Lauren Tewes is a name many remember from the iconic television series The Love Boat, where she played the beloved cruise director Julie McCoy. But behind the glitz and glamor of the Hollywood spotlight, Tewes faced numerous personal challenges that led her on a transformative journey—from a rising television star to a humble cheese steward in Seattle. Here’s the story of how Tewes navigated the turbulent seas of fame, addiction, and personal loss to find new purpose in a life away from Hollywood.
A Star is Born: Lauren Tewes and The Love Boat
When The Love Boat first set sail in 1977, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The show’s weekly mix of romance, drama, and comedy captivated audiences, who tuned in to follow the adventures of the Pacific Princess crew. Lauren Tewes, at just 23 years old, landed the role of Julie McCoy, the upbeat and energetic cruise director. Chosen from over a hundred candidates, Tewes charmed viewers with her warm personality and on-screen charisma, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
For seven years, Tewes was a staple on the show, acting alongside cast members like Gavin McLeod (Captain Stubing), Bernie Kopell (Doc), and Ted Lange (Isaac). However, behind the scenes, the pressures of fame were beginning to take their toll.
The Dark Side of Fame: Tewes’ Struggle with Addiction
Hollywood in the late 1970s and early 1980s was a place where drug culture was rampant, and Tewes wasn’t immune to its influence. As she navigated the pressures of her rising stardom, she began using cocaine, a decision that would ultimately have a severe impact on her life and career. In an interview with TV Guide in 1985, Tewes admitted that she started using cocaine shortly after landing her role on The Love Boat.
“All that money didn’t go into a bank. It went into my nose,” Tewes revealed. “I wanted to be one of the gang. I am ashamed to say it, but it’s true. The first time I took cocaine I had just gotten the job on The Love Boat and I was on my way to a party. My date said, ‘Let’s do drugs.’ And I said, ‘What the heck?’” The drug gave her a fleeting sense of euphoria, but it quickly became a destructive force in her life.
For years, Tewes struggled in silence, as her addiction grew. In a 2014 interview with Oprah Winfrey, she expressed the guilt, shame, and isolation she felt. “I secretly begged and begged and begged for someone to help me,” she said. By 1984, the situation had become untenable, and she was let go from The Love Boat as a result of her addiction.
The Aftermath: Picking Up the Pieces
After her departure from the show, Tewes faced a difficult road to recovery. She worked through the grips of her addiction alone, beginning the challenging journey of sobriety. “It just sunk in that I was not having a good time, that I was killing myself, and that I was spending all my money. So, I stopped completely,” she told TV Guide.
In the wake of her departure from The Love Boat, Tewes focused on rebuilding her life and career. She returned to her roots in theater, where she found solace and a renewed sense of purpose. Though her career never quite returned to the heights she experienced on The Love Boat, she began acting in smaller roles on television, appearing on shows like Who’s the Boss?, The Fugitive, and Twin Peaks. In a way, these smaller roles allowed her to continue her craft without the pressures that had once accompanied her fame.
Personal Tragedy and New Beginnings
Tragedy struck again in 1987 when Tewes lost her one-month-old daughter, who passed away shortly after birth. Despite her grief, she continued to press forward, determined to reshape her life. In 1993, she met actor Robert Nadir while performing with the Arizona Theater Company. The two dated long-distance before Tewes made a life-changing decision to join him in Seattle. They married in 1996 and began building a new life together.
However, heartbreak would soon follow. In 2002, Nadir was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and passed away that same year. Tewes faced yet another devastating loss, but she remained resilient. Seattle became a place of healing and personal growth for her, as she continued to perform in the local theater community and found ways to channel her creativity beyond acting.
A Surprising New Role: Becoming a Cheese Steward
While many would struggle with adapting to life outside of the spotlight, Tewes found joy in an unexpected passion—cheese. She joined a Seattle-based catering company, working as a cheese steward, where she developed an impressive knowledge of cheeses from around the world. For Tewes, this new role was a complete departure from her life as an actress, yet it provided a sense of fulfillment and normalcy that Hollywood could not.
In an interview, Tewes expressed her contentment with her new path, saying, “I decided to change my whole life, which has been a wonderful thing for me.” Becoming a cheese steward allowed her to connect with people on a different level, engaging with food lovers and sharing her knowledge of artisan cheeses. It’s a role that may seem odd to some, but for Tewes, it offered a fresh start and a way to build a life away from the painful memories of her past.
Reflections on Her Hollywood Experience
Though she has moved on from Hollywood, Tewes remains grateful for the experiences she had on The Love Boat, as well as the friendships she formed along the way. Many of her former co-stars still speak fondly of her. Jill Whelan, who played Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki, remembers Tewes as a beloved member of the Love Boat family, saying, “We should talk about our pal, who is a sister to all of us. She’s just a very genuine, sweet human being…one of our favorite people, and we adore her.”
Fred Grandy, who played Gopher, acknowledged the challenges she faced and praised her resilience. He noted that Tewes was a victim of circumstance, explaining, “Substance abuse on a set in those days was a punishable offense…she was a victim of circumstance at the time because the attention and care and therapy she should have gotten was meted out in the form of discipline.”
Today, Tewes occasionally revisits acting through radio dramas, such as Murder and the Murdochs, where she channels her theatrical talents into a new medium. Although she hasn’t returned to the full-scale world of Hollywood, she has carved out a space for herself in Seattle’s theater and culinary communities.
Finding Peace and Moving Forward
Now in her 70s, Tewes has found peace in the quieter rhythms of life. She embraces the role of cheese steward, a position that might seem modest compared to her time on television but is no less fulfilling. Reflecting on her life and career, Tewes remains optimistic about the future. “I think I made the right choices by trying to stay in the business while it was trying to keep me out, by following my own heart and my own drive,” she told the Los Angeles Times.
For Tewes, life has come full circle. From Hollywood starlet to theater actress to cheese steward, her journey has been one of resilience, reinvention, and, ultimately, redemption. Her story is a reminder that while fame can be fleeting, the pursuit of a meaningful life is always within reach.
Final Thoughts: A Story of Reinvention and Resilience
Lauren Tewes’ journey is a testament to the power of perseverance. She faced addiction, personal tragedy, and the harsh realities of Hollywood, yet she emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Her transition from television star to cheese steward might seem unusual, but it reflects her ability to embrace change and find joy in the unexpected.
As fans of The Love Boat reminisce about the show and its beloved characters, Tewes stands as a reminder that life after fame can be just as fulfilling, if not more so. Her story encourages us all to embrace new beginnings, follow our passions, and never be afraid to chart a new course when the tides of life change.
What do you think about Lauren Tewes’ journey? Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to pass this story along to others who might be inspired by her resilience and courage.
