Joanna Crussie DeVarona , also known as Joanna Kerns , was born February 12 , 1953 , San Francisco , California . She is an American actress . Joanna Kerns ( born February 12 , 1953 ) is an American actress and director best known for her role as Maggie Seaver on the family situation comedy Growing Pains from 1985-1992 .