Ami Foster
Ami Foster is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Margaux Kramer in the TV series Punky Brewster.
Ami Foster | |
---|---|
Occupation | Actress/singer |
Years active | 1983–1995, 2021 |
Spouse |
Trenton DeFries (m. 2001) |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Shawn Foster (brother) |
Biography
Foster, a native of California, won the National Tap Dance Championship after which she was discovered on Star Search as a singer at age eight. In 1984, Foster landed her most notable role, in the NBC series Punky Brewster as Margaux Kramer, the spoiled upper class friend of the title character.[1][2][3][4] During the run of Punky Brewster, Foster appeared on Circus of the Stars; she shared an act with actor-musician Corey Yothers, whose sister Tina (of Family Ties fame) was also featured that year in COTS.
Following the end of Punky Brewster in 1988, Foster appeared in various guest roles: on The Wonder Years, Quantum Leap, and Life Goes On. In 1986–87, she was the voice of Holly, the young owner of the Puppy Pound in the Pound Puppies television series. She also voiced Sally Brown in the 1988 animated Peanuts special Snoopy!!! The Musical and Lucy van Pelt in an episode of This Is America, Charlie Brown. In 1989, she had a role in the film Troop Beverly Hills.[4] Foster's last role before taking an extended hiatus[2] was in a 1995 episode of CBS Schoolbreak Special.[4] In 2021, she returned to acting and reprised her role as Margaux Kramer in the Punky Brewster revival of the series in a guest appearance.
Personal life
Foster married Santa Ana firefighter Trenton DeFries in 2001. They have two children.
Foster has one brother, Shawn Foster, a Grammy-winning music video, television, and film director.
Filmography
Film | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
1986 | Wrinkles: In Need of Cuddles | Amy Lenore Smith | Direct-to-video release |
1987 | When Mom and Dad Break Up | Singer/Child | Direct-to-video release |
1989 | Troop Beverly Hills | Claire Sprantz | |
Television | |||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
1983 | Webster | Maxine | 1 episode |
1984 | Fame | Tracy Donlon | 1 episode |
1984–1988 | Punky Brewster | Margaux Kramer | 58 episodes |
1985 | Wildside | Sissy Jonsen | 1 episode |
1985–1986 | It's Punky Brewster | Margaux Kramer (Voice) | 26 episodes |
1986 | Happy New Year, Charlie Brown! | Sally Brown (singing voice) | Uncredited |
1986–1987 | Pound Puppies | Holly (Voice) | 26 episodes |
1987 | The Little Troll Prince | Kristi (Voice) | Television movie |
1988 | Snoopy!!! The Musical | Sally Brown (voice) | Television special |
CBS Summer Playhouse | Patty Palevski | 1 episode | |
Full House | Nina | 1 episode | |
This Is America, Charlie Brown | Lucy van Pelt (voice) | Miniseries | |
I'm Telling! | Herself | Episode #1.22 | |
1988 | Garfield and Friends | Girl (Voice) | 1 episode |
1989 | A Peaceable Kingdom | 1 episode | |
1990 | Life Goes On | Tara Carlson | 1 episode |
The Outsiders | Girl at party | 1 episode | |
1991 | Quantum Leap | Alexandra Rickett | 1 episode |
Changes | Pam Hallam | Television movie | |
The Wonder Years | Susan | 1 episode | |
The Family Man | Courtney | 1 episode | |
Empty Nest | Wanda Sue | 1 episode | |
Step by Step | Bernice | 1 episode | |
1995 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Marla | 1 episode |
2021 | Punky Brewster | Margaux Kramer | 1 episode |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
---|---|---|---|---|
1986 | Young Artist Award | Nominated | Best Young Supporting Actress in a Television Series | Punky Brewster |
1987 | Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Long Running Series Comedy or Drama | Punky Brewster | ||
1988 | Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Television Comedy Series | Punky Brewster | ||
Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Special, Movie of the Week or Variety Show | Circus of the Stars #12 | |||
Best Animation Voice Over Group | It's Punky Brewster (Shared with Casey Ellison, Teddy Field III, Soleil Moon Frye, and Cherie Johnson) | |||
Best Animation Voice Over Group | Pound Puppies | |||
1989 | Best Young Actress – Voice Over Role | This Is America, Charlie Brown | ||
1992 | Best Young Actress Guest Starring or Recurring Role in a TV Series | Empty Nest |
References
- #IheartHollywood. "Whatever Happened To: The Cast Of "Punky Brewster"". #IHeartHollywood. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- Topel, Fred (October 23, 2019). "'Punky Brewster' Reboot: How Soleil Moon Frye Is Keeping Henry In the Show - Exclusive". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- Gina Vivinetto (June 4, 2019). "'Punky Brewster' sequel starring Soleil Moon Frye is in the works". USA Today. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- Karen Belz (January 28, 2014). "What Happened To Them?: The Cast of 'Punky Brewster'". HelloGiggles. Retrieved June 19, 2020.