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Nancy Allen Actress
Nancy Allen, born on June 24, 1950, is an esteemed American actress recognized for her roles in numerous films helmed by Brian De Palma during the 1970s and early 1980s. Her achievements include a Golden Globe Award nomination and three Saturn Award nominations.
Her breakthrough came with her portrayal of Chris Hargensen in Brian De Palma’s “Carrie” (1976). Subsequently, Nancy Allen Actress starred as the lead in Robert Zemeckis’ comedy “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (1978) and had a supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s “1941” (1979). Nancy Allen Actress wed De Palma in 1979, and her performance as a witness to a murder in his film “Dressed to Kill” (1980) earned her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. She continued her collaboration with De Palma in “Blow Out” (1981), portraying a woman involved in an assassination. Allen and De Palma divorced in 1984.
She appeared in science fiction films such as “Strange Invaders” (1983) and “The Philadelphia Experiment” (1984), as well as Abel Ferrara’s television film “The Gladiator” (1986). Nancy Allen Actress gained widespread recognition for her role as Anne Lewis in Paul Verhoeven’s “RoboCop” (1987) and its sequels. Additional credits include “Poltergeist III” (1988), “Limit Up” (1990), and “Les patriotes” (1994).
Nancy Allen Actress shifted her focus from acting in 2008 and became involved in cancer support. In 2010, she was appointed executive director of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center in Los Angeles.
Nancy Anne Nancy Allen Actress was born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City, the youngest of three children. Her father, Eugene Allen, served as a New York police lieutenant. She pursued dance training at the High School of Performing Arts and Jose Quintano’s School for Young Professionals. Making her first film appearance in “The Last Detail” (1973) alongside Jack Nicholson, Allen gained widespread recognition three years later as Chris Hargensen in Stephen King’s “Carrie” (1976), directed by Brian De Palma. Nancy Allen Actress married De Palma in 1979. She went on to appear in Steven Spielberg’s “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (1978) and collaborated with De Palma in subsequent films such as “Home Movies” (1979), “Dressed to Kill” (1980), and “Blow Out” (1981).
Following her divorce from De Palma in 1984, Nancy Allen Actress surprised audiences with her portrayal of Officer Anne Lewis in the sci-fi cult classic “RoboCop” (1987), alongside Peter Weller. She continued to defy expectations with her role in the sequel “Poltergeist III” (1988) as Patricia Gardner. Allen reprised her role in “RoboCop 2” (1990) and “RoboCop 3” (1993), demonstrating her commitment to her character by undergoing martial arts and police training.
In 1993, Nancy Allen Actress appeared in “Acting on Impulse” (1993) alongside other veteran stars and married co-star Craig Shoemaker the same year. After divorcing Shoemaker, Allen remarried.
She continued her acting career with roles in diverse films such as “Dusting Cliff 7” (1997), “Secret of the Andes” (1998), and “Circuit” (2001), and made a guest appearance in Steven Soderbergh’s “Out of Sight” (1998). Her final television appearance was in the episode “Escape” of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1999), which aired on December 2, 2003. Nancy Allen Actress has been featured in numerous documentaries about her notable films, including “Dressed to Kill” (1980), “Carrie” (1976), “Blow Out” (1981), “Poltergeist III” (1988), and the “RoboCop” trilogy. She also co-hosted Andrew J. Kuehn’s horror film documentary “Terror in the Aisles” (1984) with Donald Pleasence.
Known for projecting strength and femininity, Nancy Allen Actress broke away from victim roles and stereotypes in action films. An environmentalist, she traded her Volvo for a hybrid car as an example. Nancy Allen Actress is also an advocate against breast cancer, co-founding the foundation WeSpark with her friend, actress Wendie Jo Sperber. Her last television appearances were on the Inside E! story of her co-star John Travolta and the A&E Biography of Travolta, both in 2004. Today, Nancy Allen Actress lives a peaceful life with her family and friends somewhere in the United States.
