Claudia Lonow (born January 26, 1963) is an American actress, comedian, television writer and producer. She is best known for her portrayal of Diana Fairgate on ''

Knots Landing ''Knots Landing'' is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on CBS from December 27, 1979, to May 13, 1993. A spin-off of ''Dallas'', it was set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially centered on the lives of ...

'' (1979-1984, 1993).

Early life and education

Lonow was born Claudia Rapaport in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

to mother JoAnne Astrow and father David Rapaport, a radio executive who was the general manager of the All-Disco format at New York radio station WKTU Disco 92. She has two younger half-brothers: Eric Rapaport, a doctor, and

Michael Rapaport Michael David Rapaport (born March 20, 1970) is an American actor and comedian. Beginning his career in the early 1990s, he has made over 100 appearances in film and television. His film roles include ''True Romance'' (1993), ''Higher Learning' ...

, a film and television actor. Her stepfather is comic Mark Lonow, who owned

The Improv The Improv is a comedy club franchise. It was founded as a single venue in the Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of New York City in 1963, and expanded into a chain of venues in the late 1970s. History Originally, it was a ...

with

Budd Friedman Gerson Merton Friedman (June 6, 1932 – November 12, 2022), known professionally as Budd Friedman, was an American actor and comedian, as well as the founder and original proprietor and MC of the Improvisation Comedy Club, which opened in 19 ...

. She took his surname. Lonow is Jewish and grew up in a

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

family. Lonow graduated from

The High School of Music and Art The High School of Music & Art, informally known as "Music & Art" (or "M&A"), was a public specialized high school located at 443-465 West 135th Street in the borough of Manhattan, New York, from 1936 until 1984. In 1961, Music & Art and the Hig ...

Career

Actor

Lonow is known for her role as Diana Fairgate on the CBS series ''

'', in which she appeared from 1979 to 1984 and again in 1993. She reprised her role in the 1997 reunion miniseries '' Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac''. She guest starred on ''

Fantasy Island ''Fantasy Island'' is an American fantasy drama television series created by Gene Levitt. It aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984. The series starred Ricardo Montalbán as the mysterious Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant, Tattoo. Gu ...

'', ''

The Love Boat ''The Love Boat'' is an American romantic comedy/drama television series that aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986; in addition, four three-hour specials aired in 1986, 1987, and 1990. The series was set on the luxury passenger cruise ship MS ''Pac ...

'' and ''

Hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a ref ...

''.

Writer and producer

Lonow's behind-the-scenes career took off with her creation, co-production and writing of '' Rude Awakening'', a television series which aired on

Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...

from 1998–2001 and starred actresses

Sherilyn Fenn Sherilyn Fenn (born Sheryl Ann Fenn; February 1, 1965) is an American actress and author. She came to attention for her performance as Audrey Horne on the television series ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991, 2017) for which she was nominated for a Go ...

and

Rain Pryor Rain Pryor is an American actress and comedian. Her television credits include sitcoms ''Head of the Class'' and '' Rude Awakening''. She is the daughter of comedian Richard Pryor. Early life Pryor was born in Los Angeles, California, the daugh ...

. Lonow also created, wrote and produced the comedy series ''

Good Girls Don't "Good Girls Don't" is a 1979 hit single written by Doug Fieger and released by the rock band The Knack, off their album '' Get the Knack.'' It was the follow-up to the group's number-one hit single, "My Sharona". "Good Girls Don't" was a No. 1 ...

''. Lonow held writing and consulting producer credits on the TV series ''

Less Than Perfect ''Less than Perfect'' is an American television sitcom created by Terri Minsky and starring Sara Rue and Sherri Shepherd which originally aired on ABC from October 1, 2002, to June 20, 2006. It follows Claude (Rue), who works at a television netw ...

''. She also wrote and co-executive produced the FOX series '' The War at Home'' and CBS's '' Accidentally on Purpose''. In 2012, she created, wrote and produced the ABC sitcom ''

How to Live with Your Parents (for the Rest of Your Life) ''How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)'' is an American single-camera sitcom created by '' Accidentally on Purpose'' creator Claudia Lonow that aired on ABC from April 3 to June 26, 2013. The series was produced by 20th Cent ...

'' starring

Sarah Chalke Sarah Louise Christine Chalke (; born August 27, 1976) is a Canadian actress and model. She is known for portraying Elliot Reid on the NBC/ABC comedy series '' Scrubs'', the second Becky Conner on the ABC sitcom ''Roseanne'', Stella Zinman on ...

Brad Garrett Bradley Henry Gerstenfeld (born April 14, 1960), known professionally as Brad Garrett, is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Possessing a distinctive deep voice, he has appeared in numerous television and film roles in both live-action and ...

, and

Elizabeth Perkins Elizabeth Ann Perkins (born November 18, 1960) is an American actress. Her film roles have included '' About Last Night'' (1986), ''Big'' (1988), ''Avalon'' (1990), and '' He Said, She Said'' (1991), ''The Flintstones'' (1994), ''Miracle on 34th ...

Personal life

Lonow has a daughter.

Filmography

* 1996: ''Don't Quit Your Day Job'' (Video Game) – Writer * 1997: ''The New Adventures of Robin Hood'' (TV Series) – Writer (1 episode) * 1998-2001: '' Rude Awakening'' (TV Series) – Executive producer (47 episodes); Co-executive producer (8 episodes), Creator (55 episodes); Writer (13 episodes) * 2003: ''Regular Joe'' (TV Series) – Creative consultant (1 episode) * 2003-2006: ''

Less than Perfect ''Less than Perfect'' is an American television sitcom created by Terri Minsky and starring Sara Rue and Sherri Shepherd which originally aired on ABC from October 1, 2002, to June 20, 2006. It follows Claude (Rue), who works at a television netw ...

