Janice Whitby Explained

Janice Whitby
Birth Name:Janice Whitby
Birth Date:31 October 1950
Birth Place:London, Ontario, Canada
Known For:The Bionic Woman
Golddigger
Yearsactive:1970–present

Janice Whitby (born October 31, 1950) is a Canadian-born American film and television actress. Her most notable roles includes her debut as a Golddigger, a singing and dancing troupe of young women on The Dean Martin Show. However, she is probably best known for her portrayal of the fembot Katy in the 1970s television series The Bionic Woman.

Early life

Whitby was born in London, Ontario and grew up in Long Island and New York City where she studied ballet.

Career

Whitby made her television debut when she joined "The Golddiggers", an assembled singing and dance troupe that performed regularly on "The Dean Martin Show". She remained with the troupe when they spun off into their own television show, "Chevrolet Presents the Golddiggers". Whitby then departed the Golddiggers and joined the final season of Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" as one of the Beautiful Downtown Beauties.

After "Laugh-In" Whitby landed guest roles on several hit TV series including Baretta, Emergency! and Cannon. However, her biggest and possibly most memorable TV role was guest starring on "The Six Million Dollar Man" and The Bionic Woman three part epic crossover entitled "Kill Oscar". She played the android assailant, Katy, Doctor Franklin's (John Houseman) fembot assistant and operative. The fembot role earned Whitby ongoing cult status fame among science fiction fans.

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974MameDance troupe
Blazing SaddlesStudio tour guideUncredited
1977The Happy Hooker Goes to WashingtonTennis pro
1981Sophisticated GentsGail PeabodyUncredited, (final film role)

TV series

Year(s)TitleRoleSeasonsNotes
1970–1971The Dean Martin ShowGolddigger1
1971–1972Chevrolet Presents The GolddiggersGolddigger1
1973–1974Laugh-inas one of the Beautiful Downtown Beauties1

TV appearances

YearTitleRoleEpisode titlesNotes
1974Emergency!Partying Actress"The Bash"Season 4, episode 14
1975CannonNancy Harris"The Wrong Medicine"Season 5, episode 3
1976The Bionic WomanFembot #1/Katy"Kill Oscar"Season 2, episode 5
1976The Six Million Dollar ManFembot #1/Katy"Kill Oscar (Part 2)"Season 4, episode 6
1976The Bionic WomanFembot #1/Katy"Kill Oscar (Part 3)"Season 2, episode 6
1977The Bionic WomanFembot #1/Katy"Fembots in Las Vegas "Season 3, episode 3 (archive footage)

Additional sources

External links