Simms was the host of Style Network's "Area". She had a recurring role on "Sunset Beach", but is best known for her role as "Barbara Diffy", Phil's mom in the Disney Channel original series "Phil of the Future", where she also played "The Timekeeper" in the episode "It's a Wonder-Phil Life". She had a recurring role as "Connie Wayne" in the soap opera "The Young and the Restless", and made guest appearances on "Friends", "Providence", "MADtv", "3rd Rock from the Sun", "" and many others. She performed for President Ronald Reagan in 1988's "Great Performances at the White House" series, which aired on PBS. 