Lydia Cornell's rise from Too Close for Comfort to 1980s TV icon
Lydia Cornell became a household name in the 1980s as Sara Rush on the popular sitcom Too Close for Comfort. The show, adapted from the British series Keep It in the Family, won over American audiences with its lighthearted family humour. Beyond acting, Cornell's background includes a surprising literary connection—she is the great-great-granddaughter of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the famed author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Born Lydia Korniloff in El Paso, Texas, Cornell grew up in an artistic family. Her career took off in 1980 with a speaking role on The Love Boat, produced by Aaron Spelling. But it was her audition for Too Close for Comfort that truly set her apart—she landed the part of Sara Rush after a memorable mistake during the tryout.
The sitcom centred on two adult sisters, Sara and Jackie, living downstairs from their parents, Henry and Muriel Rush, played by Ted Knight and Nancy Dussault. Cornell's portrayal of Sara helped turn her into a 1980s sex symbol. Over the years, she also appeared in well-known series like Knight Rider and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Details about her later career remain sparse, but at 72, she was recently seen in Los Angeles, looking radiant while walking her dog.
Cornell's legacy spans decades, from her breakout role on The Love Boat to her iconic turn in Too Close for Comfort. Though her recent projects are less documented, her contributions to 1980s television remain memorable. Fans still recognise her as the lively Sara Rush and a defining figure of the era.
