Rhonda Bates
Rhonda Bates (born 1949) is an American actress.
Bates was best known for playing geeky, man-hungry, hillbilly tomboys in TV shows and films of the 1970s. She was a gangly 6'2" tall with a wide toothy smile, curly hair and an unmistakable southern down-home drawl.
Early life
Bates grew up in Evansville, Indiana. She received her Masters degree in drama from the University of Arkansas. She was a member of Chi Omega Fraternity and so is her daughter. She then taught health and physical education at Cynthia Heights Elementary School in Evansville before heading for California in 1975.
Career
Bates first received attention doing a standup comedy act at The Comedy Store. She was noticed by a producer who hired her for a Don Rickles TV special.
In 1975, Bates was hired as a featured player on the short-lived variety sketch show Keep on Truckin' featuring Didi Conn, Fred Travalena and Wayland Flowers.
Bates became a semi-regular on Rickles' sitcom CPO Sharkey (1976–78) as the love-interest of 6'7" tall actor Peter Isacksen.
Podcasts:
