Alison LaPlaca

Alison La Placa (born December 16, 1959) is an American retired actress best known for playing Linda Phillips on the sitcom Duet and its spin-off Open House, playing Catherine Merrick in 49 episodes of The John Larroquette Show and the recurring role of Joanna, Rachel Green's boss who dated Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends. Her last credit was in 2014.

Biography Early life and career Born in Lincolnshire, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, La Placa is a graduate of Stevenson High School.

Shortly after moving to Hollywood, La Placa landed the role of Elyse in the sitcom version of Barry Levinson's dramedy film Diner (1982). That pilot did not get picked up, and soon thereafter La Placa got a role in the made-for-TV film Listen to Your Heart (1983).

Later career The following year, La Placa earned a regular spot on the short-lived sitcom Suzanne Pleshette Is Maggie Briggs (1984). and subsequently played the starring role of Linda Phillips on the sitcoms Duet (from 1987 to 1989) and Open House (from 1989 to 1990). La Placa played opposite Kirstie Alley in the comedy movie Madhouse (1990), with co-star John Larroquette.

La Placa has guest-starred on series including Family Ties, Cheers, ER and Desperate Housewives. She was a regular on Stat (1991), The Jackie Thomas Show (1992), Tom (1994), and the NBC sitcom The John Larroquette Show (from 1994 to 1996).

La Placa guest-starred on animated series such as Batman: The Animated Series and Johnny Bravo. She played the character Andrea in the television series Boston Legal in two episodes in season 4 ("Glow in the Dark" and "Rescue Me"). She appeared in Malcolm in the Middle as Barbara in the episode "Convention" and in a recurring role in 'Til Death as Beth, Joy's co-worker. She guest-starred in the CBS sitcom Mom.

Personal life LaPlaca has been married to television actor/director Philip Charles MacKenzie (her co-star on Open House) since 1992.

Filmography Film

Television