One of Hollywood's most recognisable faces from the 1980s brought delight to fans this week with a rare public appearance in Los Angeles.
A Casual Outing for an 80s Icon
Gina Hecht, now 71, was spotted looking upbeat as she tackled some everyday errands on Wednesday. The actress, best known for playing Jeanie DaVinci opposite the late Robin Williams on the hit series Mork & Mindy, sported a relaxed ensemble of a burgundy fleece jacket and grey sweatpants.
Her laid-back look marked a distinct departure from the red-carpet glamour she was known for during the peak of her career in the early 1980s.
From Breakout Roles to Baywatch
Hecht's big break came in 1979 with Mork & Mindy, but her film career launched into high gear with her breakout turn in Ron Howard's 1982 comedy Night Shift, where she starred alongside Michael Keaton and Henry Winkler.
Her impressive resume continued to grow with a role in the iconic St. Elmo's Fire and a part in the original Baywatch pilot, the 1989 TV movie Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier.
Interestingly, while her character, Gina Pomeroy, was carried over into the subsequent global hit series, Hecht was not. Producers recast the role, while stars like David Hasselhoff, Parker Stevenson and Erika Eleniak all made the transition to the primetime show.
A Lasting Career and Personal Life
Born in Houston, Texas, Hecht grew up in the spotlight as the daughter of stage actress Pauline Hecht. She later earned a degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Her career has spanned decades and mediums. She landed a recurring role as Judge Rachel Lasser on General Hospital from 2015 to 2019, earning praise for her commanding presence. She also showcased her versatility on stage, starring alongside Jason Alexander in Neil Simon’s The Prisoner of Second Avenue in 2011. More recently, she appeared on The Rookie with Nathan Fillion.
Off-screen, Hecht married writer and actor Brian Herskowitz in 1988. The couple are parents to two children, Maggie and Bailey.
She reportedly played matchmaker for her Mork & Mindy co-star Pam Dawber, introducing her to her future husband, Mark Harmon. Hecht also remains friends with Jason Alexander, whose character she played the therapist of on Seinfeld in 1989.
A keen poker player, Hecht was one of six celebrities remaining at the 2007 WPT Celebrity Invitational and one of ten to win $1,000 for her charity at the same event in 2008.
