The 1980s workplace sitcom It's a Living captured viewers with the daily banter of waitresses working at "Above the Top," a swanky restaurant on the top floor of a Los Angeles skyscraper. Created by Stu Silver, Dick Clair, and Jenna McMahon, the show debuted on ABC in October 1980 under the title It's a Living, switched to Making a Living for its brief second season, and later returned for a highly successful run in first-run syndication from 1985 to 1989. Decades after the final episode aired in April 1989, fans still wonder what happened to the ensemble cast that brought the lounge pianist, chefs, and wisecracking waitresses to life.
Spanning six seasons and 120 episodes, the series relied on snappy dialogue, character dynamics, and frequent cast shifts. While some stars used the show as a springboard to decades of continued television success, others stepped away from the spotlight to focus on personal lives, theater, or other ventures. Examining the post-show trajectories of the main cast reveals how their careers evolved long after the restaurant doors closed for good.
Ann Jillian as Cassie Cranston
Ann Jillian played the platinum blonde, sharp-tongued waitress Cassie Cranston, quickly emerging as the breakout star of the series. Before landing the role, Jillian was already a seasoned performer with a lengthy resume that included guest spots on classic television and stage work. Her portrayal of Cassie anchored much of the early comedy.
During the height of the show's syndication run, Jillian faced a major personal challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35. She underwent a double mastectomy and documented her recovery publicly, becoming an advocate for cancer awareness and education. Despite her diagnosis, she returned to acting, starring in the acclaimed biographical television film The Ann Jillian Story, for which she received an Emmy nomination. She continued to work in television and theater through the 1990s before stepping back to focus on family and community outreach.
Gail Edwards as Dot Higgins
Gail Edwards portrayed Dot Higgins, the sweet and often naive waitress who remained a constant presence throughout the entire six-season run of the show. Before her television career took off, Edwards graduated cum laude from the University of Miami and wrote, produced, and starred in the musical Becoming, earning critical recognition early on.
Following the end of It's a Living, Edwards transitioned into one of the most recognizable faces of 1990s TGIF television. She secured recurring and main roles on major sitcoms, most notably playing Vicky Larson on Full House and later starring as Christine Sullivan on Blossom. Her comedic timing and warm screen presence made her a staple of family-friendly television throughout the decade before she retired from acting in the late 1990s.
Barrie Youngfellow as Jan Miller
Barrie Youngfellow played Jan Miller, the sarcastic redhead waitress whose dry delivery provided a steady stream of laughs. Youngfellow brought extensive theater and television background to the ensemble, having appeared in various stage productions and guest roles prior to joining the cast in 1980.
After the series wrapped in 1989, Youngfellow continued working in television, making guest appearances on popular shows throughout the 1990s, including The Golden Girls, L.A. Law, and Murphy Brown. She also married actor Richard Kline, known for his role in Three's Company. While she eventually stepped away from regular on-screen acting, her contributions to 1980s and 1990s television remain appreciated by sitcom enthusiasts.
Paul Kreppel as Sonny Mann
Paul Kreppel played Sonny Mann, the wisecracking lounge pianist whose endless flirting and cynical commentary frequently irritated the waitresses. Kreppel brought a distinct lounge-act energy to the show, balancing humor with musical interludes.
When the series ended, Kreppel pivoted between television acting, stage direction, and writing. He appeared in various guest roles across television series and dedicated significant time to theater productions in Los Angeles and New York. In addition to acting, Kreppel directed theatrical works and multimedia projects, maintaining an active career behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
Crystal Bernard as Amy Tompkins
Crystal Bernard joined the cast during the syndication era as Amy Tompkins, the naive country mouse waitress who added a fresh dynamic to the restaurant staff. Bernard brought a youthful charm to the later seasons of the show.
Shortly after It's a Living concluded, Bernard landed her defining television role as the sharp-witted cellist Helen Chappel Hackett on the long-running sitcom Wings, which aired on NBC from 1990 to 1997. Alongside her acting career, Bernard pursued a passion for music, releasing several contemporary Christian and country albums and touring as a singer-songwriter. Her ability to transition seamlessly from a sitcom ensemble lead to a network co-star solidified her status as a prominent television fixture of the era.
Marian Mercer as Mrs. Ryan
Marian Mercer played Nancy Beebe (later Mrs. Ryan), the haughty, veteran waitress whose theatrical background and pretentious demeanor provided rich comedic fodder. Mercer was already a celebrated stage actress before joining the show, having won a Tony Award for Best Supporting or Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Promises, Promises during the 1960s.
Following the end of the series, Mercer continued working in television and film, making memorable guest appearances on shows like Empty Nest, The Golden Girls, and Murphy Brown. She passed away in 2011 after battling complications from Alzheimer's disease, leaving behind a legacy of versatile performances across Broadway and television.
Production History and Cultural Footprint
Understanding why fans still follow the cast requires looking at how the show was produced. The series was created by Witt/Thomas Productions, a powerhouse behind many successful sitcoms of the era Witt/Thomas Productions. Because ABC cancelled the network run after two shortened seasons, the decision to revive the show in first-run syndication in 1985 proved vital. That syndication model allowed the production team to produce 93 additional episodes, keeping the show afloat and cementing its place in syndication packages across the United States.
Common Misconceptions About the Show
- The title change: Many casual viewers confuse the second season because ABC temporarily rebranded the series as Making a Living before reverting to the original title when syndication began.
- Cast continuity: Unlike ensemble comedies like Cheers, It's a Living underwent significant cast turnover between seasons, dropping original characters like Lois Adams (played by Susan Sullivan) and Vicki Allen (played by Wendy Schaal) without explanation between the network and syndication eras.
- Streaming availability: While the show was largely absent from television for years after its TV Land airings in 2000-2001, current distribution rights held by Paul Brownstein Productions have made episodes available via digital platforms and free ad-supported streaming television services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I stream It's a Living today?
Episodes of the series are occasionally available on free streaming platforms and digital networks that license retro television content from Paul Brownstein Productions, such as Tubi, Pluto TV, and FilmRise.
Why did Ann Jillian leave the show?
Ann Jillian departed during the first season of syndication in 1986 to focus on her health and recovery following her breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent double mastectomy. Her character was written out as having married and started a family.
How many total episodes were produced?
The series produced 120 episodes across its six seasons, consisting of 27 episodes during the ABC network run and 93 episodes during the subsequent syndication revival.
Did any of the cast members stay close after the show ended?
Many cast members maintained professional connections within the Los Angeles and New York theater communities, though individual career paths pulled them toward different networks and personal projects following 1989.