Early and Personal Life
Nancy Allen Actress entered the world on June 24, 1950 in the Bronx borough of New York City, as the youngest of three offspring to Eugene and Florence Allen. Her father served as a police lieutenant. The family resided on 196th Street in the Pelham Bay neighborhood of the Bronx.
A reserved child, Allen’s mother enrolled her in dance classes at the tender age of four to help overcome her shyness. She initially attended the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx before the family relocated to Yonkers. Fostering an interest in modern dance, she spent a year at the High School of Performing Arts, honing her skills for a potential dancing career. However, her enthusiasm waned as the focus shifted to academic performance, leading her to realize that dance, though cherished, wasn’t her sole passion. Consequently, she enrolled at Jose Quintano’s School for Young Professionals.
Renowned for her acting prowess, Nancy Allen’s personal journey has been characterized by significant relationships and career transitions.
Born on June 24, 1950, in New York City, New York, Nancy Allen, the actress, has encountered two marriages. Her first union was with actor Brian De Palma in 1979, with whom she collaborated extensively on various films directed by De Palma. However, their partnership concluded with a divorce in 1983.
In 1998, Nancy Allen entered matrimony once more, this time with builder and contractor Randy Bailey. Unfortunately, this marriage also met its end, with the couple parting ways in 2005 and finalizing their divorce in 2007.
Beyond her marital experiences, Nancy Allen Actress underwent a profound transformation in 2008, redirecting her focus towards supporting cancer patients and their families. This shift was prompted by the loss of her close friend and former co-star, Wendie Jo Sperber, to breast cancer in 2005.
In December 2010, Nancy Allen assumed the role of executive director at the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, dedicating herself to the operation of the program, shaping its structure, and raising funds. This endeavor became a central pillar of her life, reflecting her unwavering commitment to assisting individuals confronting cancer-related adversities.
In essence, Nancy Allen’s personal odyssey has been punctuated by both triumphs and setbacks, with her steadfast dedication to cancer support emerging as a defining element of her later years.
Career
Allen’s initial significant film role was as Nancy, Jack Nicholson’s jittery date, in The Last Detail (1973), helmed by Hal Ashby. This experience prompted her relocation to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career further. Initially, Allen encountered challenges securing acting opportunities and was even told by an agent that, at 25, her prospects were bleak. However, in November 1975, she auditioned for the role of Christine Hargensen, the spoiled and popular antagonist in director Brian De Palma’s horror classic Carrie (1976). Following an extensive casting process, Nancy Allen Actress clinched the role, despite nearly being replaced as per the producers’ directives.
Nancy Allen Actress subsequently portrayed Pam Mitchell in Steven Spielberg’s production of I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), which marked Robert Zemeckis’s directorial debut. She then assumed the role of Donna Stratton in Spielberg’s comedic venture, 1941 (1979).
She tied the knot with “Carrie” director Brian De Palma on January 12, 1979, and appeared in three more of his films over the ensuing years: Home Movies (1980) alongside Kirk Douglas, portraying Kristina; followed by her role as Liz Blake, a prostitute, in the thriller Dressed to Kill (1980), for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. Her final collaboration with De Palma was the neo-noir thriller Blow Out (1981), where she conquered a lifelong fear of being trapped in a submerged car.
In 1983, Nancy Allen Actress starred as Betty Walker, a supermarket tabloid reporter, in Strange Invaders, penned by Bill Condon and featuring Paul LeMat, Michael Lerner, and Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher.
Following her divorce from De Palma in 1984, Nancy Allen Actress cinematic endeavors continued with roles in The Buddy System opposite Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon, as well as The Philadelphia Experiment opposite Michael Paré. Notably, she garnered a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in The Philadelphia Experiment. Subsequently, Nancy Allen Actress commenced a relationship with Paré. She also hosted the horror film documentary Terror in the Aisles (1984), showcasing clips from notable horror features such as Dressed to Kill and Carrie. Additional projects such as Paul Bartel’s Not for Publication and Sweet Revenge ensued.
