It may be hard to believe now, but 5'5", 107-lb. Judy Landers used to think of herself as an 'ugly duckling'! The lady you've come to know as "Stacks" on BJ & The Bear (alas! recently cancelled) grew up feeling that big sister Audrey (also an actress, she co-stars on Dallas) had a lock on the looks and talent in the family. But mom Ruth always assured her youngest, born on October 7, 1960 that she, too, would be beautiful and successful one day. Which just goes to show ya'-mother knows best.
But in those early years, it was hard for judy-while her appealing older sister was making TV commercials, she was, well, not. It wasn't until she discovered gymnastics at 13 years old that Judy felt she had any talent at all! But excell in that demanding'sport she did-she was New York State's Tumbling Champion in 1974. And that gave her confidence to enter her sister's arena-show business. Tentatively starting out in commercials, blond-haired, hazel-eyed Judy began winning modest parts in such TV shows as Happy Days, Buck Rogers, Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat. At 18 years old, her career was launched.
In 1980, the year she turned 20, Judy won the coveted role of "Stacks" in BJ & The Bear and suddenly found herself a celebrity-all in her own right. She moved with Audrey to a bachelor-girl Beverfy Hills, apartment and bought herself a white and red Trans Am Firebird to tool around town in! In her off-hours, she plays guitar, horse-back rides, still practices gymnastics and cooks special vegetarian dishes for herself.
Judy's single and likes boyfriends to be warm and sincere and have a certain strength of character-"Mr. Right" is yet to enter the scene, but Judy's in no hurry. Though she does plan on marriage and a family one day, right now, she's too busy pursuing her career goals-to be a fine movie actress ("I'd love to star in a movie with Burt Reynolds, " she says dreamily) and one day "open a huge animal shelter and park where the animals can roam free. " A talented, sweet and caring lady-that's Judy Landers.