Podewell is best known for playing Cally Harper Ewing, the second wife of the character J.R. Ewing, on Dallas from 1988 to 1991. Podewell also appeared in the 1988 horror film Night of the Demons and the 1989 comedy film Beverly Hills Brats. She also had guest appearances on television series, including Valerie, Murder, She Wrote, Beverly Hills, 90210, Paradise, Walker, Texas Ranger and Growing Pains. In 2013, Podewell reprised her role as Cally Harper for J.R. Ewing's funeral episode in the second season of the new Dallas.