Home   >   Movie Stars   >   R   >   Debra Jo Rupp

Debra Jo Rupp

Debra Jo Rupp is no stranger to playing mothers since she appeared in the recurring starring role as Kitty Forman, the endearing, yet high-strung mom in FOX's long-running hit series That '70s Show. Throwing her boundless energy, comedic prowess and limitless talent into every role she undertakes, Rupp has many memorable performances on Broadway and in film to her credit.

Born in Glendale, California and raised in Massachusetts, Rupp made her stage debut in the third grade, but her big break came as an adult with the starring role in Cynthia Heimel's acerbic play about modern-day relationships, A Girl's Guide to Chaos. Rupp's Broadway credits include Frankie and Johnnie in the Claire De Lune as well as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, opposite Kathleen Turner and Charles Durning. In addition, she starred in Noises Off at the Cape Playhouse in Nantucket, MA.

On the small screen, Rupp has starred in over a dozen sitcoms, including Davis Rules, Avis Rules, If Not For You, The Jeff Foxworthy Show and The Office. She also had memorable recurring roles as Phoebe's sister-in-law on Friends and Jerry Seinfeld's booking agent on Seinfeld. In addition, she has appeared in such telefilms as NBC's In the Line of Duty with Tim Daly; FOX's The Invaders with Scott Bakula; and the HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon, directed by Sally Field.

Rupp made her feature film debut in the box-office hit, Big, opposite Tom Hanks. Her other film credits include Dan Aykroyd's wife in Sgt. Bilko, Death Becomes Her with Goldie Hawn; Clockwatchers with Toni Collette and Parker Posey and Lucky Thirteen with Lauren Graham. In addition, Rupp voiced the schoolteacher, Mrs. Helperman in the Emmy award-winning ABC animated series, Teacher's Pet, which also featured the voices of Nathan Lane and Jerry Stiller, and she recreated the role for the feature film of the same name released theatrically by Disney in January 2004.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2007.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Debra Jo Rupp Facts

OccupationActress
BirthdayFebruary 24, 1951 (73)
SignPisces
BirthplaceGlendale, California, USA
Height5' 4" (1m63)  How tall is Debra Jo Rupp compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Super Buddies
Men Plan, God Laughs
Air Buddies
Woman Scorned
Spooky Buddies
Infiltrated
She Wants Me
That '70s Show
Disney's Teacher's Pet
Kickin' It Old Skool
Continue » Find more details on the Debra Jo Rupp Movies page