Anne Schedeen

Luanne Ruth Schedeen (born January 8, 1949), known professionally as Anne Schedeen, is an American actress who worked primarily in television. She appeared in numerous guest-starring television roles in the 1970s before portraying the lead role of Kate Tanner on the series ALF from 1986 until 1990. Schedeen began her career in 1974, appearing in small television roles, and was cast in a supporting part in the sci-fi horror film Embryo (1976). She subsequently had recurring roles on Emergency! and Three's Company in the mid-to-late 1970s. In 1984, she was cast on the short-lived series Paper Dolls opposite Lloyd Bridges and Lauren Hutton. She appeared as Emily Phillips in the second season of the successful comedy series Cheers, before appearing in all four seasons of ALF. She later appeared in a recurring role on the series Judging Amy in 2001. Early life Luanne Ruth Schedeen was born January 8, 1949, in Portland, Oregon. Her mother, Betty Jane (née Moore) was also a native of Portland. Her father was Roland E. 'Poly' Schedeen, a farmer and former Oregon State Senator of Swedish descent. Her family name, prior to its Anglicization, was Sjodin. Schedeen has two younger siblings: a sister, Sarabeth, and brother Tony; as well as one elder half-brother, Brinkley (1946–2009), from her mother's first marriage. Schedeen described herself as an introverted child: "I was so introverted as a little girl I would hide under the skirts of the dining room table and just listen to the adults." Due to her extreme shyness, Schedeen's mother enrolled her in youth drama classes to help her become "more comfortable with the world." Schedeen studied and performed with the Portland Civic Theatre. Schedeen grew up on a farm outside Gresham, Oregon, and attended Gresham High School, graduating in 1967. After high school, Schedeen studied at Portland State University, and later, Fort Wright College in Toppenish, Washington. Her first professional acting job was performing with a dinner theater on the Kauai island of Hawaii. She subsequently relocated to New York City to pursue an acting career.