Patricia Richardson Picture 8

Biography

Pert and perky but still a "take charge" kind of gal, Richardson may best embody the ideal TV sitcom Mom for the 90s as co-star of the top-rated "Home Improvement" (ABC, 1991-99). She holds down a job, raises kids, and tolerates the testosterone-fueled notions and gadgets wielded by macho hubby Tim Allen. No stranger to episodic TV, Richardson had recurring roles in two shortlived series "Double Trouble" (1984) and "Eisenhower and Lutz" (1988), and then a two season run in "FM" (1989), playing a spunky radio talk show host. Like many future sitcom divas, Richardson's career began in legitimate theater. In her very first NYC audition, she won a job as understudy for the title role in the Angela Lansbury starrer "Gypsy". Richardson went on to do the national tour and filled in for some of the chorus roles. After several appearances off-Broadway, her Broadway break came when she originated a role in Michael Weller's "Loose Ends". Richardson next starred in "The Wake of Jimmy Foster", penned by her old college classmate Beth Henley. Infamously finicky NEW YORK magazine theater critic John Simon lauded her as "one of the ten best performers of 1985" for her work in the Broadway production "Cruise Control". While her film career took a backseat to theater and television, Richardson had her best role (to date) as a nurse who becomes romantically entangled with a beekeeper (Peter Fonda) in the indie "Ulee's Gold" (1997). Richardson was formerly married to actor Ray Baker

Filmography

"Strong Medicine" (2000) TV Series .... Dr. Andi Campbell (2002-)
"Blonde" (2001) (mini) TV Series .... Gladys Baker
Viva Las Nowhere (2000) .... Helen/Wanda
... aka Dead Simple (2001) (USA: video title)

51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, The (1999) (TV) .... Jill Taylor
Ulee's Gold (1997) .... Connie Hope
Undue Influence (1996) (TV) .... Laurel Vega
... aka Steve Martini's Undue Influence (1996) (TV) (USA)
Sophie and the Moonhanger (1996) (TV) .... Bonnie Edgerton
"Home Improvement" (1991) TV Series .... Jill Taylor

In Country (1989) .... Cindy
"FM" (1989) TV Series .... Lee-Ann Plunkett
Lost Angels (1989) .... Mrs. Anderson
Parent Trap III (1989) (TV) .... Cassie McGuire
"Eisenhower & Lutz" (1988) TV Series .... Kay 'K.K.' Dunne
Hands of a Stranger (1987) (TV) .... Helen
Yuri Nosenko, KGB (1986) (TV) (as Pat Richardson) .... Joan Black
C.H.U.D. (1984) .... Ad Woman
"Double Trouble" (1984) TV Series .... Beth McConnell (1984)
You Better Watch Out (1980) (as Patty Richardson) .... Moss's mother
... aka Christmas Evil (1980)
... aka Terror in Toyland (1980)