Valerie Landsburg Cast Member of the Month

 

Valerie Landsburg was born on 12th August 1958 making her star sign Leo. People born on this date have been characterized as being ambitious, honest and having a special talent for connecting to other people.

Born in Manhattan, New York City Valerie was raised by her parents Sally and Alan in Los Angeles; “I grew up in a television environment but I didn't grow up in a show business family. My father was a producer and my mother was a college professor and writer. I went to Beverly Hills High, so I went to school with movie star kids”.

After High School, Valerie worked in her father's TV production office, learning invaluable behind the scenes lessons. She then got her first acting role on the TV show “The Kids from C.A.P.E.R” in 1976.

Having signed with an agent she starred in the 1978 film “Thank God It’s Friday”, followed by “The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal” TV movie in 1979 and the Neil Simon play “I Ought To Be In Pictures”.

Valerie auditioned for the 1980 Fame Movie and was stunned not to get the part. Undeterred she auditioned for the TV series and this time was successful. She played Doris Schwartz for the first 4 seasons from 1982 to 1985 and returned for the final episodes in 1987. starring in a total of 81 episodes.

During her time on the show Valerie co-wrote the episode “Signs” and in her final year she got her first opportunity to direct on the episode “Reflections”; “It’s one of the things I’m still proudest of as a director”. 

In 1984 Valerie married her long time partner James McVay and all the Fame cast attended. They had 2 children, Taylor and Brooklyn. Taylor features as baby Jenny in the final episode of Fame. Valerie describes her children as her greatest works to date. The couple remained together for over 20 years and now class each other as brother and sister. 

After leaving Fame Valerie co-starred in, “You Again?” and “All Is Forgiven”, with recurring roles in “Hotel” and “Dream On”. Valerie has appeared in a dozen made-for-TV movies with guest appearances on other TV series including “Murder, She Wrote”, “Beverly Hills, 90210”, “Empty Nest”, “Nip/Tuck” and “The Unit” as well as appearing in numerous stage plays.

As well as acting Valerie has a real passion for directing and has directed several feature films and television shows. She also directed the music video for The Friends of Fame song “Satellite”.

 In 2001, Valerie released her first solo album of mostly her own compositions, called “Grownup” and among the tracks was a re-recording of "Hi Fidelity".

Currently living in Maine with her partner Jim, Valerie has worked as on/off set coach for both actors and directors. She travels extensively teaching at colleges and universities as well as conducting her own workshops for actors, writers and directors.

Valerie’s last project is the independent film “Love & Debt” which has been a couple of years in the making, but is a real labour of love. Originally titled “Offer & Compromise”, Valerie is the director and she worked very hard crowd funding to raise the money to get the film produced.

In 2019 and 2022 Valerie was a major part of the Fame UK Reunions. Having been a friend of producer, Sue Hinds for many years. In 2022 Valerie performed her first U.K. concert of her own music in Liverpool.

“There is something very special about coming back to the UK for this concert. I was sent to London to do press for FAME in 1982. I was bowled over by the effect the show had in the U.K. None of us had any idea. Coming back again to perform feels like a perfect circle, back to these roots with the fans!”

Valerie works hard in her local community in Maine and is currently working on a project to  renovate an old theatre space in the town and is working on a second solo album which will hopefully be released in the next year. Although she states herself that timescales get pushed when she is involved in other projects..

“Do I have regrets? Would I change anything? No. Every bit of it made me the person I am today.”