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Linda Purl

Linda Purl

Actor · Born September 2, 1955 (71) · Greenwich, Connecticut, United States

Linda Purl (born September 2, 1955) is an American actress and singer, perhaps best known for portraying Charlene Matlock on Matlock.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 2, 1955 (71)
From
Greenwich, Connecticut, United States
Works as
Actor
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 96 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 16% in 30 days

What are Linda Purl's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Bonds.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror movies
Thriller2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Thriller movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
30%
Bonds
21%
Self
17%
Morality
15%
Society
12%
Power
4%
Ideas
1%
Survival11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 17 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 12 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 16 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 6 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

15 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 7 of 15 analyzed roles.

Hero
7 of 15
Ally
3 of 15
Shapeshifter
2 of 15
Shadow
2 of 15
Mentor
1 of 15
Show the 15 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Dread
8
Melancholic
8
Hopeful
8
Thrilling
4
Other
12

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Linda Purl's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Linda Purl's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

96 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Hollywood Grit(2025)

    as Eleanor Rhodes

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Paul's Promise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Minnie Holderfield

  • Doomsday Mom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Kay Woodcock

  • Hacks(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Kathy

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Broken Halos(2020)

    as Blondie

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Viral Vignettes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Judy

  • The Swing of Things(2020)

    as Sherry Fairfax-Rothstein

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Oath(2018)

    Show 7 episodes · as Gwenn

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Bender(2016)

    as Mrs. Thomas

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Designated Survivor(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Rombauer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Stalked at 17(2012)

    as Lauren

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Homeland(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Elizabeth Gaines

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Lie to Me(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Meredith Spencer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Barbara Pelt

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Maid of Honor(2006)

    as Laci Collins

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Diana Annenburg

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Office(2005)

    Show 8 episodes · as Helene Beesly

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Intent(2005)

    as Kirsten Sorensen

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Lillian Allen

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Stranger at the Door(2004)

    as Kathleen Norris

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Diane Moore (2005)

  • Fear of the Dark(2003)

    as Sandy Bilings

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Frozen Impact(2003)

    as Dr. Christy Blanchard

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • First Monday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Joan

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Perfect Tenant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Jessica Michaels

  • Holy Joe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Joan Wolrod

  • Mighty Joe Young(1998)

    as Dr. Ruth Young

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Port Charles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1,624 episodes · Actor

  • The Absolute Truth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Jean Douglas

  • Born Free: A New Adventure(1996)

    as Eleanor Porter

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Sally

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Incident at Deception Ridge(1994)

    as Helen Davis

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Robin's Hoods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 21 episodes · as Brett Robin

  • Natural Causes(1994)

    as Jessie McCarthy · as Jessie MacCarthy

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Accidental Meeting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Maryanne Bellmann

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Kelly Harris

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Conway

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Body Language (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Norma Suffield

  • Jack's Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Jane Adams

  • The Hidden Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Kate Richards

  • Before the Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kate Del 'Amico

  • Under Cover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 14 episodes · as Kate Del'Amico

  • Under Cover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kate Del'Amico

  • Web of Deceit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lauren Hale

  • Timeless Tales: Rapunzel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Rapunzel

  • Spies, Lies & Naked Thighs(1988)

    as Beverly

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Addicted to His Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Cassie Robbins

  • Viper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Laura Maculla

  • In Self Defense(1987)

    as Susan Andrews

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Bold and the Beautiful(1987)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lucy

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Samson and Delilah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Delilah (voice)

  • Dark Mansions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Shellane Victor

  • Pleasures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Eve Harper

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 24 episodes · as Charlene Matlock

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Outrage! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Arlene Robbins

  • The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Lisa Tate

  • Midas Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Sarah Corey

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Crystal Wendle · as Laura Callan · as Terry Shannon

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Last Days of Pompeii (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · as Nydia

  • Money on the Side(1982)

    as Annie Gilson

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Visiting Hours(1982)

    as Sheila Munroe

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Manions of America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · as Deirdre O'Manion

  • The Adventures of Nellie Bly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Nellie Bly

  • The High Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Kathy

  • The Night the City Screamed(1980)

    as Brenda Farrell

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Leo and Loree(1980)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Black Market Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Anne Macarino

  • The Flame Is Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Emmaline Nevada 'Vada' Holtz

  • Like Normal People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Virginia Rae Hensler

  • Women at West Point(1979)

    as Jennifer Scott

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • A Last Cry for Help(1979)

    as Sharon Muir

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Young Pioneers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 3 episodes · as Molly Beaton

  • What Really Happened to the Class of '65? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Anne Lester

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Testimony of Two Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mavis Eaton

  • Little Ladies of the Night(1977)

    as Hailey Atkins

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Young Pioneers' Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Molly Beaton

  • Having Babies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Laura Gorman

  • State Fair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Bobbie Jean Shaw

  • W.C. Fields and Me(1976)

    as Ingenue

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Young Pioneers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Molly Beaton

  • Eleanor and Franklin(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · as Alice Roosevelt, Age 14-20

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Medical Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Kim

  • Beacon Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 11 episodes · as Betsy Bullock

  • Crazy Mama(1975)

    as Cheryl

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Sons and Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Happy Days(1974)

    Show 22 episodes · as Ashley Pfister · as Gloria

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Jory(1973)

    as Amy Barron

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Waltons(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Vanessa

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Walking Major (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Rose Allen

  • Medical Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Leslie

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Ruth Martin

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Time Travelers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Farrington's Daughter

  • The Secret Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 319 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 86th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 96 titles from 1954 to 2025; peak year 1981.

Biggest box office

Mighty Joe Young (1998)

$51M worldwide

Highest rated

Mighty Joe Young (1998)

Midcredits 36th

Film career

19542025

Peak 1981 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting96 of 96: 96 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score32nd

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s3 · acting1970s24 · acting1980s21 · acting1990s21 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s5 · acting2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Linda Purl's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 27th percentile, the median of all 26; across their 23 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 26th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Approval · how many liked their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 46 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed22

Most divisive · actor

Broken Halos (2020)

98th percentile spread · 49% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Office (2005)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 56/100 in their films, across 21 reviewed titles; fans 71, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Linda Purl work with?

People who share at least 2 of Linda Purl's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Pierre David shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers