Jamie Luner (born May 12, 1971) is an American actress. She is widely known for her roles as Cindy Lubbock on Just the Ten of Us (1988–1990), Peyton Richards on Savannah (1996–1997), Lexi Sterling on Melrose Place (1997-1999) and Rachel Burke on Profiler (1999-2000). More recently, she portrayed Liza Colby on All My Children (2009–2011) and Cassie Siletti on Murder in the First (2015-2016).

Jamie Luner
Luner in 2019
Born (1971-05-12) May 12, 1971 (age 53)[1]
OccupationActress
Years active1975–present

Early life

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Jamie Luner was born in Palo Alto, California on May 12, 1971 to Susan and Stuart Luner.[2] She has an older brother, David Luner, who also has had a robust career in entertainment business.[3] Luner attended Beverly Hills High School.[4] Luner was heavily involved in the drama department during her high school career, and at age fifteen she won LA's Shakespeare Festival for the Individual Monologues category in 1988.[5][6]

In between filming Growing Pains and Just the Ten of Us, Luner and her mom moved to New York to pursue Jamie's studies in entertainment.[7] During 1986-1987, she attended the PCS Professional Children's School, which was established for providing working youth in the entertainment business with a basic education and curriculum.[8] Simultaneously, she also studied at HB Studios to study dance with prominent musical theater savant Ann Reinking.

At age sixteen, the producers of Growing Pains asked her to audition for their new spin-off Just the Ten of Us, and upon being cast for the role, Luner returned to California.

In 1994, when Luner was just 23, she decided to pursue her passion for cooking and attended one of LA's top culinary schools, the Epicurean School of Culinary Arts, to study the fundamentals of fine french cuisine.[9]

Following three and a half decades worth of starring in films and television, in 2011 Luner went on to receive a masters in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica.[10]

"I love learning and I wanted to further my education. I've always been on the spiritual path, and as a storyteller, the human psyche truly fascinates me. Brilliantly, school was set up as "experiential learning," so what I didn't expect was the profound internal transformation that occurred. It's been the gift that keeps on giving."

Career

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1975–1994

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Luner's first role was playing the daughter of Suzanne Somers in a Crown Tissues commercial in 1975 at just four years old.[11] From then on, she appeared regularly in commercials, making ten of them before the age of nine.[12] Luner made her first television show appearance when she landed the role as the infamous Sheena ‘Woo Woo' Berkowitz in the hit sitcom Growing Pains (1987-1990).[13] Although she was cast in only one episode to play one of three prom dates of main character Mike Seaver who was played by Kirk Cameron, she was often referenced throughout the rest of the series.[14]

The very next year, Luner went on to star as Cindy Lubbock in the Growing Pains spinoff, Just the Ten of Us (1988–1990), where she played the daughter of Coach Graham Lubbock portrayed by actor Bill Kirchenbauer.[15] It also starred Heather Langenkamp, Brooke Theiss and JoAnn Willette as Luner's fictional sisters.[16]

She went on to play in Married… with Children (1992) on Fox with Christina Applegate and Ed O'Neill and the police drama Reasonable Doubts (1993) alongside Marlee Matlin.[17]

Following her roles in these series, she landed her first film lead in 1993 as Diana Moffitt in a television movie Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter?, starring opposite Linda Gray and Antonio Sabàto, Jr..[18]

Luner continued with a succession of television films, most notably Confessions of a Sorority Girl (1994) which debuted on Showtime and was directed by Uli Edel and co-starred Alyssa Milano.[19]

Her first role in a multitude of crime dramas was Diagnosis Murder (1994), with renowned actor Dick Van Dyke.[20]

1994–2000

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In 1994, Luner expanded her education and passion for cooking and joined the Epicurean School of Culinary Arts which taught classical French cuisine in Los Angeles, California.

