Pam Potillo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Pamela Margaret Potillo (1968-12-23)December 23, 1968 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | May 5, 2025(2025-05-05) (aged 56) Oviedo, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actress and voice-over artist |
| Years active | 1984–2025 |
| Spouse(s) | Mark Jones (divorced), Robert Dorman (divorced) |
| Children | 1 daughter |
Pamela Margaret Potillo (December 23, 1968 – May 5, 2025) was an American actress who was best known as Janet on The Cosby Show (1985–1990).
Life and career
Pamela Potillo was born in Trenton, New Jersey on December 23, 1968. Raised in New Jersey, Potillo began her career as one of the hosts on the weekend morning kids' news magazine Wonderama, which ran on WNEW-TV. Her role on the show was produced from 1980 to 1987.
In 1984, Potillo made her Broadway debut as Georgia Jones in Shirley Lauro's Open Admissions. She is also known for her recurring role on The Cosby Show as Vanessa Huxtable's friend Janet Meiser from 1985 to 1990. Potillo also appeared with Ben Affleck and Madeline Kahn in an episode of the ABC Afterschool Special.1
She received her B.A. from Rutgers University and an M.A. from Pepperdine University.
Potillo died in Oviedo, Florida on May 5, 2025, at the age of 57.234
Filmography
| Title | Character | Film/TV series | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1987 | Wonderama | Herself/co-host | Morning kids' show appearances |
| 1984 | A Doctor's Story (TV movie) | Carla | first acting role |
| 1984–1985 | ABC Weekend Special | Leslie Thorton/Lizbeth Collins | in 2 episode specials, "A Different Twist" and "Columbus Circle" |
| 1995 | And the Children Shall Lead5 | Rachel Henderson | TV movie |
| 1986 | My Little Girl | Georgia | First film role |
| 1987 | Spenser: For Hire | Jessie Braxton | Episode: "One for My Daughter" |
| 1987–88 | Charles in Charge | Lisa Taylor / 'Baby Doll' | 3 episodes |
| 1986–1990 | ABC Afterschool Special | Kate / Melanie | 2 episodes |
| 1985–1990 | The Cosby Show | Janet Meiser | 10 episodes |
References
References
- "Ben Affleck through the Years". CNN. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
- "Pamela Serai". Compassionate Cremations & Funerals. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- "Pamela Serai". Tribute Archive. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- "Spring 2026 Magazine". SAG-AFTRA. p. 93. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
- "'Children': So Close, and Yet So Far". Washington Post. Retrieved 15 August 2018.