Linda Carlson, a talented and accomplished actress and playwright, was born in Minnesota to parents of Swedish descent. Her journey in the entertainment industry was marked by a diverse range of roles on stage and screen, with one of her most notable performances being that of TV station boss Bev Dutton in the popular sitcom Newhart (1982).
Carlson's educational background is impressive, having earned a degree in speech and dramatic arts from the University of Iowa. She later pursued further studies at the Tisch School of the Arts in New York, graduating with a Master's degree. Before embarking on her acting career, Carlson briefly worked as a high school teacher in Michigan.
Her first job in the entertainment industry was as a theatre usherette, but she soon broke into professional acting as the first white performer to appear with the Negro Ensemble Company in New York. She went on to work with various repertory theatre companies in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, and New Jersey, before making her Broadway debut in Otto Preminger's production of Full Circle opposite Leonard Nimoy in 1973.
Carlson's television career saw her appear in a range of shows, including Westside Medical (1977),Kaz (1978),Kojak (1973),Lou Grant (1977),Quincy, M.E. (1976),Cagney & Lacey (1981),and Space: Above and Beyond (1995). She also had a recurring role in the Emmy Award-winning legal drama Murder One (1995),portraying a judge in 22 episodes.
On the big screen, Carlson's most notable roles included playing Jed Clampett's sister Pearl Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies (1993). After retiring from acting in 2002, Carlson moved to Connecticut, where she dedicated herself to philanthropic work, particularly with the Hartford-based non-profit Village for Families & Children. She had previously founded the Abbott-Carlson Scholarship for high school graduates on the West Coast.
Throughout her career, Carlson's talent and dedication to her craft have been evident, and her contributions to the entertainment industry and beyond are truly remarkable.