"I grew up in a very food-oriented family, a lot of cooking, a lot of eating, and I have a passion for it, so I put myself through culinary school."[21]

[22]

 
Jamie Luner & Aaron Spelling

Luner's major rise to prominence came in 1996, when she was cast for the first of many times by well-known producer Aaron Spelling.[23] She joined the series as southern vixen Peyton Richards in the prime-time soap opera, Savannah (1996–1997), which was the signature show on the newly-launched WB Television Network.[24][25] Luner starred alongside other notable actors such as Robyn Lively, Shannon Sturges, George Eads, Ray Wise, and Mimi Kennedy.[26] Luner had moved to Atlanta, Georgia during the filming of this series, and once it concluded, bought an airstream and traveled the United States for eight months before landing on a lot in Malibu.[27]

It was not long before Spelling then invited her to play Lexi Sterling on the iconic television series Melrose Place (1997-1999), for which Luner's performance gained global recognition.[28] During these final two and a half seasons, the show followed her rivalry with Amanda Woodward played by Heather Locklear, ultimately portraying Luner's character as the alpha female.[29]

Soon thereafter, Luner received an invitation from the NBC network to replace Ally Walker on Profiler (1997-2000).[30][31] She played the role as Rachel Burke alongside Robert Davi, Roma Maffia, and Julian McMahon until the show came to a close at the end of its fourth season in 2000.[32]

Luner's character also appeared in a cross-over episode on The Pretender (1998-2000), a television series that had a shared universe with Profiler.[33]

2000–2020

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Following the conclusion of Profiler, Luner starred alongside Michael Madsen and Diane Farr in the thriller Sacrifice (2000).

In November of the same year, she played in The Drew Carey Show (2000), with eponymous host Drew Carey.

Around that time, Luner also decided to attend a program at a cake decorating school for eight months.[34]

Luner had guest appearances on several series including That's Life (2001) and CSI: Miami (2002) with David Caruso.[35]

Between 2003-2004, Luner was cast as a series regular in another Spelling drama to play the role as Senior Deputy Ryan Layne in 10-8: Officers on Duty with Ernie Hudson and Danny Nucci.[36]

In 2004, Luner guest-starred in an episode of NCIS, with well-known actors Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly.[37]

In the early 2000's, Luner starred in many thrillers such as Stranger in My Bed (2005), Blind Injustice (2005), The Suspect (2006), The Perfect Marriage (2006).[38]

In 2006, she also guest-starred in The War at Home with Michael Rapaport, and Rami Malek.[39] And in 2007, she had a guest appearance in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation with Marg Helgenberger on CBS.[40]

 
Jamie Luner graduating from University of Santa Monica

Another one of Luner's most well-known works was as a series regular in All My Children (2009-2011) as Liza Colby for 296 episodes, with Chrishell Stause and Susan Lucci.[41]

Luner went on to pursue her lifelong passion in spiritual wellness. She attended USM during 2011 and 2012, ultimately learning life-lasting skills and knowledge on self-awareness and healing.[42]

Following the conclusion of this series, Luner had a guest appearance in the cult classic dark fantasy Supernatural (2012) on CW.[43]

She went on to guest star in the police procedural crime drama Criminal Minds (2013) with Matthew Gray Guebler and Shemar Moore.[44] That same year she landed a role in The Glades (2013) on A&E, and played the main villainess in The Perfect Boss (2013).[45]

 
Jamie Luner & Steven Bochco

The following year, she had a comedic appearance on Two and a Half Men (2014) with Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher, and also guest-starred in the fantasy horror drama True Blood (2014).[46]

The next year, Luner played in the medical drama Code Black with lead woman Marcia Gay Harden.[47] Later, she landed an enticing role in the then up-and-coming legal drama Better Call Saul (2015) with Bob Odenkirk, which was written by Vince Gilligan.[48]

Between 2015–2016 Luner landed a recurring role as Cassie Siletti in Murder in the First with Currie Graham, Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson. At first, she had only been signed on for two episodes, but once producer Steven Bochco saw the chemistry on screen between her and Graham, they became the ‘television couple to watch' and the producers decided to keep her on for the entirety of the next season.[49]

"It was exciting to watch Bochco expand my storyline with Currie Graham, and I am so blessed to work with him. It is a rare experience when you get an acting partner that you're so in sync with. Showing up that way raises the bar."[50]

In 2016 she played the lead character in A Mother's Revenge (aka Trial), and a year later she played the protagonist in A Lover Betrayed (2017) with Maurice Benard.[51]

2020–Present

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Jamie Luner on set

In 2019, Luner produced her first movie, The Christmas High Note (2020), for which she also starred as lead, and both wrote her first song and performed it in the movie.[52][53] This movie premiered on "It's a Wonderful Lifetime" holiday lineup that year.[54]

That same year, Luner went to Sofia, Bulgaria to produce and co-star in the romantic comedy Lost & Found in Rome (2021).[55] The last day of filming coincided with the first day of shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic, and Luner returned to Los Angeles.

