Wendie Jo Sperber
Encyclopedia
Wendie Jo Sperber was an American actress, best known for her performances in the films I Wanna Hold Your Hand
(1978), Bachelor Party (1984) and Back to the Future
(1985) as well as the television sitcom Bosom Buddies
(1980–1982).
, during the 1970s, and began her screen career at a young age when she was cast in the small role of "Kuchinsky," in Matthew Robbins
' 1978 teen comedy Corvette Summer
, alongside Mark Hamill
. She appeared in Robert Zemeckis
' period comedy I Wanna Hold Your Hand
, as the irrepressible "Rosie Petrofsky." Sperber was overweight, but was able to move quickly on screen (Entertainment Weekly
described Rosie Petrofsky as "a screaming Beatlemania
c who, among other things, climbed through elevator shafts and leapt from a moving car"), and her “girl-next-door” appearance helped her to overcome the stigma of her weight.
She played the title role in the ABC Afterschool Special
feature Dinky Hocker
, which dealt with a teenager's attempts to hide her feelings by eating, and engaged in physical comedy in Steven Spielberg
's 1941
. Zemeckis, who also worked on 1941, brought Sperber back to the big screen in 1980 with a role in his comedy Used Cars
, but it was on television that year that Sperber finally began to receive more serious attention. She was cast in the role of "Amy Cassidy;" a character that was funny, romantic, and exuberant— in the series Bosom Buddies
, starring Tom Hanks
and Peter Scolari
. Following its cancellation in 1982, Sperber appeared in the comedy The First Time, and worked a year on the series Private Benjamin
. She then resumed her feature work in the Tom Hanks theatrical vehicle Bachelor Party, directed by Neal Israel
. Israel used her again in Moving Violations
in 1985. That same year, she appeared as Linda McFly in Zemeckis' highly successful Back to the Future
.
Sperber's roles grew larger in the wake of Back to the Future, and over the next decade she starred in the series Babes
(a comedy about three zaftig women; her costar Susan Peretz
would also lose her fight with breast cancer several years later), and had a major supporting part in the series Hearts Afire
, as well as numerous big-screen comedies interspersed with the occasional drama. By her own account, however, she preferred comedy if given the choice. As she told TV Guide
in 1990, “I'm an actress who likes to say something funny—everybody laughs and your job is done.”
In 1983, Sperber married Richard Velasquez and had a son, Preston, in 1986, and a daughter, Pearl, in 1990. Pearl also goes by the name "Daphne." The marriage ended in divorce in 1994.
In 1997, Sperber was diagnosed with breast cancer
, which seemed to go into remission following treatment. She revealed in April
of 2002, though, that the cancer had reappeared and spread throughout her body. She continued to work in television and movies during this period, including episodes of Unhappily Ever After
, Home Improvement, Will & Grace
, Grounded for Life
, and the movies Desperate But Not Serious
(1999) and Sorority Boys
(2002). She died on November 29, 2005. Her last work was lending her voice to "Roger 'n' Me", an episode of American Dad in 2006, which aired after her death. The producers of the show renamed her character as Wendie Jo in honor of the actress.
Each year, weSPARK has put on an extravagant benefit show called weSPARKLE to raise funds for the organization. The event has been attended by many of Sperber's friends and colleagues, including Tom Hanks
, Bryan Cranston
, John Ritter
, and Eric McCormack
.
In 1998, Sperber also helped the United States Postal Service
unveil and promote a breast-cancer stamp.
. The film follows the actress through her treatments to battle breast cancer during the production of the 2004 weSPARKLE event.
I Wanna Hold Your Hand (film)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand is a comedy film directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis, which takes its name from the 1963 song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles. It was produced and co-written by Bob Gale. The film is about "Beatlemania" and is a fictionalized account of the day of the...
(1978), Bachelor Party (1984) and Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
(1985) as well as the television sitcom Bosom Buddies
Bosom Buddies
Bosom Buddies is an American sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari created by Robert L. Boyett, Thomas L. Miller and Chris Thompson. It ran from 1980 to 1982 on ABC and in reruns in the summer of 1984 on NBC....
(1980–1982).
