Kristine Sutherland

Kristine Sutherland is an actress best known for her role as Joyce Summers, the mother of main character Buffy Summers, on the cult TV hit "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Born on April 17, 1955, in Boise, Idaho, Sutherland made her TV debut in 1984, on the Pierce Brosnan-starring crime drama/comedy "Remington Steele." After a bit part in the 1986 Robert Redford-Debra Winger film "Legal Eagles," in 1989 Sutherland earned a major supporting part, as Mae Thompson, in the Rick Moranis family sci-fi comedy "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids." The 1990s were particularly wanting for Sutherland, at least until 1997, when, at 42, she landed her career role, as Joyce Summers on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Sutherland played Buffy's mom, Joyce, for 58 episodes, from the beginning of the series until she was killed off, in 2002. Since then, she has appeared in two episodes of the mini-series Western "Comanche Moon," as well as an episode of the crime drama "New Amsterdam," both in 2008. Since 1986, Sutherland has been married to John Pankow, known for his portrayal of Ira on the hit '90s sitcom "Mad About You."