Only a couple months into COVID-19, Luner returned to Bulgaria to produce the movies Valley of Love (2023) and I'm with Me (2023).[56][57] While filming for most movies slowed down during the pandemic, Luner was able to produce these in the countryside where the laws for social distancing were not as limiting.[58]

That same year she produced another film For Better or Worse (2023) and played the main character.[59]

Appearances

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In 1997, she was invited to The Rosie O'Donnell Show with eponymous host Rosie O'Donnell.[60]

That same year she was invited to the syndicated radio talk show Loveline.[61]

Luner was invited to the Martin Short Show with Martin Short along with Conan O'Brien in 1999.[62]

The following year she was invited back to The Tonight Show with Jay Leno alongside William Shatner.[63]

In 2009, Luner was invited to attend the talk show The View, and was interviewed about her roles on Melrose Place and All my Children by the hosts including Joy Behar and Sherri Shephard, Whoopi Goldberg.[64]

That same year, she attended the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony with her grandmother.[65]

Theater

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Jamie Luner in a theater production

Luner was cast in the musical Li'l Abner, which is based on the comic strip Li'l Abner by Al Capp.[66] It was produced by Tony Award winner Jason Alexander at the UCLA Theater.[67]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1993 Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter? Diana Moffitt Television film
1994 The St. Tammany Miracle Lootie
1994 Tryst Mindy
1994 Moment of Truth: Cradle of Conspiracy Donna Television film
1994 Confessions of a Sorority Girl Sabrina Masterson Television film
1999 Friends & Lovers Model
1999 The Force Stacey Television film
2000 Sacrifice Naomi Cohen Television film
2002 Warrior Eldoran's Girl Friend
2003 Threshold Savannah Bailey Television film
2005 The Suspect Beth James Television film
2005 Blind Injustice Diana Scott Television film
2005 Stranger in My Bed Sara Hansen Television film
2006 The Perfect Marriage Marrianne Danforth/Annie Grayson Television film
2007 Nuclear Hurricane Linda Television film
2009 Heat Wave Kate Jansen Television film
2009 Trust Sandra Television film
2012 Walking the Halls Holly Benson Television film
2012 Stalked at 17 Trini Marshall Television film
2013 The Perfect Boss Jessica Slate Television film
2013 Out of Reach Dianne
2013 The Cheating Pact Ms. Walters Television film
2015 The Wrong Girl Ashley Allen Television film
2015 The Bride He Bought Online Rihanne Lindstrom Television film
2016 Trial Jennifer Clarke Television film, also executive producer
2016 A Mother's Revenge Jennifer Clark Television film
2017 A Lover Betrayed Tess Nolans Television film, also executive producer
2018 Deadly Runaway Suzanne Television film
2019 My Adventures with Santa La Befana Also associate producer
2019 Tell Me I Love You Julie
2020 The Christmas High Note Rachel Television film
2021 Lost & Found in Rome Diana Jensen Television film
2022 For Better or Worse Jessa Putman Television film, also executive producer
2022 Valley of Love Television film, producer
2022 I'm with Me Television film, producer

