Julia Margaret Duffy (née Hinds; June 27, 1951) is an American actress. She began her career in television, appearing in minor guest roles before being cast in the role of Penny Davis in the series The Doctors from 1973 until 1977. She starred in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Once in a Lifetime in 1978. From 1983 to 1990, she played Stephanie Vanderkellen in the hit TV series Newhart. The role garnered her critical acclaim, including seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations, three Viewers for Quality Television awards, and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. Following the conclusion of Newhart, Duffy continued to work in television, playing the original Maggie Campbell on Baby Talk (1991) and Allison Sugarbaker on Designing Women (1991–1992). In the 2000s, Duffy appeared in guest roles on Reba and Drake & Josh, as well as having supporting roles in 2003's comedy films Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd and Intolerable Cruelty. She had recurring guest roles on the series Shameless (2011–2013) and Looking (2014–2015), and appeared in a supporting role in the drama Camp X-Ray (2014). Early life, family, and education Julia Margaret Hinds was born on June 27, 1951, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the youngest of four daughters of Joseph Hinds and Mary Duffy. When Julia was seven years old, her father died, and her mother later remarried and worked as a real estate agent. She began acting as an adolescent, appearing in local stage productions at Minneapolis's Old Log Theatre. At age 18, she appeared in a Minneapolis production of The Girl in the Freudian Slip. In 1970, Duffy moved to New York City, and she enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, from which she graduated in 1972. While attending, she worked as a waitress and hatcheck girl. Career Career beginnings Her early career included parts in soap operas such as One Life to Live, The Doctors, and Love of Life. In 1978, Duffy starred in the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Once in a Lifetime. She appeared in supporting roles in the exploitation horror film Butcher, Baker, Nightmare Maker (1981), also known as Night Warning, as well as Cutter's Way (1981). She appeared in a first season episode of the television sitcom Cheers in 1982. Initially, she had been considered for the role of Diane Chambers, the sitcom's female lead. In 1983, she