Life
Sperber was born in Hollywood and aimed for a performing-arts career from high school onward. She attended the summer Teenage Drama Workshop at California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
, during the 1970s, and began her screen career at a young age when she was cast in the small role of "Kuchinsky," in Matthew Robbins
Matthew Robbins (screenwriter)
Matthew Robbins is an American screenwriter, film producer and director. He is good friends with Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Guillermo Del Toro and Walter Murch and has had cameo appearances in THX 1138 and Close Encounters of the Third Kind...
' 1978 teen comedy Corvette Summer
Corvette Summer
Corvette Summer is an American film, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1978 starring Mark Hamill and Annie Potts. It tells the story of a lonely, car-obsessed California teenager and the theft of his beloved customized Corvette Stingray.-Plot summary:...
, alongside Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill
Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director, and writer, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy of Star Wars. More recently, he has received acclaim for his voice work, in such roles as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Firelord...
. She appeared in Robert Zemeckis
Robert Zemeckis
Robert Lee Zemeckis is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Zemeckis first came to public attention in the 1980s as the director of the comedic time-travel Back to the Future film series, as well as the Academy Award-winning live-action/animation epic Who Framed Roger Rabbit ,...
' period comedy I Wanna Hold Your Hand
I Wanna Hold Your Hand (film)
I Wanna Hold Your Hand is a comedy film directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis, which takes its name from the 1963 song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles. It was produced and co-written by Bob Gale. The film is about "Beatlemania" and is a fictionalized account of the day of the...
, as the irrepressible "Rosie Petrofsky." Sperber was overweight, but was able to move quickly on screen (Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
described Rosie Petrofsky as "a screaming Beatlemania
Beatlemania
Beatlemania is a term that originated during the 1960s to describe the intense fan frenzy directed toward The Beatles during the early years of their success...
c who, among other things, climbed through elevator shafts and leapt from a moving car"), and her “girl-next-door” appearance helped her to overcome the stigma of her weight.
She played the title role in the ABC Afterschool Special
ABC Afterschool Special
The ABC Afterschool Special is an American television anthology series that aired on ABC from 1972 to 1996, usually in the late afternoon on week days. Most of the episodes were dramatic presentations of situations, often controversial, of interest to children and teenagers. Several episodes were...
feature Dinky Hocker
Dinky Hocker
Dinky Hocker is a American television teen comedy/drama that aired as a ABC Afterschool Special on December 12, 1979. It was based on the 1972 novel Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack by M.E...
, which dealt with a teenager's attempts to hide her feelings by eating, and engaged in physical comedy in Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Steven Allan Spielberg KBE is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, video game designer, and studio entrepreneur. In a career of more than four decades, Spielberg's films have covered many themes and genres. Spielberg's early science-fiction and adventure films were seen as an...
's 1941
1941 (film)
1941 is a 1979 period comedy film directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and featuring an ensemble cast including John Belushi, Ned Beatty, John Candy, Toshiro Mifune, Christopher Lee and Dan Aykroyd...
. Zemeckis, who also worked on 1941, brought Sperber back to the big screen in 1980 with a role in his comedy Used Cars
Used Cars
Used Cars is a 1980 comedy satire film. It stars Kurt Russell, Jack Warden , Deborah Harmon, and Gerrit Graham.Kurt Russell portrays a devious car salesman working for affable but monumentally unsuccessful used car dealer Luke Fuchs . Luke's principal rival, located directly across the street, is...
, but it was on television that year that Sperber finally began to receive more serious attention. She was cast in the role of "Amy Cassidy;" a character that was funny, romantic, and exuberant— in the series Bosom Buddies
Bosom Buddies
Bosom Buddies is an American sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari created by Robert L. Boyett, Thomas L. Miller and Chris Thompson. It ran from 1980 to 1982 on ABC and in reruns in the summer of 1984 on NBC....
, starring Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
and Peter Scolari
Peter Scolari
Peter Scolari is an American television, film and stage actor best known for his roles in the television shows Newhart, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, and Bosom Buddies.-Career:...
. Following its cancellation in 1982, Sperber appeared in the comedy The First Time, and worked a year on the series Private Benjamin
Private Benjamin (TV series)
Private Benjamin is an American sitcom based on the movie of the same name. The show aired on CBS from April 6, 1981, to January 10, 1983. Eileen Brennan, who reprised her role from the film, won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for her work on the series....
