In the realm of 80s television, few shows captured the essence of family comedy quite like “Just The Ten of Us.” Among its ensemble cast, Deborah Harmon stood out, bringing warmth and wit to her role. But as the years have passed, many fans have wondered: what ever happened to Deborah Harmon?
Early Roles
Before her iconic role as Elizabeth Lubbock in “Just the Ten of Us,” Deborah Harmon had an extensive career in television and film. Starting in 1976, she appeared as a party guest in “Chesty Anderson U.S. Navy.”
Over the next decade, she took on a variety of roles in popular TV series such as “Laverne & Shirley”, “CPO Sharkey”, “The Ted Knight Show”, “MAS*H” , and “Night Court”.
Harmon also showcased her versatility in TV movies like “The Ghost of Flight 401” and “Back to the Future”, where she had an uncredited role as a TV newscaster.
By the time she landed her role in “Just the Ten of Us,” Harmon had already established herself as a talented and versatile actress.
Just The Ten of Us
“Just the Ten of Us” is an American sitcom that aired from April 26, 1988, to May 4, 1990, on ABC. The series is centered around Coach Graham Lubbock, portrayed by stand-up comedian Bill Kirchenbauer, who is a teacher and the head of a large Catholic family with eight children residing in Eureka, California.
Deborah Harmon played the role of Elizabeth Lubbock, the mother of the family. Other notable actresses on the show included: Heidi Zeigler, Brooke Theiss and JoAnn Willette.
The series is a spin-off of “Growing Pains,” in which Kirchenbauer’s character was introduced. As the series evolved, the narrative primarily focused on Coach Lubbock’s four eldest daughters, who were allowed to attend St. Augustine’s Academy, an all-boys private Catholic school, much to the school administration’s dismay.
The show was a part of ABC’s early TGIF programming block. Throughout its run, the series had a total of three seasons and 47 episodes.
The storyline often revolved around family dynamics, financial challenges, dating, and other typical family issues. In later episodes, the four teenage daughters formed a singing group named “The Lubbock Babes.”
Career After Just The Ten of Us
After her starring role on Just the Ten of Us ended in 1990, Deborah Harmon continued to work steadily in television throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
She had a recurring part as Wendy Lacey on the sitcom Dear John from 1990-1991. Harmon also made guest appearances on shows like Sisters, Married with Children, Boy Meets World, Clueless, and The Pretender during this period.
Some of her other credits included TV movies like True Facts (1992) and the video game Mr. Payback (1995).
As her career progressed, Harmon began taking smaller character and bit parts and she retired from acting shortly after making an appearence on Malcom in The Middle in 2002.
What is Deborah Harmon Doing Now?
After her successful stint in acting, Deborah Harmon has since retired from the entertainment industry. She has transitioned into a new career and is currently working as a real estate agent in La Quinta, California.
While she may have stepped away from the limelight, Deborah hasn’t completely distanced herself from her acting roots. In 2020, she participated in the virtual “Just the Ten of Us – 30 Year Reunion Special,” rekindling memories and reconnecting with her former co-stars.
On a personal note, Deborah is a proud mother to her daughter, Caroline Charlotte Blackwell, born on June 28, 1991. Caroline is her child with ex-husband Bill Blackwell.
While Deborah may have shifted her focus from acting to real estate, she remains a cherished figure for her fans and continues to lead a fulfilling life both professionally and personally.
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