Episode 180 – Getting Too Close For Comfort With Lydia Cornell – Part 2
In Part Two of Tony Miros' conversation with actress, author, and speaker Lydia Cornell, the “Too Close for Comfort” star pulls back the curtain on one of TV's most beloved sitcoms. Lydia shares what it was really like working alongside Emmy Award winner Ted Knight, the magic that made the series a hit, and the enormous pressure she faced as one of television's biggest sex symbols. She opens up about the relentless scrutiny over her appearance, the tabloids spying on the set, and the behind-the-scenes tensions that threatened to change the direction of the series.
Lydia candidly discusses her complicated relationship with Ted Knight, revealing how studio politics, publicity, and misunderstandings created friction between them despite their deep affection for one another. She recalls becoming close friends with co-stars Nancy Dussault and Jim J. Bullock, reflects on Deborah Van Valkenburgh's remarkable career, and explains how industry pressures contributed to her struggles with alcohol and drug use during the height of her fame. She also shares why she believes TCFC lost its way after major cast changes and how Ted's untimely passing brought a heartbreaking end to an era.
The conversation expands beyond the sitcom to explore Lydia's life after TCFC. She discusses guest-starring on hit series including “The Love Boat,” “Charlie's Angels,” “Quantum Leap,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” where she improvised alongside Larry David in one of the show's memorable episodes. Lydia also reflects on the challenges women continue to face in Hollywood, her acclaimed one-woman show “RelationShop,” her passion for writing and teaching acting, and the inspiration behind her upcoming memoir, “Hiding My Brain in My Bra.”
Finally, Lydia shares the deeply personal journey that transformed her life. Celebrating more than three decades of sobriety, she speaks openly about overcoming addiction, healing from trauma, and discovering a renewed sense of purpose through recovery. She offers heartfelt advice for aspiring performers, reflects on learning to embrace her sitcom legacy after years of taking it for granted, and explains why making people laugh has become one of the greatest gifts of her career.
LYDIA CORNELL
Lydia Cornell is an actress, comedian, writer, and producer best known for her starring role as Sara Rush on the hit ABC sitcom Too Close for Comfort. Born Lydia Korniloff in El Paso, Texas, she is the great-granddaughter of author Harriet Beecher Stowe and grew up in a family of accomplished musicians. After studying drama and several other disciplines at the University of Colorado Boulder, she worked at the legendary Caribou Ranch Recording Studios.
After moving to LA in 1978, Lydia worked as a production assistant for Jack Webb Productions before landing her first screen role in Steel, starring Lee Majors. Following appearances on The Love Boat and the cult horror film Blood Tide, she found stardom as Ted Knight's daughter, Sara Rush, on Too Close for Comfort. She later enjoyed a successful television career with guest appearances on Charlie's Angels, Knight Rider, The Dukes of Hazzard, The A-Team, Full House, Quantum Leap, The Drew Carey Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and many other popular series, while also appearing on several television game shows.
Beyond acting, Lydia has built an impressive career as a stand-up comedian, producer, novelist, and inspirational speaker. She wrote and produced the feature film Venus Conspiracy and has remained a passionate advocate for addiction recovery.
Lydia Cornell’s Official Website – https://www.lydiacornell.com
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Actress / Producer / Writer
Lydia Cornell is an actress, comedian, writer, and producer best known for her starring role as Sara Rush, the lovable daughter of Ted Knight's Henry Rush, on the hit ABC sitcom “Too Close for Comfort.”
Born Lydia Korniloff in El Paso, Texas, she comes from a remarkably artistic family. Her mother, Irma Jean Stowe, was a concert violinist, while her father, Gregory Jacob Korniloff, was a graduate of the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music and Arts who later served as assistant concertmaster of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. Lydia is also the great-granddaughter of “Uncle Tom's Cabin” author Harriet Beecher Stowe.
At just nine years old, Lydia was named El Paso's "Little Miss Cotton." After her family relocated to Scarsdale, New York, she attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where she studied business, drama, English, Russian, Spanish, and anthropology. During college, she worked at the legendary Caribou Ranch Recording Studio in Colorado, where she met music icons including Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, Chicago, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, David Cassidy, and photographer Henry Diltz.
Determined to pursue acting, Lydia moved to Los Angeles in 1978. After working as a production assistant for Jack Webb Productions and modeling for album covers, she landed her first screen appearance in the 1979 film “Steel,” starring Lee Majors. She soon followed with early television roles on “The Love Boat” before filming the cult horror film “Blood Tide” in the Greek Isles.
Her breakthrough came in 1980 when she was cast as …Read More
