Two beloved stars of 1980s television and film swapped red carpets for a relaxed hike this week as they were spotted together during a rare outing in Los Angeles.
The actresses, both celebrated for memorable roles in cult-favorite movies and hit TV series, appeared cheerful as they strolled side by side and chatted during the walk.
One of the stars rose to fame opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1988 martial arts hit Bloodsport, after first gaining recognition on the soap opera The Edge of Night. She later stepped away from Hollywood in the late 1990s to pursue work as a yoga instructor and Family Constellations facilitator.
Her companion became a familiar face through standout appearances in shows such as Desperate Housewives, Twin Peaks, Party of Five, and Seinfeld.
The duo turned out to be Leah Ayres, 68, and Brenda Strong, 66.
Ayres is best remembered for playing journalist Janice Kent, the love interest of Van Damme’s character in Bloodsport. She also portrayed Valerie Bryson on The Edge of Night between 1981 and 1983 before landing a leading role in Velvet. Her television résumé later included appearances on 9 to 5, The Bradys, Married… with Children, and Who’s the Boss?. Her final acting credit came in a 1998 episode of Sliders.
After earning a master’s degree in human development from Pacific Oaks College, Ayres and her husband, Bruce Kalish, launched a practice focused on family constellations and inherited family trauma therapy. The couple share a son, Mackenzie.
Meanwhile, Strong first gained attention after winning the Miss Arizona title in 1980 at age 20. Early in her career, she appeared in Billy Crystal’s “You Look Marvelous” music video before taking guest spots on shows including Cheers, St. Elsewhere, Matlock, and Blossom.
She later portrayed Jones in Twin Peaks, appeared in films like Spaceballs and Starship Troopers, and became especially popular for her role as Mary Alice Young on Desperate Housewives from 2004 to 2012. Alongside the cast, she earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards for ensemble performance in a comedy series.
Most recently, Strong appeared in an episode of the Yellowstone spin-off Marshalls. She shares a son, Zakery Henri, with ex-husband Tom Henri and later married director and actor John Farmanesh-Bocca in 2015.
