[Watch the video interview on YouTube here]
Film Courage: How did you end up in improv class with Robin Williams?
Lynda Goodfriend, Actor/Creative Director for Acting for Film at New York Film Academy (NYFA) Los Angeles: Well, when I came to Los Angeles, I had studied very heavy method acting, never taken improv or did anything with comedy.
And people said, “Well, you look like you should do comedy.”
I said, “No, no, no. I’m a serious actress. I do method.”
They said, “But you look like you should do comedy.”
So, the first job I got was a guest star playing a random character on Happy Days.
Garry Marshall, who was the director, said, “You should get in an improv class.”
I went to the beginning class and then I was a series regular. Then I was on two series.
So being on two series, they said, “You should be in the advanced class.”
I would go home and cry every night after class. It was so hard.
There were people like Penny Marshall and Rob Reiner, etc. in there, heavy hitters who’d been doing serious improv for years.
Robin Williams was one of my classmates. When you went up on stage with Robin, you just had really, you know, it was you were a big loser.
You were never going to win because Robin would just do circles around you.
And the great thing about Robin was that nobody knew him at that time.
The great thing was that he did not edit himself.
He learned later to edit but half of the stuff he threw out there was terrible and half of it was brilliant.
His brain was so fast.
That’s why I say if you were trying to do an improv with…(Watch the video interview on YouTube here).
Our gratitude to Anthony Leone for crafting this set! And a special thanks to Christopher Pettoni for his work behind the scenes and making this possible!
About:
Lynda Goodfriend is the Creative Director for Acting for Film at New York Film Academy (NYFA) Los Angeles Lynda Goodfriend received her BFA from Southern Methodist University and did her acting study with legendary masters Lee Strasburg and Sandy Meisner. She has appeared in numerous shows on and Off-Broadway, including Good News, West Side Story, She Loves Me, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Boyfriend. For eight seasons, she played Richie’s (Ron Howard) girlfriend, Lori Beth, on the legendary sitcom Happy Days and guest-starred on shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Vega$. Onscreen, she’s appeared in Pretty Woman, Taxi Driver, The Front, Nothing in Common, and Beaches. She founded the award-winning Actors Workout Theater in NoHo as well as the Actors Workout School. Behind the scenes, she has also worked in talent management, even opening her own firm, and has directed several television projects.
CONNECT WITH LYNDA GOODFRIEND:
About:
Founded in 1992 by Jerry Sherlock, the New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides an accessible, hands-on education in filmmaking, media, and the performing arts. With a mission to make the film industry more accessible to all, NYFA empowers students from diverse backgrounds to tell powerful stories through a project-based, immersive curriculum. Students work closely with industry professionals, gaining invaluable mentorship and real-world experience while building creative, technical, and collaborative skills. NYFA’s global community includes students from over 160 countries, fostering a network of passionate storytellers. From day one, students dive into creating projects that refine their craft and prepare them for successful careers. With a focus on practical experience and individualized support, NYFA equips students with the tools and confidence to excel in the competitive world of filmmaking and the arts.
CONNECT WITH NYFA
Nyfa.edu/location/nyfa-los-angeles
Advertisement – contains affiliate links
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases)
New book from Film Courage! – See it on Payhip here
New book from Film Courage! – See it on Payhip here
