If you grew up in the eighties, then you probably remember Just One of the Guys. I sure do — the number of times that I’ve seen it is quite likely in double-digit territory at this point. Truthfully, it’s not a masterpiece, but for what it is, it’s an enjoyable little flick that actually holds up better than it has any right to. Most folks remember Joyce Hyser for her starring role in that movie, but this talented lady was in a whole lot more than that, and what she’s doing these days will both surprise and, I believe, inspire you.

How did Joyce Hyser begin her career?

Even before Just One of the Guys, Joyce had been on my radar. I remember her from small roles in movies like Hollywood Knights and Staying Alive. I also remember seeing her in a music video by Dan Hartman for his massive hit, “I Can Dream About You.”

Now, I must admit that at the time, I was not aware that Joyce was dating “The Boss,” Bruce Springsteen. When asked about this time in her life and her relationship with Bruce, Joyce has been a bit hesitant to say too much; quite frankly, she was still super young when they were dating. However, in all the articles I’ve read and the podcasts I’ve listened to, I’ve never heard her say anything bad about him.

What did Joyce Hyser do after Just One of the Guys?

So, where did Joyce go after her teen-movie stardom? It probably won’t come as much of a surprise to discover she continued to work in the industry. During the late eighties and early nineties, she was on L.A. Law, where she played Jimmy Smits‘ girlfriend, Allison Gottlieb.

If you switched that channel dial from NBC to CBS around the same time, you would’ve seen Joyce on The Flash as private investigator Megan Lockhart. She was one of the few people in Central City to figure out the Flash’s secret identity. She appeared in three episodes, two of which featured fan-favorite Mark Hamill as the villainous Trickster. I love, love, love those episodes!

Almost a decade later, Joyce was actually up for the role of Carmela in the classic HBO drama The Sopranos. Ultimately, that role went to Edie Falco, who was absolutely great, but I still find myself wondering from time to time: “What if?”

Where is Joyce Hyser today?

Away from the entertainment industry, Joyce has partnered with her husband to create the Harold Robinson Foundation. Their mission is to improve young lives and create a positive impact across South L.A., specifically in the neighborhoods of Watts and Compton.

At the center of the foundation is a free, six-week summer camp program that aims to help both youth and parents initiate positive conversations with their neighbors and, hopefully, rewrite their futures.

On the foundation’s website, Joyce is quoted as saying this: “I came from a single mom. I was the oldest. I had three brothers. I had a lot of responsibilities as a kid. I had to come home from school, do homework, go to dance class then go home and cook dinner. Camp was a way for me to be away from home and be a kid. That’s where I discovered myself. I had a sense of freedom and individuality and space. I got to interact with kids my own age. You can’t bottle that.”

If you want to catch up with Joyce and get up to speed with what is important to her, I recommend heading to Instagram. With 987 posts in the can, she seems to be fairly active. In her bio notes on that site, Joyce calls herself a “recovering actor” which likely means that she considers herself fully retired. That is fine with me because I believe that Joyce’s greatest legacy isn’t anything that she did on television or in the movies, but rather the compassionate work she’s doing through the Harold Robinson Foundation.