Crystal Bernard (born September 30, 1961) is an American actress and singer, most widely known for her seven-year-long role on the situation comedy Wings.
Bernard was born in Garland, Texas. She became an amateur entertainer at a young age, singing gospel songs with her older sister, Robyn Bernard (also an actress, who played, "Terry Brock," on General Hospital, 1984-1990). One recording of the two that has survived from those years is a song called, "The Monkey Song" (an objection to evolution), on, Feudin' Fussin' and Frettin, a recording of a 1972 Thomas Road Baptist Church service led by Jerry Falwell. Bernard's father is famed televangelist, Dr. Jerry Wayne Bernard, with whom Bernard still travels and sings gospel music.
Bernard developed her acting and performing abilities at, Alley Theatre, while growing up in, Houston, Texas. She continued her education at Baylor University where she studied acting and international relations.
Bernard is a Republican and a supporter of George W. Bush.
She got her start in prime-time television, on the long-running sitcom, Happy Days, playing, "K.C. Cunningham," during the show's second-to-last season. After various guest appearances on television, she joined the cast of the resurrected, syndicated version of the sitcom, It's a Living. But, she is best known for her role as strong-willed airport lunch-counter operator, "Helen Chappel Hackett," on the sitcom, Wings, a role she played for the show's duration (1990-1997).
Early in her film career, she appeared in, Young Doctors in Love. She starred in the Roger Corman-produced, direct-to-video film, Slumber Party Massacre 2.
During the 21st century, her work includes a role in the Independent Spirit Award-winning film, Jackpot, and a starring role in a religious family-film called, Welcome to Paradise.
She has also starred in two Hallmark Channel original movies, Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus, and, Meet the Santas.
She also starred in the 1989 failed TV series pilot, Chameleons by Glen A. Larson as Shelley,a self proclaimed crazed heiress who discovers that her eccentric millionaire uncle Jason Carr has been murdered. she sets out on a quest to find the truth behind his murder.
Bernard has appeared in stage productions since the end of Wings:
In addition to acting, Bernard has a music career as a singer-songwriter. Albums include The Girl Next Door (1996) and Don't Touch Me There (1999). The latter includes a gospel track she recorded with her father and one sung with country artist Billy Dean.
Bernard did a duet with Peter Cetera called, "(I Wanna Take) Forever Tonight," released on Cetera's One Clear Voice album.
