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The Most Memorable Administrative Professionals Of TV And Film

Jennifer Marlowe
(credit: 20th Century Fox Television)

They say love makes the world go 'round, but everyone knows that in the world of business, it's the administrative professionals -- the secretaries, receptionists, and administrative assistants -- who keep things running smoothly. In honor of Administrative Professionals Day, here are some of the most notable ones from TV and film who claim that title.

Jennifer Marlowe (Lonnie Anderson; WKRP in Cincinnati)

Jennifer Marlowe was no dumb blonde! Bucking the trend of beautiful on-screen roles of the 70's, Marlowe kept things together at WKRP in Cincinnati, and kept would-be lover and station salesman, Herb Tarlek, at bay. Her looks and her smarts paid off. Preferring older men, she was showered with gifts from the wealthy, and was even the highest paid employee at the station.

Grace (Edie McClurg; Ferris Bueller's Day Off)

grace
(credit: Paramount Pictures)

Grace is the polite, but naïve secretary to Edward Rooney, Dean of Students at Bueller's high school. Her performance in this 80's cult classic is punctuated by her thick Midwest accent and her '60s style bubble hairdo, which McClurg says, she styled herself. Her hair is so big that at one point in the film, Grace discovers several pencils in it. During a conversation with Rooney about Bueller she delivers this famous line:

"The sportos, motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wasteoids, dweebies, dxxkheads. They all adore him! They think he's a righteous dude!"

Pam Beesley (Jenna Fischer; The Office)

Jenna Fischer Actress
(credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Portrayed at the beginning of the series as a quiet, submissive receptionist, who's aspiring to become more assertive and have a more artistic career, Pam eventually gets what she wants. She breaks up with her boyfriend of eight years and marries fellow employee, Jim Halpert. From there, she moves up the ladder at Dunder-Mifflin, and along the way she gains confidence and even gets accepted to Pratt Institute.

Miss Moneypenny (James Bond series)

The first Miss Moneypenny, Lois Maxwell (L) and a more recent Moneypenny, Samantha Bond (R).
(credit: Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images)

She's the secretary to M, the head of Britains MI6, and throughout the movie and book series is portrayed as having romantic tension with James Bond, although their relationship was apparently limited to business. She has access to top secret intelligence reports and holds the rank as Second Officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service, which is revealed in the movie You Only Live Twice. Just as Bond has been replaced over the years, so has Moneypenny.

Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts; Ghostbusters)

Jeanine
(credit: Columbia Pictures)

Janine is the secretary of the Ghostbusters and is bored with her job until the boys finally bag their first ghost. She shows a romantic attraction to Egon Spengler, but eventually becomes involved with the Ghostbusters' lawyer, Louis Tulley, in Ghostbusters II.

Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks; Mad Men)

Christina Hendricks
(credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

She's voluptuous, bold and sassy. The "queen bee" of the office secretarial pool, Hendricks says her character is considered hot because she's fiery and in touch with her sexuality and femininity. And, looking at the picture above, who are we to argue?

Cerie Xerox (Katrina Bowden; 30 Rock)

Katrina Bowden
(credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Liz Lemon's young personal assistant, Cerie's funny lines are mainly when she's talking to Liz because she naïvely assumes things about Liz - like that she's been married. She's a favorite with the guys on the show because she wears revealing clothing and doesn't feel it necessary to wear a bra. Her parents apparently got her the job, according to Bowden. She's lazy and no one knows why she's around.

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