Liz Torres

Elizabeth Larrieu Torres (born September 27, 1947) is an American actress, singer, and comedian. Torres is best known for her role as Mahalia Sanchez in the NBC comedy series The John Larroquette Show (1993–1996), for which she received two Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations. She is also known for her role as Patricia "Miss Patty" LaCosta in The WB family comedic drama series Amy Sherman-Palladino's Gilmore Girls (2000–07) starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. In the 1970s, she played Julie Erskine on Phyllis and also had a recurring role as Teresa Betancourt on All in the Family. Career Torres started her career as a comedian and singer working the city's night club circuit with her friend Bette Midler. In 1971, she was spotted doing one of her acts by the producer of Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show who invited her to do a stand-up comedy skit on the show. She made her film debut in 1969 playing a prostitute in a low-budget movie titled Utterly Without Redeeming Social Value. In 1973, Torres played Morticia in The Addams Family Fun House, which was a musical version of the original series. From 1975 to 1976, she was a regular cast member on the CBS sitcom, Phyllis, Cloris Leachman's spin-off series from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, succeeding the late Barbara Colby in the role of Julie Erskine. In 1975, she recorded a disco music single called "Hustle Latino" on RCA Records (RCA 10519) arranged, conducted and produced by Michael Zager and appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand to perform the number. In 1976, she played "Cat" in TV's musical special Pinocchio starring Sandy Duncan, as well as a semi-regular panelist on Break the Bank. On November 26, 1976, she played Redd Foxx's ex-maid, when he was roasted on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast. In early 1981, she co-starred opposite Marla Gibbs in Checking In, a short-lived spin-off of The Jeffersons. She had the recurring role on All in the Family as Teresa Betancourt, a wise-cracking nurse who checked Archie into the hospital when he needed a gallbladder operation and then became a boarder at the Bunker house. She also guest starred on Starsky & Hutch, Love, American Style, Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Knots Landing, Mama's Family, Tracey Takes On..., Ally McBeal, and The Nanny.