Sandy Duncan

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Sandra Kay "Sandy" Duncan (born February 20, 1946) is an American singer and actress of stage and television. Her most notable trademarks are her pixie blonde hairdo and her perky demeanor. She was born in Henderson, Texas. Among her most prominent roles is playing Sandy Hogan on the sitcom The Hogan Family.

A brilliant dancer, she also captivated Broadway audiences with her engaging personality. In 1970, she was named one of the "most promising faces of tomorrow" by TIME magazine. In 1971, she starred in the television series Funny Face (later renamed The Sandy Duncan Show). Her performance as Missy Anne Reynolds in the miniseries Roots earned her an Emmy Award. In 1976, she was a guest star in an episode of the first season of The Muppet Show. It was then that she went back to Broadway for many years. Notable performances include her 1979 stint as the title role in Peter Pan, My One and Only, and Chicago.

She has also been nominated for a Tony Award three times: as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical), in 1969 for Canterbury Tales, and as Best Actress (Musical), in 1971 for a revival of The Boy Friend, and in 1980 for Peter Pan.

In the 1970s, she was treated for a tumor behind her left eye, which damaged the optic nerve. She lost the sight in the eye, but is still able to move it normally. She does not, despite rumors, have a glass eye.^[1]

In 1987, she joined the cast of Valerie's Family (which was previously titled Valerie, and soon to be retitled The Hogan Family) after Valerie Harper left the show abruptly over financial matters (she was later vindicated in court). Sandy filled the role of mother as Sandy Hogan, the patriarch's sister.

In 1988, she did the first three Barney and the Backyard Gang videos as Michael and Amy's mother. She has been in many traveling stage productions, including The King and I.

She also appeared on Law & Order as a charming but dogged defense attorney, who personally delivers papers to Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) because of "the cost of delivery service".

She also made a "guest appearance" in the popular cartoon series The New Scooby Doo Movies.

In the 1970s, she was a frequent guest on game shows, including The Hollywood Squares and What's My Line?

She also served as spokesperson for Nabisco's snack cracker brand Wheat Thins in many TV commercials throughout the 1970s and 1980s.