In 1994, she collaborated again with Bill Condon in The Man Who Wouldn’t Die, portraying psychic Jessie Gallardo alongside Roger Moore. She also had a supporting role in the French drama film Les patriotes (1994). Allen’s theatrical ventures included a Broadway production of Dial M For Murder in 1995, where she portrayed Margot. In the same year, she starred as Linda Savage in Quality Time, later renamed My Apocalypse, released in 2008. She married builder/contractor Randy Bailey in June 1998.
Nancy Allen Actress notable film roles in the late 1990s and early 2000s included Midge in Out of Sight (1998) directed by Steven Soderbergh, and Rachel Colby in Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return, and Madge in Kiss Toledo Goodbye (both released in 1999). She also starred in Secret of the Andes (2000), an adventure film featuring David Keith and Jerry Stiller. Her television appearances encompassed roles on Touched by an Angel, The Outer Limits, The Commish, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Following her separation from Bailey in 2005 and their subsequent divorce in 2007, Allen redirected her focus towards cancer support for patients and their families in 2008. This dedication stemmed from the passing of her friend and former co-star Wendie Jo Sperber from breast cancer in 2005. Nancy Allen Actress was appointed executive director of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center in December 2010, a role she embraced passionately, devoting her life’s work to cancer support and fundraising efforts. She also appeared in diverse films such as Dusting Cliff 7 (1997), Circuit (2001), and made a guest appearance in Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight (1998). Her final acting performance was in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), titled “Escape,” aired on December 2, 2003. Nancy Allen Actress has been featured in numerous documentaries exploring her notable filmography, including Dressed to Kill (1980), Carrie (1976), Blow Out (1981), Poltergeist III (1988), and the RoboCop trilogy. She also co-hosted the horror film documentary Terror in the Aisles (1984) alongside Donald Pleasence.
Mini Bio
| Name | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Nancy Allen (Nancy Allen Actress) |
| Birth of Date | June 24, 1950 |
| Birth Place | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Profession | Actress |
| Career | 1962–2008, 2012–present |
| Award Wins | N/A |
| Award Nominations | 7 |
| 1st Husband | Brian De Palma |
| Relationship | (m. 1979; div. 1984) |
| 2st Husband | Craig Shoemaker |
| Relationship | (m. 1992; div. 1993) |
| 3st Husband | Randy Bailey |
| Relationship | (m. 1998; div. 2007) |
| Partner | Michael Paré (1984–1985) |
Flims / Movies
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1973 | The Last Detail |
| 1975 | Forced Entry |
| 1976 | Carrie |
| 1978 | I Wanna Hold Your Hand |
| 1979 | 1941 |
| 1980 | Home Movies |
| 1980 | Dressed to Kill |
| 1981 | Blow Out |
| 1983 | Strange Invaders |
| 1984 | The Buddy System |
| 1984 | Terror in the Aisles |
| 1984 | The Philadelphia Experiment |
| 1984 | Not for Publication |
| 1986 | The Gladiator |
| 1987 | Sweet Revenge |
| 1987 | RoboCop |
| 1988 | Poltergeist III |
| 1989 | Limit Up |
| 1990 | RoboCop 2 |
| 1990 | Memories of Murder |
| 1993 | RoboCop 3 |
| 1993 | Acting on Impulse |
| 1994 | The Man Who Wouldn’t Die |
| 1994 | Les patriotes |
| 1997 | Against the Law |
| 1997 | Dusting Cliff 7 |
| 1998 | The Pass |
| 1998 | Out of Sight |
| 1999 | Secret of the Andes |
| 1999 | Kiss Toledo Goodbye |
| 1999 | Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return |
| 2001 | Circuit |
| 2008 | My Apocalypse |
| 2012 | Bound by Flesh |
| 2020 | In Search of Darkness: Part II |
| 2022 | In Search of Tomorrow |
Television / Shows
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1983–1984 | Another World |
| 1984 | Faerie Tale Theatre |
| 1994 | Touched by an Angel |
| 1995 | The Outer Limits |
| 1995 | The Commish |
| 2002 | The Division |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit |
