1. Overview
Donna Gail Pescow (born March 24, 1954) is an American actress, director, and screenwriter. She is widely recognized for her impactful roles in both film and television, including Annette in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, Angie Falco-Benson in the sitcom Angie (1979-1980), Donna Garland in Out of This World, and Eileen Stevens in the Disney Channel sitcom Even Stevens. Pescow's career is notable for its longevity and for her significant contributions to social representation in media, particularly her pioneering portrayal of the first lesbian character on a daytime soap opera.
2. Early Life and Background
Donna Pescow was born on March 24, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, into a Jewish family. Her father, Marty Pescow, owned and operated a newsstand located in Downtown Manhattan at 17 Battery Place.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Pescow spent her formative years in Brooklyn, attending Sheepshead Bay High School. Following her high school education, she pursued formal training in acting at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Around 1973, Pescow gained a leading role in an Off-off-Broadway musical titled Poor Old Fool, though the production had a brief run, closing after only a few weeks.
3. Career
Pescow's professional journey spans across film, television, and directorial work, marked by a series of notable roles and pioneering contributions to on-screen representation.
3.1. Early Career and Breakthrough
Pescow's breakthrough role came in 1977 when she starred as Annette in the critically acclaimed film Saturday Night Fever, alongside John Travolta. To authentically portray her character, Pescow had to re-learn her Brooklyn accent, which she had consciously softened for professional purposes. Her performance earned her recognition, including being the New York Film Critics' third-place choice for their Best Supporting Actress award.
Also in 1977, Pescow joined the cast of the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, where she played Celena Arquette. Although her role was brief, lasting less than a year, it served as a significant stepping stone, helping to launch her television career and leading to subsequent roles on other ABC soap operas. In 1978, Pescow appeared as a celebrity panelist on the game show Match Game. That same year, she portrayed Jinnie Gumm, one of Judy Garland's older sisters, in the television biographical film Rainbow, which was directed by Jackie Cooper.
3.2. Television Career
Pescow's television career is extensive, encompassing lead roles in sitcoms and significant dramatic portrayals in soap operas. She starred in her own television series, Angie, which aired for two seasons on ABC from 1979 to 1980. In this series, she shared the screen with primary castmates Robert Hays, Debralee Scott, and fellow New Yorker Doris Roberts.
In 1982, Pescow took on the groundbreaking role of Dr. Lynn Carson on the soap opera All My Children. She played this character until 1983, making history as the first openly lesbian character on a daytime serial. This role was a significant contribution to LGBTQ+ representation on screen, reflecting her impact on social progress. Following her tenure on All My Children, Pescow secured the role of Donna Garland in the first-run syndication children's comedy series Out of This World in 1987, starring alongside Maureen Flannigan and Joe Alaskey. She remained with the show until its cancellation in 1991.
After Out of This World concluded, Pescow took on a series of smaller roles before returning to more prominent television appearances. She made guest appearances on popular shows such as Clueless, NYPD Blue, Pauly, and Ivory Tower, and also appeared in the 1998 television film Dead Husbands. From 1999 to 2001, Pescow was a cast member on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, portraying the villainous Gertrude Morgan, who was the aunt of Chloe Morgan (Tava Smiley). Her character was written out of the show when Smiley's contract ended in 2001. During this period, Pescow also had a minor role in the television film Partners and guest-starred on the series Philly.
In 1999, Disney approached Pescow about a new half-hour youth sitcom. A pilot was filmed in 2000, which led to the creation of Even Stevens. The series aired for three seasons on Disney Channel from 2000 to 2003, becoming a flagship show for the network. After the series concluded, Pescow and the rest of the cast reunited for the finale film, The Even Stevens Movie. After a hiatus following Even Stevens, Pescow appeared in the short film One Sung Hero alongside Nicole Sullivan. She then took another brief break from acting before appearing in a 2006 episode of Crossing Jordan. In 2007, Pescow appeared in the series finale of The Sopranos, portraying Donna Parisi, the wife of mobster Patsy Parisi. In 2023, Pescow made a cameo appearance with John Travolta in a Capital One Christmas commercial, playing a shoe store cashier visited by Santa (Travolta).
3.3. Film Career
Pescow's film credits include her iconic role in Saturday Night Fever (1977). She also appeared in made-for-television movies such as Rainbow (1978), Human Feelings (1978), Advice to the Lovelorn (1981), The Day the Bubble Burst (1982), Policewoman Centerfold (1983), Obsessed with a Married Woman (1985), Glory Years (1987), Dead Husbands (1998), and Partners (2000). Her feature film appearances include Jake Speed (1986) and Ivory Tower (1998). She reprised her role as Eileen Stevens in The Even Stevens Movie (2003) and appeared in the short film One Sung Hero (2006). More recently, she was in the television movies Operation Cupcake (2012) and Holiday Road Trip (2013).
3.4. Directorial Activities
Beyond her acting career, Donna Pescow has also ventured into directing for television. She notably directed three episodes of the Disney Channel sitcom Even Stevens, a series in which she also starred.
4. Filmography
Pescow's acting and directing credits include:
- 2023: Welcome to Chippendales (TV series) - Bridget (Jewellery Store) (episode: "February 31st")
- 2017: The Flash (TV series) - Dr. Sharon Finkel (episode: "When Harry Met Harry...")
- 2017: New Girl (TV series) - Priscilla (episode: "San Diego")
- 2013: Holiday Road Trip (TV movie) - Margaret
- 2012: Operation Cupcake (TV movie) - Sheila
- 2010: Cold Case (TV series) - Nancy Kent '10
- 2007: The Sopranos (TV series) - Donna Parisi
- 2007: Crossing Jordan (TV series) - Debbie's Mother
- 2006: One Sung Hero (short) - Karen
- 2003: The Even Stevens Movie (TV movie) - Eileen Stevens
- 2002: Philly (TV series) - Ronnie Garfield
- 2000: Even Stevens (TV series) - Eileen Stevens / Bubbie Rose, 65 episodes (2000-2003)
- 2000: Partners (TV movie) - Bob's Wife
- 1999: General Hospital (TV series) - Gertrude Morgan (1999-2001)
- 1998: Dead Husbands (TV movie) - Rosemary Monroe
- 1998: Ivory Tower - Bonnie Benitez
- 1997: Pauly (TV series) - Ariana
- 1997: NYPD Blue (TV series) - Mrs. Carol Buono
- 1997: Clueless (TV series) - Sheila Kendall
- 1996: Nash Bridges (TV series) (episode: "Hit Parade")
- 1994: Kenny Kingston Psychic Hotline (paid programming) with Ted Lange
- 1987: Glory Years (TV movie) - Norma
- 1986: Jake Speed - Wendy
- 1987: Out of This World (TV series) - Donna Garland (Main Role), 96 episodes (1987-1991)
- 1986: Murder, She Wrote (TV series) - Cornelia
- 1985: Mr. Belvedere (TV series) - Candy
- 1985: Obsessed with a Married Woman (TV movie) - Susan
- 1984: Finder of Lost Loves (TV series) - Anne Sherman
- 1983: Hotel (TV series) - Cathy Connelly / Gloria Beck / Susan Garfield (1983-1987)
- 1983: Fantasy Island (TV series) - Carol Bowen / Paula Santino (1983-1984)
- 1983: All My Children (TV series) - Dr. Lynn Carson
- 1983: Policewoman Centerfold (TV movie) - Sissy Owens
- 1983: Trapper John, M.D. (TV series) - Linda D'Amico
- 1982: Cassie & Co. (TV series)
- 1982: The Day the Bubble Burst (TV movie) - Gloria Block
- 1981: Advice to the Lovelorn (TV movie) - Janice Vernon
- 1979: The Love Boat (TV series) - Connie / Gwen Winters S2 E18/ Irene (1979-1986)
- 1979: Angie (TV series) - Angie Falco Benson, 36 episodes (1979-1980)
- 1978: Rainbow (TV movie) - Jinnie Gumm
- 1978: Human Feelings (TV movie) - Gloria Prentice
- 1977: One Life to Live (TV series) - Celena Arquette
- 1977: Saturday Night Fever - Annette
5. Legacy and Evaluation
Donna Pescow's career has left a notable mark on American entertainment, particularly through her extensive work in television. Her portrayal of Annette in Saturday Night Fever remains one of her most iconic film roles, showcasing her ability to capture the essence of working-class characters. However, her most significant impact, especially in terms of social resonance, stems from her pioneering role as Dr. Lynn Carson on All My Children in the early 1980s. As the first openly lesbian character on a daytime soap opera, Pescow's performance broke new ground for LGBTQ+ representation on mainstream television, contributing to a more inclusive media landscape.
Her consistent presence in popular sitcoms like Angie, Out of This World, and Even Stevens has endeared her to multiple generations of viewers, demonstrating her versatility across comedic and dramatic genres. Beyond acting, her venture into directing for Even Stevens further highlights her multifaceted talent within the industry. Pescow's career is celebrated for its longevity, her memorable performances, and her quiet but important contributions to social visibility in the entertainment world.