Born in 1955 in Boise, Idaho, she pursued acting at the University of Kentucky. Gaining recognition in the 1980s, she is best known for her role as Joyce Summers on the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Her career spans film and television, including appearances in "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and various guest roles on TV dramas. Beyond acting, she has a passion for photography. Married to actor John Pankow, she balances her creative endeavors with family life.