 In 1974, Tolksdorf appeared in William Douglas Home's play "The Secretary Bird" at the Fisher Theatre, Detroit, in the role of the secretary.Later the same year, she was cast as Arlene Lovett in the soap opera "Love of Life", a role she continued to play until the series ended in early 1980.She reportedly declined an offer to join "The Young and the Restless" in order to try out for theatre roles in New York.