Randee Heller (born 1947 Who's Who in Entertainment. Second edition, 1992-1993. Wilmette, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1992. Information retrieved via Ancestry.com. Who's Who in Entertainment . Third edition, 1998- 1999. New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who, 1997. Information retrieved via Ancestry.com. ) is an American television and film actress. Her most notable roles were in the film The Karate Kid and one of its sequels, as Daniel Larusso's mother, and on the 1970s serial sitcom Soap as Jodie Dallas' roommate Alice, one of the first lesbian characters in television history. blank">Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Television Characters (1971-1980) Clifford Pugh. "Much ado about Ellen/Houstonians plan parties to watch tonight's controversial episode," Houston Chronicle, April 30, 1997, Houston section, page 1. "Gay TV history," The Orlando Sentinel, April 30, 1997, page E1. She also had a starring role as Carol in the 1979 made-for-TV movie Can You Hear the Laughter? The Story of _Freddie Prinze.

Heller was born in Brooklyn, New York. She began her career in musicals on Broadway in such musicals as Grease — where she played Rizzo Jim Kershner. "Sandpoint schedule shaping up," The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), May 13, 2001, page F3. — and Godspell, eventually moving to California in 1978. Her groundbreaking role as Alice received mixed reviews, not for her acting but for the way some critics argued the role played into a television tradition of making lesbian characters psychologically troubled. The Boston Herald, for example, identifies Alice as "TV's first recurring lesbian character," noting that she "first tries to throw herself off a bridge, then falls for Jodie (Billy Crystal), a confused gay man, and finally runs off," and commenting that the characterization shows how "the networks have generally depicted lesbians either as suicidal losers or sexual predators." Mark A. Perigard. "Networks' record shows gay stereotyping," Boston Herald April 30, 1997, page 44.

After leaving Soap, the actress went on to create the role of Lucille LaRusso in the Karate Kid series, appearing in the first and third installments. Her characterization generally received praise from critics, George Williams. "'The Karate Kid' doesn't have to fight to be a winner," Sacramento Bee, June 22, 1984, Scene section, page D. with reviewer Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune naming her absence from the second film as one of its greatest flaws: "Heller`s honest portrayal of a single parent trying to raise an adolescent was one of the genuine pleasures of the original film." Gene Siskel. "In 'The Karate Kid Part II', Daniel and Miyagi are in the wrong fight," Chicago Tribune, June 20, 1986, page 29. Co-star Ralph Macchio agreed, stating in one interview with Siskel, "I argued for her [inclusion]. Those scenes with her were some of my favorites in the original — they had some real emotion — and I honestly don`t know why she isn`t there. I haven`t seen the sequel, but (when the film focuses) just on Miyagi, well, he`s a great character, but after a while he can become sort of a walking fortune cookie with all of his sayings." Gene Siskel. "Ralph Macchio's baby face can't mask maturing talent," Chicago Tribune, June 15, 1986, Arts section, page 10.

Heller has made guest appearances in the television series Nip/Tuck, Judging Amy, Felicity, the children's series Drake & Josh, Fame, and The White Shadow, among many others. She had leading roles in three short-lived situation comedies, Second Chance (1987), Better Days (1986), and Mama Malone (1984). Her TV-movie appearances include And Your Name is Jonah (1979). In 2000, Heller performed with Barbra Streisand in her concert Timeless, which was broadcast over American television.

In addition to her role in the Karate Kid series, she appeared in the feature films Fast Break (1979), Bulworth (1998), Monster-in-Law (2005), and Crazylove (2005). As of January, 2007, IMDb was reporting her as attached to the film Rambo, being released on January 25, 2008.

Heller also has maintained a stage career, appearing in such productions as Bermuda Avenue Triangle, Jeff Murphy. "Walk down this 'Avenue' for a raucous night out," The News Journal (Wilmington, DE), January 21, 2006, page D3. The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Paul Hodgins. "'Allergist's Wife' finds sea legs - After a wobbly start, the comedy about Manhattan manners gathers steam and heads into a strong finale" (review), The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, CA), May 30, 2005, page A. and Cabaret. Her role in Cabaret was particularly well received, with one reviewer remarking that "she proved in her first five minutes that she knows how to develop a character, command a stage and deliver a song. Heller made a role that seems peripheral in some productions into a central part of the story. When her engagement to her Jewish beau, Herr Schultz, is called off, it symbolizes many of the small human tragedies brought about by Nazi hate." Jim Kershner. "Dark musical: CdA Summer Theatre's `Cabaret' an entertaining show despite setting," The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA), July 10, 2001, page D7.