An 80s child star was observed on an exceptionally rare public appearance in Los Angeles this month, stepping out quietly and completely removed from the intense glare of the Hollywood spotlight. The former actress maintained an extremely low profile as she carried out mundane errands, dressed in casual attire that allowed her to blend seamlessly into the local neighborhood while strolling along the sidewalk.
From Teen Sitcom Fame to Anonymous Outing
Once a familiar and beloved face on television screens throughout America, this star rose to prominence at a very young age during the golden era of teen-oriented sitcoms. At the absolute peak of her success, she starred alongside future A-list celebrities and became an integral part of a cult-favorite series that continues to resonate deeply with dedicated fans even decades after its original airing.
The Unconventional Casting of Square Pegs
In her breakout role opposite Sarah Jessica Parker, the actress was specifically tasked with wearing fake orthodontic braces and a full fat suit to appear less conventionally attractive on screen, a deliberate choice by producers. Despite receiving early critical acclaim for her performance, her time in the relentless Hollywood spotlight proved to be remarkably brief, and she ultimately elected to pursue a life entirely removed from the entertainment industry.
The woman pictured during this rare sighting is Amy Linker, who remains best known for her portrayal of Lauren Hutchinson on the short-lived but immensely beloved CBS sitcom Square Pegs. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Linker initially broke into television with a role as Kelly Lewis on the series Lewis & Clark, before securing her iconic part in Square Pegs alongside Sarah Jessica Parker, Jami Gertz, and Tracy Nelson in 1982.
Behind the Scenes of a Cult Classic
The innovative show followed two socially awkward high-school freshmen desperately striving to fit in, and while it was widely praised by television critics for its sharp, intelligent writing and authentic realism, it was unfortunately cancelled after only a single season. Behind the scenes, Linker later revealed she was explicitly required to wear a fat suit and braces to deliberately downplay her natural looks for the role, a decision that has since become a notable piece of Hollywood trivia.
While discussing the casting of both Linker and Parker, screenwriter and comedy writer Anne Beatts disclosed in a revealing interview that the young women needed to be intentionally dressed down to authentically play their parts. Recalling Parker specifically, Beatts noted they 'had to sort of drab her down,' adding humorously, 'She used to say that she was dressed like an Appalachian child. She was a clothes horse even then, I guess.'
Regarding Linker, Beatts remembered they were 'kept trying to find someone who was chubby and she wasn't.' Ultimately, they ended up casting her and inserting 'body padding' into her outfits to make her appear 'fake chubby.' Beatts elaborated, 'She had to have fake braces and a suit of body padding and Sarah had to have fake glasses and be made less attractive, in order to portray those parts.'
Life After Hollywood
Following the show’s abrupt cancellation, Linker provided the voice for the character Robin on the animated Mister T series and appeared in several other projects, including the science fiction film D.A.R.Y.L. and the television movie When We First Met. She eventually stepped away from acting completely, enrolling at Wellesley College and graduating in 1989 with a degree in French studies.
Her post-Hollywood life took a markedly different and purposeful turn, with subsequent careers in internet marketing and elementary education. In 2012, Linker earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and now works professionally as a licensed psychotherapist, embracing a quiet life far from her former fame.
