Janice Whitby (born October 31, 1950) is a Canadian-born American film and television actress. Her most notable roles includes her debut as a Golddigger, a singing and dancing troupe of young women on The Dean Martin Show. However, she is probably best known for her portrayal of the fembot Katy in the 1970s television series The Bionic Woman.

Janice Whitby
Born
Janice Whitby

(1950-10-31) October 31, 1950 (age 74)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Graphic Designer
Years active1970–present
Known forThe Bionic Woman
Golddigger

Early life

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Whitby was born in London, Ontario and grew up in Long Island and New York City where she studied ballet.

Career

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Whitby made her television debut when she joined "The Golddiggers", an assembled singing and dance troupe that performed regularly on "The Dean Martin Show". She remained with the troupe when they spun off into their own television show, "Chevrolet Presents the Golddiggers". Whitby then departed the Golddiggers and joined the final season of Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-In" as one of the Beautiful Downtown Beauties.

After "Laugh-In" Whitby landed guest roles on several hit TV series including Baretta, Emergency! and Cannon. However, her biggest and possibly most memorable TV role was guest starring on "The Six Million Dollar Man" and The Bionic Woman three part epic crossover entitled "Kill Oscar". She played the android assailant, Katy, Doctor Franklin's (John Houseman) fembot assistant and operative. The fembot role earned Whitby ongoing cult status fame among science fiction fans.

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role Notes
1974 Mame Dance troupe
Blazing Saddles Studio tour guide Uncredited
1977 The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington Tennis pro
1981 Sophisticated Gents Gail Peabody Uncredited, (final film role)

TV series

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Year(s) Title Role Seasons Notes
1970–1971 The Dean Martin Show Golddigger 1
1971–1972 Chevrolet Presents The Golddiggers Golddigger 1
1973–1974 Laugh-in as one of the Beautiful Downtown Beauties 1

TV appearances

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Year Title Role Episode titles Notes
1974 Emergency! Partying Actress "The Bash" Season 4, episode 14
1975 Cannon Nancy Harris "The Wrong Medicine" Season 5, episode 3
1976 The Bionic Woman Fembot #1/Katy "Kill Oscar" Season 2, episode 5
1976 The Six Million Dollar Man Fembot #1/Katy "Kill Oscar (Part 2)" Season 4, episode 6
1976 The Bionic Woman Fembot #1/Katy "Kill Oscar (Part 3)" Season 2, episode 6
1977 The Bionic Woman Fembot #1/Katy "Fembots in Las Vegas " Season 3, episode 3 (archive footage)

References

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Additional sources

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