'' (TV Series) – Consulting producer (49 episodes); Writer (2 episodes); Consultant (12 episodes) * 2004: ''

...'' (TV Series) – Executive producer, Creator (8 episodes) * 2006: ''Flirt'' (TV Movie) – Executive producer * 2006-2007: '' The War at Home'' (TV Series) – Co-executive producer (32 episodes); Writer (3 episodes); Teleplay by (1 episode) * 2008: ''

Cashmere Mafia ''Cashmere Mafia'' is an American comedy-drama television series which ran on ABC from January 6, 2008 to February 20, 2008. The series was created by Kevin Wade, who also served as executive producer alongside Darren Star, Gail Katz, Jeff Rake an ...

'' (TV Series) – Consulting producer (6 episodes); Writer (1 episode) * 2009: ''

Surviving Suburbia ''Surviving Suburbia'' is an American sitcom television series starring Bob Saget and Cynthia Stevenson that aired on American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from April 6 to August 7, 2009. The series originally aired at 9:30 PM Eastern/8:30 ...

'' (TV Series) – Writer (3 episodes) * 2009-2010: '' Accidentally on Purpose'' (TV Series) – Executive producer (16 episodes); Creator (8 episodes); Writer (4 episodes) * 2010: ''Iris Expanding'' (TV Movie) – Executive producer * 2011: '' Friends with Benefits'' (TV Series) – Co-executive producer (11 episodes); Writer (1 episode) * 2012: '' Work It'' (TV Series) – Co-executive producer (1 episode); Writer (2 episodes) * 2012: ''Counter Culture'' (TV Movie) – Executive producer * 2013: ''

How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) ''How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)'' is an American single-camera sitcom created by '' Accidentally on Purpose'' creator Claudia Lonow that aired on ABC from April 3 to June 26, 2013. The series was produced by 20th Cent ...

(For the Rest of Your Life)'' (TV Series) – Executive producer (5 episodes); Creator (13 episodes); Writer (3 episodes) * 2013-2014: ''Sean Saves the World'' (TV Series) – Writer (2 episodes) * 2015: ''Bummed'' (Short) – Co-writer, Director * 2016: ''Comedy Central Sit N Spin'' (TV Series) – Writer (1 episode) * 2016: ''

Crowded Crowded may refer to: *A place with a crowd * Crowded (song), 2006 song by Jeanie Ortega * "Crowded", a 1969 song by Nazz on Nazz (album) ''Nazz'' is the debut album by American rock group Nazz. It was released in 1968. The album spawned two si ...

'' (TV Series) – Consulting producer (12 episodes); Writer (1 episode) ;Actor * 1979: ''

The Mary Tyler Moore Hour ''The Mary Tyler Moore Hour'' is an American sitcom-variety show starring Mary Tyler Moore, Dody Goodman, Michael Keaton and Joyce Van Patten that aired on CBS from March 4, 1979, to June 10, 1979, with a total of 11 episodes spanning over one se ...

'' (TV Series) – Mary Ellen in ''Mary's Goddaughter,'' Episode #1.6 (1979) * 1979-1984, 1993: ''

'' (TV Series) – Diana Fairgate / Diana (81 episodes) * 1982: ''Drop-Out Father'' (TV Movie) – Peggy McCall * 1982: ''

'' (TV Series) – Taylor in ''Legends/The Perfect Gentleman'' (1982) * 1982: ''Wacko'' – Pam Graves * 1983: ''

'' (TV Series) – Suzie Scott in ''The Zinging Valentine/The Very Temporary Secretary/Final Score'' (1983) * 1987: ''

'' (TV Series) – Hayley Cole in ''Fast Forward'' (1987) * 1987, 1989: ''

Duet A duet is a musical composition for two performers in which the performers have equal importance to the piece, often a composition involving two singers or two pianists. It differs from a harmony, as the performers take turns performing a solo ...

'' (TV Series) – Ms. Taylor in ''I Never Played for My Father: Part 2'' (1987); Carol in ''Too Many Cooks'' (1989) * 1990: ''Thanksgiving Day'' (TV Movie) – Toni * 1990: ''Eating'' – Party Guest * 1994: ''

Beverly Hills, 90210 ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' (often referred to by its short title, ''90210'') is an American teen drama television series created by Darren Star and produced by Aaron Spelling under his production company Spelling Television. The series ran fo ...

'' (TV Series) – Hairdresser in ''What I Did on My Summer Vacation and Other Stories'' (1994) * 1996: ''Don't Quit Your Day Job'' (Video Game) – Shirly Felcker * 1997: 7th Heaven (TV Series) – Waitress in ''America's Most Wanted'' (1997) * 1997: '' Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac'' (TV Mini-Series) – Diana Fairgate * 2001: '' Rude Awakening'' (TV Series) – Linda in ''Altar Ego'' (2001)

Works and publications

* * * * * * *

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lonow, Claudia American television actresses Television producers from New York City American women television producers American television writers Living people Writers from New York City American women television writers Actresses from New York City The High School of Music & Art alumni 1963 births Screenwriters from New York (state) 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American screenwriters 20th-century American women writers 20th-century American Jews 21st-century American screenwriters 21st-century American women writers 21st-century American Jews Jewish American actresses Jewish American screenwriters