This ‘Love Boat’ Alum, 73, Went From Waitress to TV Star, and Later Became a Cheese Specialist

Lauren Tewes became a familiar face to millions of television viewers as cruise director Julie McCoy on The Love Boat. However, she almost never landed her breakthrough role. The actress, who turns 73 on October 26, was working as a waitress and struggling to get by when an unexpected opportunity changed her career.

The Love Boat premiered in September 1977, but what viewers saw as the beginning of the hit show was very different from the pilot that was originally shot. As People noted, it took three filmed pilots before ABC finally gave the series the green light.

During an episode of the CW series TV We Love, it was revealed that the initial pilot, which was slated to be a TV movie, simply didn’t have the right cast. ABC thought there was enough potential in the idea, which was based on the book The Love Boats by Jeraldine Saunders, that they allowed a second pilot to be filmed.

Unfortunately, that second pilot still didn’t hit the right note. Aaron Spelling, who was brought in as the executive producer of the project ahead of the second pilot, managed to convince ABC to let them try a third time. In this case, the third time was the charm.

Three cast members who appeared in the second pilot were kept for the third version: Bernie Kopell (Dr. Bricker), Fred Grandy (Gopher), and Ted Lange (Isaac). Spelling reached out to Gavin MacLeod, who had wrapped The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and brought him on as the captain. Casting Julie, however, proved to be a challenge.

Candy Spelling, Aaron’s wife, suggested an actress who had briefly appeared on both Starsky & Hutch and Charlie’s Angels. That actress was Tewes.

At the time, Tewes was just 22 years old. The opportunity to audition came with little notice, and she was up against dozens of other actresses, noted Glossyfied. However, she landed the part.

Casting for the role had been such a challenge that Tewes got the part the same night she auditioned. Then, she learned that shooting began early the next day.

The third pilot was a hit, receiving huge ratings, and The Love Boat was ordered to series. Critics hated the show, and it was put on Saturday nights against the incredibly popular Carol Burnett Show. Despite all of that, viewers tuned in and loved it.

Unfortunately, Tewes developed a cocaine addiction and was fired from The Love Boat after season 7, noted People. The show itself ran for 10 seasons.

Tewes was able to get sober and rejoined the cast for an episode of the followup, Love Boat: The Next Wave, per her IMDb page. She also appeared in one episode of The Love Boat season 9, along with four episodes of the final season.

According to Biography, Tewes continued to do some acting and also did voiceovers on computer games. In addition, Tewes attended culinary school and became a cheese specialist and worked in catering.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available 24 hours a day through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-4357.