. She then resumed her feature work in the Tom Hanks theatrical vehicle Bachelor Party, directed by Neal Israel
Neal Israel
Neal Israel is an American actor, screenwriter, film and television producer and director best known for his comedic work in the 1980s.-Career:...
. Israel used her again in Moving Violations
Moving Violations
Moving Violations is a 1985 comedy film starring John Murray, Jennifer Tilly, Brian Backer, Sally Kellerman, Nedra Volz, Clara Peller, Wendie Jo Sperber and Fred Willard. It was directed by Neal Israel...
in 1985. That same year, she appeared as Linda McFly in Zemeckis' highly successful Back to the Future
Back to the Future
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
.
Sperber's roles grew larger in the wake of Back to the Future, and over the next decade she starred in the series Babes
Babes
Babes is an American situation comedy series that ran for one season on the Fox Television Network from September 13, 1990 to August 10, 1991. It was created by Gail Parent and executive produced by Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin's Sandollar Productions for Twentieth Century Fox Television...
(a comedy about three zaftig women; her costar Susan Peretz
Susan Peretz
Susan Peretz was an American actress, best known for her performances in film and on television. Among others, she appeared in Dog Day Afternoon, Melvin and Howard, Swing Shift, and Oh, God! You Devil....
would also lose her fight with breast cancer several years later), and had a major supporting part in the series Hearts Afire
Hearts Afire
Hearts Afire is a sitcom that aired from September 14, 1992 to February 1, 1995 on CBS. It starred John Ritter and Markie Post, with Post portraying a journalist and Ritter playing a senator's aide....
, as well as numerous big-screen comedies interspersed with the occasional drama. By her own account, however, she preferred comedy if given the choice. As she told TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
in 1990, “I'm an actress who likes to say something funny—everybody laughs and your job is done.”
In 1983, Sperber married Richard Velasquez and had a son, Preston, in 1986, and a daughter, Pearl, in 1990. Pearl also goes by the name "Daphne." The marriage ended in divorce in 1994.
In 1997, Sperber was diagnosed with breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, which seemed to go into remission following treatment. She revealed in April
April 2002
April 2002: January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December-April 5, 2002:...
of 2002, though, that the cancer had reappeared and spread throughout her body. She continued to work in television and movies during this period, including episodes of Unhappily Ever After
Unhappily Ever After
Unhappily Ever After is an American sitcom that aired for 100 episodes on The WB network from January 11, 1995, to May 23, 1999, for a total of four and a half seasons...
, Home Improvement, Will & Grace
Will & Grace
Will & Grace was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 21, 1998 to May 18, 2006 for a total of eight seasons. Will & Grace remains the most successful television series with gay principal characters...
, Grounded for Life
Grounded for Life
Grounded for Life is an American television sitcom that debuted on January 10, 2001 as a mid-season replacement on the FOX Network. It was created by Mike Schiff and Bill Martin. It ran for two seasons on the network until being cancelled only two episodes into its third season...
, and the movies Desperate But Not Serious
Desperate But Not Serious
Desperate But Not Serious is a 1999 movie directed by Bill Fishman. It was released in the USA under the title Reckless + Wild.Out-of-towner Lily arrives in Los Angeles to attend a wedding reception with the man of her dreams, Jonathan . Aided by party-girl Frances , they embark on a night of...
(1999) and Sorority Boys
Sorority Boys
Sorority Boys is a 2002 comedy film directed by Wallace Wolodarsky, about a group of college guys who dress up as women to prove their innocence for a crime they didn't commit.-Plot:...
(2002). She died on November 29, 2005. Her last work was lending her voice to "Roger 'n' Me", an episode of American Dad in 2006, which aired after her death. The producers of the show renamed her character as Wendie Jo in honor of the actress.
Involvement in social issues
In addition to her work on TV and movies, Sperber also was the founder of weSPARK Cancer Support Center, an independent organization formed in 2001 to advance and help support individuals and their families fighting various forms of cancer through free emotional support, information and social events/activities. In addition to being the founder, Sperber also served on the board of directors and wrote the quarterly newsletter.Each year, weSPARK has put on an extravagant benefit show called weSPARKLE to raise funds for the organization. The event has been attended by many of Sperber's friends and colleagues, including Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
, Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Lee Cranston is an American actor, voice actor, writer and director. He is best known for his roles as Hal the father in the Fox situation comedy Malcolm in the Middle, and Walter White in the AMC drama series Breaking Bad, for which he won three consecutive Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama...
