
Lee Garlington
Biography
Ann Leslie "Lee" Garlington (born July 20, 1953) is an American actress. She's known for her roles as Kirsten, Rose Nylund's (Betty White) daughter in the final season of The Golden Girls, Ronnie - the mistress of Joey Tribbiani's father on Friends, and a recurring role as Brenda Baxworth on Everwood. She was one of the stars of the series Lenny.
She has guest starred in a number of notable television series, including The West Wing, 7th Heaven, 8 Simple Rules, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Judging Amy, Will & Grace, Matlock, L.A. Law, The Practice, Quantum Leap, Home Improvement, Boston Legal, Roseanne, Get a Life, Profiler, Medium, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Two and a Half Men, Lie to Me and among other series. She also appeared in the sequels to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Psycho II (1983) and Psycho III (1986). She starred alongside Sylvester Stallone and Brigitte Nielsen in the action/thriller Cobra (1986). In Sneakers (1992), she appeared as Dr. Elena Rhyzkov, a Czechoslovakian mathematics scientist, in a scene with Robert Redford.
She was originally intended to play the lead female role in Seinfeld. She was the female regular in the pilot episode, "The Seinfeld Chronicles", playing the waitress Claire at Pete's Luncheonette. When the series was picked up, however, it was decided that having the female lead be from such a different social status compared to the rest of the cast would be unworkable, so the character of Claire was dropped and replaced by Elaine Benes.
In 2018, she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her role as Darlene in Broken.
Known For

