Tue. Mar 19th, 2024

Paul Linke

Paul LinkePaul Linke was born in New York, New York, the son of Richard O. Linke, a personal manager, producer, and partner of Andy Griffith.[1] After roles in films such as The Baby Maker (1970), Big Bad Mama (1974), The Strongest Man in the World (1975) and Moving Violation (1976), Paul Linke appeared in the cult-classic 1977 movie Grand Theft Auto, which was Ron Howard’s directorial debut. During the timeframe of his character on the television series CHiPs, Linke played a similar role as Sheriff Bruce Smith in the cult classic, slasher film parody Motel Hell (1980). He also appeared in another Ron Howard-directed movie, the film Parenthood (1989). His other film credits have included roles in Space Rage (1985), Shrunken Heads (1994) and K-PAX (2001).
His career has included appearances on many well known television series such as, The Waltons, Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, M*A*S*H, Knots Landing, St. Elsewhere, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Murder She Wrote, Baywatch, and a recurring role in Judging Amy. He appeared in a 1985 episode of Three’s a Crowd, a short-lived television sitcom spinoff of Three’s Company starring John Ritter. Three years later, Linke would work with Ritter again when he joined the cast of Hooperman, the ABC dramedy series that Ritter subsequently headlined. In 2003, Linke spoke at Ritter’s memorial service.
In 2000 Linke co-wrote and directed the acclaimed stage play “Save it for the Stage: The Life of Reilly” with actor Charles Nelson Reilly, which was later made into the 2006 film “The Life of Reilly”.
Linke met his first wife, Francesca “Chex” Draper, a musician and composer, at a party in Los Angeles in 1976. They married in 1978 and had three children together, Jasper, Ryan and Rose. When his wife died of cancer in 1986, Linke channeled his grief into writing and performing a play called Time Flies When You’re Alive. First presented as a one-man show in Los Angeles and HBO drama, the work was then developed into the book Time Flies When You’re Alive: A Real-Life Love Story. The very emotional work has garnered critical acclaim. Linke later married Christine Healy in 1991. They have one child together, a daughter named Lily.
Currently Linke is working on a short film “War Dog” – in which he plays the driver of Kayla, a young soldier. She returns from the war zone, and family and friends are ready to welcome her, but she knows she is not ready to “come home.” She is not her “old self.” Linke has also completed work on the film “The Guest House” – When a single dad rents the GUEST HOUSE of a wealthy bachelor, he soon discovers his new landlord’s generosity does not come without a price. Linke plays a detective, and the film is due for release in the near future.
Of course, Leapers will know Paul Linke best for his dual roles in Quantum Leap – Lionel in “Play It Again Seymour” and Sheriff Ben Masters in the Halloween episode. Now please enjoy Albie’s conversation with Paul Linke.