Perfect Strangers was a delightful comedy about Larry, a high-strung American, and his hilariously naive cousin Balki, who arrived from the fictional island of Mypos to explore America and accidentally disrupt Larry’s peaceful life in Chicago. The show’s warm and catchy theme song, coupled with a lovable cast, made it a staple of late ’80s and early ’90s television. But what became of its stars, and what intriguing stories lie behind their performances? Let’s take a closer look at the cast of Perfect Strangers and find out where they are now.
1. Bronson Pinchot (Balki Bartokomous)
Balki’s endless optimism and naive charm made him a fan favorite. To bring Balki’s Myposian quirks to life, Bronson Pinchot even visited Greece for inspiration, renaming the character from “Vev” to Balki after his sister’s dog. Pinchot’s career soared after Perfect Strangers, with notable roles in True Romance (1993) and Courage Under Fire (1996). However, Pinchot later revealed he endured harsh treatment from Denzel Washington during Courage Under Fire, calling it a low point in his career. Most recently, Bronson appeared in NCIS: Hawai’i and is filming a new Beverly Hills Cop installment. Despite his talents, allegations of inappropriate behavior have overshadowed his legacy.
2. Mark Linn-Baker (Larry Appleton)
Larry, Balki’s exasperated yet caring cousin, was played by Mark Linn-Baker, who started his career in the late ‘70s with small roles before hitting it big. His standout pre-Perfect Strangers role was opposite Peter O’Toole in My Favorite Year (1982). After the sitcom, Linn-Baker appeared in Noises Off (1992) and guest-starred on Family Matters—a loose spin-off of Perfect Strangers. Recently, he’s enjoyed a career resurgence with roles on Succession and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. At 69, Linn-Baker is proving there’s plenty of gas left in his tank.
3. Melanie Wilson (Jennifer Lyons)
Larry’s love interest Jennifer was a sweet and steadying presence on the show. Played by Melanie Wilson, daughter of actor Dick Wilson (Mr. Whipple of Charmin fame), Jennifer was a flight attendant and neighbor who lived in Larry’s building. Wilson’s acting career was brief, with notable appearances on Step by Step and a small role in the TV movie Prayers for Bobby (2009). Now 63, Wilson has largely stayed out of the spotlight, except for occasional reunions with her Perfect Strangers castmates.
4. Rebeca Arthur (Mary Anne Spencer)
Mary Anne, Balki’s love interest, was an endearing mix of quirky and kind-hearted. Rebeca Arthur, who portrayed her, is known for roles in About Last Night (1986) and Get Shorty (1995). Although she’s kept a low profile in recent years, she’s spoken about her difficult experiences with Bronson Pinchot during the show. Today, Arthur is 63 and remains close friends with her on-screen bestie, Melanie Wilson.
5. Belita Moreno (Edwina Twinkacetti / Lydia Markham)
Belita Moreno pulled double duty on Perfect Strangers, first as Edwina Twinkacetti and later as Lydia Markham, a quirky advice columnist. With a career shaped by collaborations with director Robert Altman, Moreno later shone as Benny Lopez on George Lopez. At 74, she last appeared in a 2019 episode of Netflix’s On My Block and remains a beloved figure in Hollywood.
6. Sam Anderson (Sam Gorpley)
Sam Gorpley was Balki’s curmudgeonly supervisor in the mailroom. Veteran actor Sam Anderson is best remembered as Bernard on Lost and as a school principal in Forrest Gump. Today, Anderson continues to work steadily, appearing in Netflix’s Painkiller in 2023. At 76, his career remains as consistent as ever.
7. Jo Marie Payton (Harriette Winslow)
Harriette Winslow, the no-nonsense elevator operator, became the anchor for the hit spin-off Family Matters. Jo Marie Payton played Harriette with warmth and authority but left Family Matters during its final season due to clashes with co-star Jaleel White. She also voiced Suga Mama in Disney’s The Proud Family. Now 73, Payton’s last live-action role was in the Lifetime movie A Very Charming Christmas Town (2020).
8. Ernie Sabella (Donald Twinkacetti)
Ernie Sabella brought his comedic chops to Perfect Strangers as Donald Twinkacetti, Larry and Balki’s miserly boss. Outside the show, Sabella is best known as the voice of Pumbaa in Disney’s The Lion King. At 74, he continues voicing the lovable warthog and embodies the carefree spirit of “Hakuna Matata.”
From sitcom hijinks to serious dramas, the cast of Perfect Strangers left an indelible mark on television history. Now it’s your turn—who was your favorite character? Share your favorite episodes or memories in the comments below!