TV
Grey's Anatomy
Fara Linden
2005

TV
NCIS
Mary Hanlan
2003

TV
The Mentalist
Betty Fulford
2008

TV
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Mrs. Frommer
2000

TV
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Mrs. Briggs
2000

TV
Desperate Housewives
Alberta Holstein
2004

TV
Friends
Ronni
1994

TV
Boston Legal
Alisa McKenzie
2004

TV
The Good Doctor
Joan
2017

TV
Crossing Jordan
Dixie
2001

TV
Seinfeld
Claire
1989

TV
Two and a Half Men
Peggy
2003

TV
Home Improvement
Joanie Graham
1991

TV
The West Wing
Alana Waterman
1999

TV
Psych
Eugenia
2006

TV
Cold Case
Carol Prosser
2003

TV
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Jessica Harris
1997

TV
Martial Law
Judge Mary Ruben
1998

TV
Medium
Marion Wheeler
2005

TV
Family Ties
Beth Davis
1982
Filmography
2025FilmSEGALas Self2025TVElectric Bloomas Ethel2022FilmThe 9th Annual On Cinema Oscar Specialas Herself2021FilmCandy Coated Christmasas Kim Winters2021FilmThe Little Thingsas Landlady2020FilmAnthony Perkins, the Actor Behind the Dooras Self - Actress2020TVP-Valleyas Georgia Anne "Georgie" Batson2019TVDead to Meas Nurse Francine2018FilmChristmas Harmonyas Debbie2017FilmHouse by the Lakeas Dr. Llywelyn2017TVThe Good Doctoras Joan2017FilmDo You Take This Manas Esther2016FilmMarried by Christmasas Bitsy Tate2016FilmHer Last Willas Ruth2016FilmBand of Robbersas Lt. Polly2015TVThe Magiciansas Dana2015FilmSafelightas Dottie2015FilmSome Kind of Beautifulas Wendy2014FilmMockingbirdas Leonard's Mom2014TVStalkeras Diane Kindrick2014FilmThe Extendablesas Paint2014TVExtantas Principal2014FilmThe Angriest Man in Brooklynas Gummy2014FilmSisteras Principal Jacobs2014FilmNorth Blvdas Liz2013TVMistressesas Eleanor2012TVEmily Owens, M.D.as Donna Fisher2012TVLongmireas Ruth2011TVSuburgatoryas Dorothy2011TVFriends with Benefitsas Billie2010FilmThe Psycho Legacyas Self2010TVGood Luck Charlieas Mrs. Krump2010FilmA Buddy Storyas Susan's Mom2009TVFlashForwardas Carlene2009FilmMrs. Washington Goes to Smithas Jane Burns2009TVSouthlandas Cathleen Kerik2009FilmPrayers for Bobbyas Psychologist2008TVChildrens Hospitalas Geraldine Peters2008FilmThe Coverupas Beeverly Thacker2008FilmPulse 2: Afterlifeas Aunt Carmen2008TVThe Mentalistas Betty Fulford2008TV90210as Judge2008FilmJust Add Wateras Penny2007TVPrivate Practiceas Stella Peterson2007TVSaving Graceas Sally Meeker2007TVThe Riches2007FilmForfeit2006TVBig Day2006TVPsychas Eugenia2006FilmAkeelah and the Beeas Regional Judge2006FilmStick Itas Head Vault Judge2006TVWhat About Brianas Mona2006TVBig Loveas Grace Ann2006FilmMrs. Harrisas Tarnower's Ex #22006FilmSomething Newas Mrs. Cahan2005TVInvasion2005TVClose to Homeas Hannah Turley2005FilmAmerican Gunas Psychologist2005FilmMortuaryas Rita2005FilmPartner(s)as Dave's Mom2005FilmA Lot Like Loveas Stewardess2005TVGrey's Anatomyas Fara Linden2005TVMediumas Marion Wheeler2004TVDesperate Housewivesas Alberta Holstein2004TVBoston Legalas Alisa McKenzie2004FilmGuarding Eddyas Helen2004FilmJohnson Family Vacationas Betty Sue2003TVCold Caseas Carol Prosser2003TVJoan of Arcadiaas Charlotte Bloom2003TVNCISas Mary Hanlan2003TVTwo and a Half Menas Peggy2003TVAll of Us2003TVNip/Tuckas Briggitte Reinholt2003TVAbby2002FilmThe Hot Chickas Vice Principal Bernard2002TV8 Simple Rulesas Fran2002TVEverwoodas Brenda Baxworth2002FilmOne Hour Photoas Waitress2002FilmLovely & Amazingas Jordan's Mom2002FilmThe Sum of All Fearsas Mary Pat Foley2001TVCrossing Jordanas Dixie2001FilmLayoveras Public Defender Boone2001FilmAmerican Pie 2as Natalie's Mom2001FilmStranger Insideas Warden Arnold2001TVSix Feet Underas Fiona Kleinschmidt2001FilmMurder, She Wrote: The Last Free Manas Laura Lee Curtis2001TVGrounded for Lifeas Louise2001TVThe Divisionas Jinny's Psychiatrist2000TVThe Districtas Nancy's Mother2000TVCSI: Crime Scene Investigationas Mrs. Frommer2000TVStrong Medicineas Cammie's Mother2000FilmForever Luluas Linda Davis2000FilmBoys and Girlsas L.A. Flight Attendant2000TVTitusas Sue2000FilmIf These Walls Could Talk 2as Georgette1999TVSnoopsas Alicia Spitz1999TVThe West Wingas Alana Waterman1999TVOnce and Again1999TVJudging Amyas Dr. Kemper1999FilmFreak Talks About Sexas Nichole's Mom1999FilmCan of Wormsas Pamela Pillsbury1998TVMartial Lawas Judge Mary Ruben1998TVWill & Graceas Annette1998TVMaximum Bobas Rosellen Fortenot1998FilmDrivenas Marian Pelton1998FilmVirtual Obsession1997TVBuffy the Vampire Slayeras Jessica Harris1997TVThe Practiceas Joel's Attorney1997FilmDante's Peakas Dr. Jane Fox1996FilmDark Skiesas Betty Hill1996TVDark Skies1996TVProfileras Dr. Frances Barry1996TVTowniesas Kathy Donovan1996TV7th Heavenas Prevaricator1996FilmSummer of Fearas Winnie1996TVNash Bridgesas Jill Reichert1995FilmThe Babysitteras Dolly Tucker1995FilmWhose Daughter is She?as Annie1995FilmSee Jane Runas Carole Garson1994TVFriendsas Ronni1994TVTouched by an Angelas Dr. Josephs1994TVChicago Hopeas Carol Sardos1994FilmReflections on a Crimeas Tina1994FilmThe Yarn Princessas Wanda1993FilmMy Lifeas Carol Sandman1993FilmThe Conviction of Kitty Doddsas Anne Williams1993FilmRiver of Rage: The Taking of Maggie Keeneas Janice1993FilmLove Mattersas Nan1993TVGrace Under Fireas Emily1993TVNYPD Blueas Rosie DePaul1993TVBakersfield P.D.as Judy Hampton1993FilmTorch Songas Phyllis1993FilmJack the Bearas Mrs. Festinger1993FilmDying to Love Youas Rita1993FilmKiss of a Killeras Helene1992FilmWhen No One Would Listenas Lee1992FilmSneakersas Dr. Elena Rhyzkov1992FilmShameas Tina Farrell1992TVArresting Behavior1992FilmHonor Thy Mother1991FilmPosing: Inspired by Three Real Storiesas Josette1991TVGood & Evil1991TVHome Improvementas Joanie Graham1991FilmThe Whereabouts of Jennyas Gina1990FilmWhen You Remember Meas Joanne1990TVGet a Lifeas Angelica1990TVLenny1990FilmBar Girlsas Shelley1990FilmMeet the Applegatesas Nita Samson1990FilmLast Flight Outas Jan1990FilmA Killing in a Small Townas Peggy Blankenship1990TVWingsas Vi1989FilmCold Sassy Treeas Mary Willis1989TVThe Nutt Houseas Angelica1989FilmOh No, Not Themas Robin/Myriam1989TVSeinfeldas Claire1989FilmField of Dreamsas Beulah Gasnick1989TVQuantum Leapas Nurse Chatam1989TVCoachas Barbara1989FilmThree Fugitivesas Woman Cop1988TVMurphy Brownas Shawnee1988TVRoseanne1988FilmThe Seventh Signas Dr. Margaret Inness1988FilmHell Comes to Frogtownas Briefing Officer1987FilmStudent Exchangeas Mrs. Whitcoms1987TVHoopermanas Gail1987FilmIn the Moodas "Schlitz" Waitress1987FilmMurder Ordainedas Lorna's Friend1987FilmSome Kind of Wonderfulas Gym Instructor1986TVSledge Hammer!1986TVL.A. Lawas Regina Furnald1986FilmCobraas Nancy Stalk1986FilmPsycho IIIas Myrna1986TVMatlockas Paula1985TVThe Golden Girlsas Kirsten Adams1985TVStingray1985FilmDo You Remember Loveas Second Mother1984FilmOvernight Sensationas Sales Girl1984TVWho's the Boss?1983TVAutoman1983FilmPsycho IIas Myrna1982TVFamily Tiesas Beth Davis1981FilmCarbon Copyas (uncredited)1981TVHill Street Blues