Carol Potter played Joan Cummings, Meg's mother, who is adjusting to life in California after relocating with her husband from the heart of Kansas. Potter was born in New York City and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey. She dreamt of acting ever since she wrote her first play at the age of5. Potter earned a degree in social relations from Harvard University's Radcliffe College.

After college, Potter began working in small theatre roles and soon landed commercial work and small roles on "One Life to Live" and "The Doctors." In 1981 she netted a role in "Today's FBI" with Mike Connors and relocated to Los Angeles. Potter's career flourished in Los Angeles. She landed several roles on "Highway to Heaven" and "L.A. Law" and Potter is best known for her work as Cindy Walsh on Aaron Spelling's "Beverly Hills 90210." It was the latter role that eventually prompted the producers of "Sunset Beach" to invite her to play Joan Cummings.

Potter earned a masters degree in marriage and family counseling from Phillips Graduate Institute in 1997 and has a counseling practice. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband.