Enthusiasts of classic ’80s sitcoms and cherished animated shows were thrilled on Wednesday as one of the era’s most renowned stars made a rare appearance in Los Angeles.

The 86-year-old actress, known for her role as the endearing housekeeper Pearl on “Diff’rent Strokes,” appeared lively and cheerful during a lunch outing at the celebrity-favorite venue, The Smokehouse in Burbank.

Clad in an amusing floral top paired with matching leggings, she looked vastly different from the vibrant outfits she donned as Rita in the 1982 comedy “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” alongside Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton.

Longtime admirers will also recognize her as the voice behind the driving school instructor Mrs. Puff on “SpongeBob SquarePants,” a role that has become her most enduring and famous gig.

She’s also appeared in MASH*, The Dukes of Hazzard, and General Hospital.

Can you name the iconic star?

If you guessed Mary Jo Catlett, you’re correct!

The Denver native began her journey in the performing arts on the stages of local theater, honing her craft before making the leap to Broadway. 

Early on, she displayed a knack for bringing quirky, memorable characters to life, a talent that would become her trademark. 

By the mid-1970s, she was earning critical acclaim for her stage work, taking home Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for her standout performances in Come Back, Little Sheba in 1976 and Philadelphia, Here I Come! in 1980.

Her Broadway career continued to flourish, and in 1995 she earned an Ovation Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her charming and hilarious turn as Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast. 

The role allowed her to combine her impeccable comedic timing with a flair for theatrical spectacle, and it further cemented her reputation as a versatile character actress.

Her television breakthrough came when she joined the main cast of Diff’rent Strokes in its fifth season, stepping into the role of Pearl Gallagher, the show’s third housekeeper. 

Catlett quickly won over audiences with her warmth, humor, and the distinctive energy she brought to the part. 

Her talent didn’t stop at sitcoms; she also earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work on General Hospital, proving she could excel in both comedy and drama.

Fans of classic TV may also remember her for memorable guest appearances on MASH*, where she brought her signature humor and charm to a few standout episodes. 

She became a familiar face on television throughout the 1980s and 1990s, blending seamlessly into both ensemble casts and high-profile guest spots.

In 1998, Catlett expanded her reach into animation when she was cast as the voice of Mrs. Puff, the beleaguered driving school teacher in Nickelodeon’s hit series SpongeBob SquarePants. 

Over the years, she has voiced Mrs. Puff in every season of the show, as well as in all of the theatrical SpongeBob films and related video games. 

Her portrayal of the anxious, lovable pufferfish has become her most iconic role, earning her generations of fans who know her voice even if they don’t know her face.

Despite her wide-ranging career in theater, television, and animation, Catlett has always described herself simply as a character actress. 

In a 1988 interview with the Orlando Sentinel, she reflected, “It has been a plus to be a character actress.T

‘There are plenty of them out there but far fewer than ingenues and leading ladies, who perhaps eventually become character actresses. 

‘But I always was a character actress. I always was round and funny.’