Fan mail address
Park Overall
1374 Ripley Island Rd
Afton, TN 37616-6102
USA
Address information
(Home Address)
1374 Ripley Island Rd
Afton, TN 37616-6102
USA
Park Overall is an American actress and environmental activist best known for her distinctive Southern drawl and her roles in television and film throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Born on March 15, 1957, in Greenville, Tennessee, she grew up in the South, which heavily influenced her voice and comedic style. Overall initially studied English at Tusculum College in Tennessee before moving to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. Her wit, charm, and strong Southern roots helped her stand out, particularly in Hollywood, where she became a memorable character actress known for her feisty, down-to-earth roles.
Overall first gained national attention on the TV sitcom Empty Nest, which aired from 1988 to 1995 as a popular spin-off of The Golden Girls. She played Laverne Todd, a sassy, no-nonsense nurse with a thick Southern accent, opposite Richard Mulligan’s character, Dr. Harry Weston. Laverne became an audience favorite, with Overall delivering a mix of comedic timing and heart that resonated with viewers. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and cemented her as one of TV’s most memorable character actors of the era. Her catchphrases and humor were part of what made Empty Nest a hit, and the character became a lasting element of the show’s legacy.
Beyond Empty Nest, Overall appeared in various films throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, where she often played brash, spirited characters. Some of her notable film roles include Mississippi Burning (1988), where she portrayed a waitress in the racially charged drama, and Biloxi Blues (1988), directed by Mike Nichols, where she worked alongside Matthew Broderick in a film adaptation of Neil Simon’s play. She also appeared in Kindergarten Cop (1990) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, playing a supporting role as the vivacious and funny partner to Schwarzenegger’s character. Her film roles helped showcase her versatility, moving from comedy to more dramatic fare while maintaining her unique Southern charm.