, John Ritter
John Ritter
Jonathan Southworth "John" Ritter was an American actor, voice over artist and comedian perhaps best known for having played Jack Tripper and Paul Hennessy in the ABC sitcoms Three's Company and 8 Simple Rules, respectively...
, and Eric McCormack
Eric McCormack
Eric James McCormack is a Canadian American actor, musician, writer and producer. Born in Toronto, he began his acting career performing in school plays at Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute High School...
.
In 1998, Sperber also helped the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
unveil and promote a breast-cancer stamp.
Documentary film
Sperber is the subject of the documentary The Show Must Go On, directed by Beth MurphyBeth Murphy
Beth Murphy is a documentary director, founder of the film production studio Principle Pictures, and an author. She has produced/directed numerous television documentaries for Discovery International, The History Channel, Discovery Health, Lifetime Television and PBS...
. The film follows the actress through her treatments to battle breast cancer during the production of the 2004 weSPARKLE event.
Film
- My Dinner with JimiMy Dinner with JimiMy Dinner with Jimi is a 2003 autobiographical film written by Howard Kaylan, dealing with events in 1966-67 which led up to the night in 1967 when Kaylan encountered The Beatles in London, England...
(2003) as Louella - Sorority BoysSorority BoysSorority Boys is a 2002 comedy film directed by Wallace Wolodarsky, about a group of college guys who dress up as women to prove their innocence for a crime they didn't commit.-Plot:...
(2002) as Professor Bendler - Pissed (2000) as Wendy
- Desperate But Not SeriousDesperate But Not SeriousDesperate But Not Serious is a 1999 movie directed by Bill Fishman. It was released in the USA under the title Reckless + Wild.Out-of-towner Lily arrives in Los Angeles to attend a wedding reception with the man of her dreams, Jonathan . Aided by party-girl Frances , they embark on a night of...
(1999) as Landlady - Big Packages (1996)
- The Return of Hunter (1995) (TV) as Lucille
- Mr. Payback: An Interactive MovieMr. Payback: An Interactive MovieMr. Payback: An Interactive Movie is a 1995 American comedic short film written by Bob Gale and directed by both Bob Gale and Charles Croughwell...
(1995) as Woman With Kitten - Mr. Write (1994) as Roz
- Love Affair (1994) as Helen
- Back to the Future Part IIIBack to the Future Part IIIBack to the Future Part III is a 1990 American science fiction comedy Western film. It is the third installment of the Back to the Future trilogy. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Thomas F. Wilson and Lea Thompson. The film...
(1990) as Linda McFly - The Image (1990) (TV) as Anita Cox
- Delta Fever (1987) as Claire
- Stewardess SchoolStewardess SchoolStewardess School is a 1986 American comedy film starring Brett Cullen and Don Most. It is also known for being one of voice veteran Rob Paulsen's very few onscreen roles, and up until the early 2000's, one of the most played films on the American cable channel Comedy Central.-Plot:When frat boys...
(1986) as Jolean Winters - Back to the FutureBack to the FutureBack to the Future is a 1985 American science-fiction adventure film. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis, written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, produced by Steven Spielberg, and starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. The film tells the story of...
(1985) as Linda McFly - Moving ViolationsMoving ViolationsMoving Violations is a 1985 comedy film starring John Murray, Jennifer Tilly, Brian Backer, Sally Kellerman, Nedra Volz, Clara Peller, Wendie Jo Sperber and Fred Willard. It was directed by Neal Israel...
(1985) as Joan Pudillo - Bachelor Party (1984) as Dr. Tina Gassko
- The First Time (1983) as Eileen
- Used CarsUsed CarsUsed Cars is a 1980 comedy satire film. It stars Kurt Russell, Jack Warden , Deborah Harmon, and Gerrit Graham.Kurt Russell portrays a devious car salesman working for affable but monumentally unsuccessful used car dealer Luke Fuchs . Luke's principal rival, located directly across the street, is...
(1980) (as Miss Wendie Jo Sperber) as Nervous Nona - 19411941 (film)1941 is a 1979 period comedy film directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and featuring an ensemble cast including John Belushi, Ned Beatty, John Candy, Toshiro Mifune, Christopher Lee and Dan Aykroyd...
(1979) as Maxine Dexheimer - Dinky HockerDinky HockerDinky Hocker is a American television teen comedy/drama that aired as a ABC Afterschool Special on December 12, 1979. It was based on the 1972 novel Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack by M.E...
(1979) (TV) as Susan 'Dinky' Hocker - Corvette SummerCorvette SummerCorvette Summer is an American film, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1978 starring Mark Hamill and Annie Potts. It tells the story of a lonely, car-obsessed California teenager and the theft of his beloved customized Corvette Stingray.-Plot summary:...
(1978) as Kuchinsky - I Wanna Hold Your HandI Wanna Hold Your Hand (film)I Wanna Hold Your Hand is a comedy film directed and co-written by Robert Zemeckis, which takes its name from the 1963 song "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles. It was produced and co-written by Bob Gale. The film is about "Beatlemania" and is a fictionalized account of the day of the...
(1978) as Rosie Petrofsky
Television
- American Dad as Old Lady/Wendie Jo (Voice) in "Roger & Me" (2006)
- Grounded for LifeGrounded for LifeGrounded for Life is an American television sitcom that debuted on January 10, 2001 as a mid-season replacement on the FOX Network. It was created by Mike Schiff and Bill Martin. It ran for two seasons on the network until being cancelled only two episodes into its third season...
as Mrs. Robinson in "The Letter(s)" (2005) - 8 Simple Rules8 Simple Rules8 Simple Rules is an American sitcom that originally aired on ABC from September 17, 2002, to April 15, 2005, with 76 episodes produced over three seasons. It is based on the self-improvement book of the same name. The show starred John Ritter until his death on September 11, 2003...
as Alice in 4 episodes (2002–2005) - Hearts AfireHearts AfireHearts Afire is a sitcom that aired from September 14, 1992 to February 1, 1995 on CBS. It starred John Ritter and Markie Post, with Post portraying a journalist and Ritter playing a senator's aide....
as Mavis Davis (1992–1993) - Will and Grace as April in "My Fair Maid-y (1999)
- Married... With ChildrenMarried... with ChildrenMarried... with Children is an American surrealistic sitcom that aired for 11 seasons that featured a dysfunctional family living in Chicago, Illinois. The show, notable for being the first prime time television series to air on Fox, ran from April 5, 1987, to June 9, 1997. The series was created...
as Sandy, Al's old girlfriend from high school, from the episode "I Who Have Nothing" (1991) - BabesBabesBabes is an American situation comedy series that ran for one season on the Fox Television Network from September 13, 1990 to August 10, 1991. It was created by Gail Parent and executive produced by Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin's Sandollar Productions for Twentieth Century Fox Television...
as Charlene Gilbert (1990–1991) - Designing WomenDesigning WomenDesigning Women is an American television sitcom that centered on the working and personal lives of four Southern women and one man in an interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. It aired on the CBS television network from September 29, 1986 until May 24, 1993. The show was created by head writer...
as Estelle Rhinehart in the episode "The Women of Atlanta" (1989) - Women in PrisonWomen in Prison (TV series)Women in Prison is an American television sitcom, which aired on Fox from October 11, 1987 to April 2, 1988.-Synopsis:Set in cell-block J of the Bass Women's prison in Wisconsin, the show focuses on the interactions among the prison inmates...
as Pam (1987–1988) - Private BenjaminPrivate Benjamin (TV series)Private Benjamin is an American sitcom based on the movie of the same name. The show aired on CBS from April 6, 1981, to January 10, 1983. Eileen Brennan, who reprised her role from the film, won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for her work on the series....
as Pvt. Stacy Kouchalakas (1982–1983) - Bosom BuddiesBosom BuddiesBosom Buddies is an American sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari created by Robert L. Boyett, Thomas L. Miller and Chris Thompson. It ran from 1980 to 1982 on ABC and in reruns in the summer of 1984 on NBC....
as Amy Cassidy (1980–1982)
External links
- "One Fun Babe", a 1990 Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, broadway theatre, books and popular culture...
profile of Sperber that discusses her role on the sitcom BabesBabesBabes is an American situation comedy series that ran for one season on the Fox Television Network from September 13, 1990 to August 10, 1991. It was created by Gail Parent and executive produced by Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin's Sandollar Productions for Twentieth Century Fox Television...
. - The Show Must Go On documentary about Wendie Jo Sperber