Donna Pescow was born on March 24 1954 in Brooklyn, New York. She got her big break co-starring with John Travolta in the iconic motion picture La fièvre du samedi soir (1977), she followed up as the star of the popular sitcom Angie (1979), and has been working steadily on stage, film and television ever since.
After her mother took her to see the Broadway show "Funny Girl" for her 13th birthday, Donna realized that the stage held the key to her future; she set her sights on becoming an actress. Awarded a scholarship to study at New York's prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, upon graduation she landed a featured role in the touring company of "Ah Wilderness", starring Barbara Bel Geddes and Richard Kiley. After the play's run, she resumed her studies in New York City with the legendary Lee Strasburg, and later in Los Angeles with renowned teacher Milton Katselas.
Following the release of La fièvre du samedi soir (1977), and with the subsequent acclaim for her performance as Annette, Donna was nominated for "Best Supporting Actress" by the New York Film Critics Circle, among other accolades. For her role as Angie Falco, on the popular sitcom Angie (1979) with Robert Hays, she garnered a People's Choice Award nomination for "Favorite Actress in a Television Comedy", and a Golden Globe Award nomination for "Best Actress in a Comedy Series".
As a singer, Donna performed her successful cabaret act in New York City and Los Angeles; she also starred in productions of "A...My Name is Alice", "Grease", "Guys & Dolls", and the critically-acclaimed Wendy Wasserstein play "Isn't It Romantic".
Donna made history with a groundbreaking role on La force du destin (1970), as Dr. Lynn Carson, the first lesbian character on daytime television. The limited run won the actress accolades and a Media Award from AGLA for her sensitive, stereotype-smashing portrayal. Another guest appearance on Hôpital central (1963) delighted her daytime fans as the quirky and controlling Gertrude Morgan.
Donna starred on the fantasy sitcom Loin de ce monde (1987) opposite the legendary voice of Burt Reynolds, and as Eileen Stevens, Shia LaBeouf's mother on La guerre des Stevens (1999), for which she received three Emmy nominations. Donna is a constant presence in television and film, with guest-starring appearances on such series as New York Police Blues (1993), Nash Bridges (1996), Clueless (1996), Les Soprano (1999), Preuve à l'appui (2001), Cold Case: Affaires classées (2003), Body of Proof (2011), among many others. Films include Jake Speed (1986) with John Hurt, Sale temps pour les maris (1998) with John Ritter, the HBO miniseries Glory Years (1987), the period drama The Day the Bubble Burst (1982), and Hallmark's Opération cupcake (2012), not to mention several.
Donna has worked as a director as well an actress. Along with several theatre projects in Los Angeles and regionally, she has been behind the camera on the television series Harry et les Henderson (1991), La guerre des Stevens (1999) and Phénomène Raven (2003).
Donna currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband Arnold Zelonka and their son Jake Casey Zelonka.
