As an actress she starred as Chris Burgess on the series The Van Dyke Show in 1998. Kari Lizer starred as Cassie Phillips on the television series Matlock from 1986 to 1988. She also had recurring roles on the TV series Sunday Dinner, Weird Science, and Will & Grace and appeared in the films Private School and Smokey Bites the Dust. Lizer wrote for the TV series Weird Science and Maggie Winters and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for Will & Grace.