dinner; I would read her stories and tuck her in at night.”
Returning to “Happy Days” on August 1, 1982, in her new role as Fonzie’s steady girlfriend Ashley Pfister, 26-year-old Linda Purl radiated polished, demure elegance. A delicate string of pearls and a pastel floral dress complemented her softly curled shoulder-length hair and feathered bangs, which framed wide, expressive blue eyes and a subtle, knowing smile. | Source: Getty Images
Linda felt deeply honored that Heather’s mother trusted her with the little girl. She also believed their closeness strengthened what audiences saw between Ashley and Heather onscreen.
Tragically, Heather died in 1988 at only 12 years old. Decades later, Linda still struggled to comprehend the loss of the sweet child who had once shared her dinners and bedtime stories.
Posing alongside Duncan Regehr in 1984, 28-year-old Linda Purl showcased an eclectic mid-1980s style with bright red button earrings and a vibrant red mandarin-collared jacket adorned with butterfly appliqués. Her shoulder-length honey curls and soft curtain bangs framed cheekbones that had grown noticeably more sculpted, accentuating a warm, confident smile that signaled her blossoming maturity. | Source: Getty Images
“It was devastating for everyone, and we were all in shock. It still makes no sense,” she said. “She was a sweet, darling girl.”
That heartbreak never erased Linda’s gratitude for “Happy Days.” The series gave her enduring friendships, including one with Henry Winkler, whom she continued to see at autograph events and contact from time to time.
Gazing out through a car window with quiet intensity, 30-year-old Linda Purl brought gothic suspense to life in the 1986 ABC television movie “Dark Mansions”, filmed in Mendocino, California. A deep crimson blazer layered over an intricate high-neck lace blouse emphasized her refined jawline and porcelain complexion, while soft, golden-blonde curls with rolled fringe framed her striking, wide blue eyes. | Source: Getty Images
And her personal life placed her startlingly close to one of the women who helped invent American television comedy. Linda was briefly married to Desi Arnaz Jr., making Lucille Ball her mother-in-law.
For any actress, entering the family of the “I Love Lucy” legend could have been intimidating, but Linda remembered something much gentler. “I loved her dearly,” she said of Lucille. “She was very supportive of us and me.“
