Valerie Landsburg (born August 12, 1958) is an American actress, television and film director, screenwriter, and singer-songwriter.
[1] She is best known for her portrayal of Doris Schwartz in the 1982 series Fame, interpreting, for television, the role that Maureen Teefy had originated in the film.
Shortly after Landsburg left the show in 1985, she co-starred in two different comedy TV series, which practically ran at the same time.
In addition to acting, Landsburg has directed several feature films and episodic television shows.
She began drinking as a teenager and her problem worsened while she was appearing on Fame although she managed to keep her habits from affecting her work.