Though she would compete unsuccessfully for a spot on the 1968 Olympics Gymnastics team her sister Donna would later take home the gold medal for swimming , she remained steadfast in her athleticism and subsequently dropped out of high school to tour with the Gene Kelly stage musical Clown Around.
It wasn't long before she gained affection for the spotlight, and following a move to New York, the aspiring young actress could be spotted in a Broadway production of Ulysses in Nighttown.
Joanna is still focused on her career in the entertainment world, though instead of acting.
Like Growing Pains Joanna Kerns? However, realizing that swimming was not for her, Joanna changed her focus to gymnastics, and participated in the 1968 Olympic trials, but finishing 14th out of 28.
Seminal role was as frazzled journalist mom Maggie Seaver in the sitcom Growing Pains 1985-92.
Previously she was married to commercial producer Richard Kerns from 1976 until 1985, with whom she has a daughter, Ashley Cooper.