfaithfully Yours, and Toys (1992).

Curtin has also guest-starred in shows such as Frasier, Party of Five, Becker, The District, Just Shoot Me, and ER.

Selected filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1974 Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore Vera
1976 All the President's Men Miss Milland
1976 Mother, Jugs & Speed Naomi Fishbine
1976 Silent Movie Intensive Care Nurse
1976 Silver Streak Plain Jane
1977 The Great Smokey Roadblock Mary Agnes
1978 Rabbit Test Pashima
1978 A Different Story Phyllis
1980 Why Would I Lie? Mrs. Bok
1982 Best Friends Paula's Friend in Playpen Uncredited,
also co-screenwriter
1985 Maxie Miss Sheffer
1986 Down and Out in Beverly Hills Pearl Waxman
1986 Big Trouble Arlene Hoffman

References

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  1. ^ Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel's Greasy Spoon; Putt Jr., Barry M.; ISBN 9781629334264; Published by BearManor Media, 2019
  2. ^ a b "TV Spotlight: Curtin acts and writes". Hattiesburg American. August 7, 1983. p. 82. Retrieved November 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Buck, Jerry (July 11, 1982). "Valerie Curtin not only acts but she writes, too". The Daily Breeze. Associated Press. p. 129. Retrieved November 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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