80s actress who played Tom Hanks’ and Dennis Quaid’s girlfriend makes rare appearance at 72

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A popular actress known for her many roles in the 80s and later made a rare public appearance on Wednesday, and she looked as beautiful as she did during the peak of her career.

The 72-year-old actress, best known for her role in the 1983 film Jaws 3-D with Dennis Quaid, recently looked fantastic while out running errands in Los Angeles with her husband, John Fiedler, who is a producer.

Looking relaxed in a grey hoodie and green sweatpants, the Baltimore native appeared much different than when she was acting in films, like the 1986 movie Nothing in Common alongside Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason.

She became well-known for her part in the 1981 film The Four Seasons, written and directed by Alan Alda. The film was later reimagined as a Netflix series in 2025, created by Tina Fey and Steve Carell.

Many devoted viewers will always remember her as Patty Chase, Claire Danes’ mother, from the popular show My So-Called Life.

Can you guess the star?

If you said Bess Armstrong, you’re right!

Bess, born Elizabeth Key Armstrong on December 11, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland, had a childhood filled with learning. Both of her parents were teachers, and she grew up in a home surrounded by books.

Growing up with a grandfather who was Maryland’s Attorney General, it was clear this family valued intelligence and drive.

She earned her BA from Brown University in 1975, then quickly turned her sights to the stage.

I remember when Bess first started out – it was so exciting to watch her career blossom! She actually made her professional stage debut Off-Off Broadway in a show called Harmony House, and then landed her first big TV role in 1977 as Julia Peters on the CBS sitcom, On Our Own. It was a fantastic launchpad for her!

By 1978, she had landed roles in several TV movies, including “Getting Married” with Richard Thomas and “How to Pick Up Girls!” featuring Desi Arnaz Jr. She even appeared with Thomas again in a stage production of Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park,” which was later shown on HBO.

The 1980s were Bess’s heyday on the big screen. 

She gained recognition for her roles in several popular films, including ‘High Road to China’ with Tom Selleck, ‘Jaws 3-D’ alongside Dennis Quaid, and ‘The Four Seasons’ featuring Alda.

She further showcased her talent in the film Nothing in Common, acting alongside Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason, which solidified her status as a highly versatile and popular actress of the time.

Many TV viewers will always remember actress Bess Armstrong as Patty Chase, the mother of Claire Danes’ character in the popular 90s series, My So-Called Life.

The show ran for one unforgettable season from 1994 to 1995 but left a lasting impact on viewers. 

Armstrong expressed feeling honored to have been a part of the show, explaining that it had a significant impact on many viewers.

Seriously, watching her career unfold has been amazing! After her early roles, she just kept landing incredible parts on TV – I remember being thrilled to see her on Frasier, then Boston Legal was fantastic, and I was absolutely hooked when she became a regular on House of Lies! Every appearance just solidified her as a total star in my eyes.

She’s appeared in popular shows like Castle, Mad Men, NCIS, S.W.A.T., and Grey’s Anatomy, demonstrating her lasting career and ability to play diverse roles.

Off-screen, Bess has had her share of heartbreak and triumph. 

She married Fiedler, a Columbia Pictures executive, in April 1986.

Later that year, she had a daughter, but the baby was born with a severely underdeveloped brain and tragically passed away after only five and a half months.

In 1991, Armstrong bravely discussed her personal story in the book The Choices We Made, demonstrating her openness about difficult life experiences.

Oh my gosh, even at 72, Bess is just breathtaking! Seriously, she still stops people in their tracks with how graceful and captivating she is. It doesn’t even matter what she’s wearing – whether she’s just popping out to do some shopping or making one of her incredibly rare public appearances, she’s absolutely stunning. I just can’t get enough!

Whether it’s through her famous movie roles or memorable television appearances, she continues to be one of the most popular and well-loved actresses of her time.

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2025-12-21 18:34