Joan Prather, a ravishing brunette, was born on October 17, 1950, in the vibrant city of Dallas, Texas. Her early life was marked by her outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements, as she was a varsity cheerleader at Highland Park High School, where she honed her acting skills in grade-school stage productions. Moreover, she was a regular performer on the popular television show "Somethin' Else" during her high school years. Upon graduating from Highland Park High in 1968, Joan's passion for acting only intensified.
Joan's professional acting career began in 1973, and she quickly gained recognition for her memorable roles in films and television shows. Her most iconic roles include demure yet eager virgin Lola in The Single Girls (1973),stuck-up rich heiress Jane Kingston in Big Bad Mama (1974),and naive beauty pageant contestant Robin in Smile (1975). Her greatest enduring popularity, however, came with her recurring role as Janet McArthur Bradford on the popular television series Eight Is Enough (1977).
In addition to her film and television work, Joan made guest appearances on various TV shows, including Sanford and Son (1972),Happy Days (1974),The Love Boat (1977),CHiPs (1977),and Fantasy Island (1977). Despite her successful career, Joan eventually quit acting in the late 1980s.
In her personal life, Joan is married to lawyer Douglas J. Frye and resides in Malibu, California. However, her life took an unexpected turn in September 2008, when she was arrested for felony hit-and-run in Malibu and released on $50,000 bail.