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1987–1990 Growing Pains Cindy / Kara Daye / Sheena Berkowitz 4 episodes
1988–1990 Just the Ten of Us Cindy Lubbock Main cast
1992 Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures Roxanne TV pilot
1992 Married with Children Gerri Episode: "Frat Chance"
1993 Reasonable Doubts Tiffany Beaman Episode: "Crumbling Systems"
1994 Diagnosis Murder Kimmy Marlowe Episode: "The Last Laugh: Part One"
1994 Rebel Highway Sabrina Masterson Episode: "Confessions of a Sorority Girl"
1996–1997 Savannah Peyton Richards Massick Main cast
1997–1999 Melrose Place Lexi Sterling Main cast (seasons 6–7)
1999–2000 Profiler Rachel Burke Title character (season 4)
2000 The Pretender Rachel Burke Episode: "Spin Doctor" (Profiler crossover)
2000 The Drew Carey Show Jenny Episode: "Drew and Kate Become Friends"
2001 The Outer Limits Candace Maguire Episode: "Mind Reacher"
2001 That's Life Samantha Richardson 3 episodes
2002 CSI: Miami Nikki Olson Episode: "Breathless"
2003–2004 10-8: Officers on Duty Senior Deputy Ryan Layne 8 episodes
2004 NCIS Amanda Reed / Lt. Cmdr. Hamilton Voss Episode: "Dead Man Talking"
2006 The War at Home Jodi Episode: "Three's Company"
2007 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Elizabeth Rodriguez Episode: "Lying Down with Dogs"
2009–2011 All My Children Liza Colby 312 episodes
2012 Supernatural Annie Hawkins Episode: "Of Grave Importance"
2013 Criminal Minds Madison Riley Episode: "Magnum Opus"
2013 The Glades Willa Garbett Episode: "Happy Trails"
2014 Two and a Half Men Tracy Episode: "Lotta Delis in Little Armenia"
2014 True Blood Amanda H-Vamp Episode: "Death Is Not the End"
2014 Heartbreakers Teresa Stone Miniseries
2015 Better Call Saul Dreamy Woman Episode: "Mijo"
2015–2016 Murder in the First Cassie Siletti Recurring role
2015 Code Black Candace Clark Episode: "Cardiac Support"

