Shirley Prestia

Shirley Rose Prestia (August 18, 1947 – October 6, 2011) was an American actress. She guest starred in a number of notable television series including Family Ties, Cheers, St. Elsewhere, The Golden Girls, The Facts of Life, 227, Mr. Belvedere, Babylon 5, L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, Step by Step, The Practice and among other series. Prestia also had recurring roles on the sitcoms Home Improvement (as Delores) and Dharma & Greg (as Janet).

She appeared in the films Final Analysis (1992), Hoffa (1992), Species (1995), Leave It to Beaver (1997), Wag the Dog (1997) and What Women Want (2000).

Prestia was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. She graduated from Mount Carmel Academy high school. She is an alumna of California State University, Chico and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Arts. Prestia was also one of the original members of The Groundlings comedy troupe.

Prestia was diagnosed with brain cancer c. 2004. Due to the illness, she retired from acting, with her last acting credit appearing in the pilot episode of the sitcom The War at Home in 2005. She died on October 8, 2011, at age 64, in her hometown of New Orleans, after eight years of living with the disease.