I used to have such a crush on Johanna Carlo, who played ‘Dixie’ on Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Since I have the Pee Wee Payhouse DVDs and have been watching them, I decided to see what else she’s been in. Not much. She’s had some bit parts in the 1990s and a couple in this Century, plus some TV guest appearances. But I can’t imagine such roles are enough to live on. So how does she make her living?
And my extension, how do other actors and actresses who have had a regular role and afterward only appeared occasionally and in bit parts in films, make their livings?
In her PeeWee’s Playhouse role, was she entitled to get residual payments for repeat showings? I’ve also heard that many actors work regular jobs and take acting parts on the side until their acting careers take off.
I found an article where she was being interviewed by Paul Reubens in 1994 after Quiz Show. She mentioned that A) She’d been brought up around mafiosos, and B) She’d been living with her boyfriend for the past 13 years. He’s a musician, writer and actor. I suppose that if she is still in the relationship that they might have enough income to get by. (And you never know how helpful ‘Family’ can be. )
Now there’s a perky gal. I wasn’t a TV watcher when she was on, but I remember the snazzy party dresses she wore. It sent a message: ParTÉÉ.
I was going to compliment her on her good taste in names, but it turns out she shares a name with Johann Sebastian Bach. Her last name is Italian, she could be a Giovanna. (pronounced jo-VAHN-nah, and please hold on to the nn a little longer before releasing, hum it a little, it’s musical sounding. Bellissima)
AFAIK, she only wore a dress once. It was a Christmas party, or some other party. She came in rather timidly, unsure whether people would laugh at seeing her in a dress instead of her slacks, yellow jacket and cabbie hat. She was adorable.
Miss Yvonne, ‘The Most Beautiful Woman In Puppet Land’
Dixie, the cab driver who brought the King of Cartoons to the Playhouse
Mrs. Steve, a fat matron who liked to snoop
Reba the mail lady
IMDB mentions a ‘Mrs. Rene’, but I don’t remember her.
Miss Yvonne got the most screen time. Mrs. Steve got a bit of screen time occasionally. Dixie had a line or two, but most of her appearances consisted of her coming in through the door, playing a trumpet and saying, ‘Announcing… The King of Cartoons!’ Reba had a few cynical lines when she appeared.
I wonder how much the residuals are for shows (in general). Do enough shows/movies, and I suppose you can live off of them. A lot of actors get out of show business, becoming real estate agents or something unrelated to entertainment. But some ‘keep their hands in’. It seems strange that it’s possible for an actor to have been a regular on a popular show, or maybe a couple of movies, and one might run into him working at a retail store or something.
)
I wasn’t a TV watcher when she was on, but I remember the snazzy party dresses she wore. It sent a message: ParTÉÉ.