References

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  1. ^ "Jamie Luner | Movies and Filmography". AllMovie.
  2. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  3. ^ "David Luner: EVP, Worldwide Television Marketing MGM Studios". Variety. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  4. ^ "The 411: Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  5. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  6. ^ (December 31, 2020). "How Cindy Lubbock Catapulted Jamie Luners Career?". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  7. ^ (December 31, 2020). "How Cindy Lubbock Catapulted Jamie Luners Career?". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "The 411: Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  9. ^ (December 31, 2020). "How Cindy Lubbock Catapulted Jamie Luners Career?". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  10. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "The 411: Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  12. ^ "The 411: Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  13. ^ (December 31, 2020). "How Cindy Lubbock Catapulted Jamie Luners Career?". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  14. ^ StartTV Staff (November 6, 2018). "How They Got Their Start: Jamie Luner". StartTV. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "How Cindy Lubbock Catapulted Jamie Luners Career?". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  16. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  17. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  18. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  19. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  20. ^ (July 31, 2021). "Jamie Luner: A Star Who Donned Many Hats". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  21. ^ Levinsky, Mara (October 16, 2017). "Catching up with Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  22. ^ (December 31, 2020). "How Cindy Lubbock Catapulted Jamie Luners Career?". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  23. ^ "The 411: Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved March 24, 2024
  24. ^ Scott, Tony (January 26, 1999). "Savannah". Variety. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  25. ^ (July 31, 2021). "Jamie Luner: A Star Who Donned Many Hats". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  26. ^ Scott, Tony (January 26, 1999). "Savannah". Variety. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
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  28. ^ (July 31, 2021). "Jamie Luner: A Star Who Donned Many Hats". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  29. ^ Sollosi, Mary (January 25, 2023). "Melrose Place cast: Where are they now?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  30. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  31. ^ Weinstein, Farrah (February 13, 2000). "Style & Substance: Jamie Luner". New York Post. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  32. ^ "Profiler (TV series)". Wikipedia. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  33. ^ Gooseberry DreamTV (September 15, 2023). "Jamie Luner in ‘The Pretender'/'Profiler' Crossover". YouTube. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  34. ^ Levinsky, Mara (October 16, 2017). "Catching up with Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  35. ^ Balogun, Oyin (January 19, 2020). "Inside the Life of Actress Jamie Luner after ‘Just the Ten of Us' ended". AmoMama. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  36. ^ (November 9, 2003). "10-8: Officers on Duty - Season 1, Episode 7 ‘Late for School'". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  37. ^ Balogun, Oyin (January 19, 2020). "Inside the Life of Actress Jamie Luner after ‘Just the Ten of Us' ended". AmoMama. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  38. ^ (July 31, 2021). "Jamie Luner: A Star Who Donned Many Hats". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  39. ^ Balogun, Oyin (January 19, 2020). "Inside the Life of Actress Jamie Luner after ‘Just the Ten of Us' ended". AmoMama. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  40. ^ Balogun, Oyin (January 19, 2020). "Inside the Life of Actress Jamie Luner after ‘Just the Ten of Us' ended". AmoMama. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  41. ^ "Jamie Luner joins All My Children Cast!". Soaps.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  42. ^ (December 31, 2020). "Jamie Luner: Interesting Things About the Actress". Medium. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  43. ^ Levinsky, Mara (October 16, 2017). "Catching up with Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  44. ^ Roots, Kimberly (January 23, 2013). "What to Watch Wednesday: A Horror Story Ends, Arrow Vs. Diggle, Necessary Roughness and More". TVLine. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  45. ^ Clifford, Kambra (May 24, 2013). "Kick Off the Weekend With a Soap Star-Studded Movie". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  46. ^ Balogun, Oyin (January 19, 2020). "Inside the Life of Actress Jamie Luner after ‘Just the Ten of Us' ended". AmoMama. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  47. ^ Levinsky, Mara (October 16, 2017). "Catching up with Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  48. ^ Balogun, Oyin (January 19, 2020). "Inside the Life of Actress Jamie Luner after ‘Just the Ten of Us' ended". AmoMama. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  49. ^ Levinsky, Mara (October 16, 2017). "Catching up with Jamie Luner". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  50. ^ Doe, John (September 7, 2016). "Jamie Luner on possible Savannah reunion". YouTube. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  51. ^ KTLA 5 (September 9, 2017). "Jamie Luner & Maurice Benard Chat About Boxing, Candy & ‘A Lover Betrayed'". YouTube. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  52. ^ Clifford, Kambra (December 10, 2020). "All My Children Alum Jamie Luner stars in The Christmas High Note". Soap Central. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  53. ^ December 22, 2020). "Jamie Luner - The Christmas High Note". StarryMag.
  54. ^ Highman, Kari (December 22, 2020). "Lifetime's 'The Christmas High Note' Starring Jamie Luner & Johnny Messner, See Trailer & Full Cast List". Feeling the Vibe Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  55. ^ Free Dolphin Entertainment (November 24, 2020). "Lost & Found in Rome - Official Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  56. ^ Free Dolphin Entertainment (February 16, 2024). "I'm With Me - Official Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  57. ^ Free Dolphin Entertainment (August 27, 2021). "Valley of Love - Official Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  58. ^ McNary, Dave (May 8, 2020). "Film News Roundup: Kaniehtiio Horn Romantic Comedy ‘Tell Me I Love You' Lands at Vision Films". Variety. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  59. ^ Free Dolphin Entertainment (January 3, 2022). "For Better or Worse - Official Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  60. ^ Rosie O'Donnell (July 26, 2022). "Jamie Luner Interview - ROD show, Season 2 Episode 36, 1997". YouTube. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  61. ^ LoveLine (July 30, 2030). "LoveLine (TV Show) #144 (feat. Jamie Luner)". YouTube. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  62. ^ Aired on November 1, 1999. "The Martin Short Show: Season 1 Episode 43". Simkl.com. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  63. ^ "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno episodes (2000-2009)". Wikipedia. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  64. ^ Soapoperasource (April 24, 2009). "AMC's Jamie Luner (Liza Colby) on ‘The View'". YouTube. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  65. ^ (August 30, 2009). "Daytime Emmys: Arrivals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  66. ^ Morgan, Terry (February 7, 2008). "Li'l Abner". Variety. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  67. ^ Spindle, Les (October 3, 2019). "Li'l Abner". Backstage. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
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