Patricia Richardson

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 short-lived 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". In-between legit acting jobs, Richardson appeared in numerous commercials. She landed her best feature role (to date) as a nurse who is attracted to beekeeper Peter Fonda in the indie "Ulee's Gold" (1997).