their child in the series finale. She and Phyllis both appeared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show before moving to the new show. Judith Lowry as Sally "Mother" Dexter, Jonathan's cantankerous, sharp-tongued, 86-year-old mother. While she has a soft spot for Bess, Mother Dexter acts abrasively toward Phyllis. Mother Dexter has a lascivious side, frequently demonstrating her sexual feelings for actor Charles Bronson. In season two, she shocks the rest of her family by shacking up with her boyfriend, Arthur Lanson, in his mobile home. After talking over the situation with her family and Arthur, the couple decides that they want to get married and have their wedding officiated by Jonathan in the living room of the Dexter home. Lowry appeared as Mother Dexter in five episodes after the wedding episode. She had died of a heart attack at the age of 86 in November 1976, a month before the wedding episode aired. Burt Mustin, who portrayed Arthur, died two months after Lowry. Barbara Colby as Julie Erskine #1 (1975), Phyllis' first boss. Along with Burt Mustin, Colby came to Phyllis after playing a different role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She had previously played a prostitute who befriended Mary Richards when they spent the night in jail together. The character of Erskine was recast with Liz Torres after Colby was killed in a drive-by shooting while walking out of an acting class. Liz Torres as Julie Erskine #2 (1975–1976). Torres replaced Barbara Colby after she was murdered in July 1975. The character was written out of the series after the first season. Richard Schaal as Leo Heatherton (1975–1976), Phyllis' well-meaning, but bumbling coworker at the photography studio. Along with Julie, the character of Leo was written out of the series after season one ended in an attempt to rework the series and boost ratings. Carmine Caridi as Dan Valenti (1976–1977), Phyllis' boss in season two when she becomes a political assistant. His nephew, Mark, eventually becomes Bess' husband. John Lawlor as Leonard Marsh (1976–1977), Phyllis' co-worker in season two. Leonard does not tend to get along with Phyllis. Garn Stephens as Harriet Hastings (1976–1977), Phyllis' co-worker in season two. Like Leonard, Harriet does not have a very friendly relationship with Phyllis. Burt Mustin as Arthur Lanson (1976), the devoted suitor, and later husband, of Mother Dexter. He is an elderly veteran of World War I who lives in