Lesley-Anne Down
Lesley-Anne Down | |
---|---|
Born | Lesley Anne Down 17 March 1954[1] Wandsworth, London, England |
Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, model |
Years active | 1968–present |
Spouses | Enrique Gabriel
(m. 1980; div. 1981) |
Partner | Bruce Robinson (1969–1979) |
Children | 2 |
Website | lesleyannedown |
Lesley-Anne Down (born 17 March 1954) is a British actress, singer and former model. She made her motion picture debut in the 1969 drama film
Down received further recognition for her performances in the films
In 1990, Down played the role
Life and career
Early life
Down was born on 17 March 1954 and brought up in Wandsworth, London, England.
1970s
In 1971, Down guest-starred in the British television series Six Dates with Barker, Out of the Unknown, and Public Eye. Also that year, she starred in three movies: first was Countess Dracula, a horror film based on some of the legends surrounding the Countess Elizabeth Báthory playing the role of Elisabeth's daughter.[5] She starred in the thriller film Assault playing the role of schoolgirl who was raped on her way home from school. She also had a supporting role in the 20th Century Fox's drama film All the Right Noises. In 1972, Down starred in the historical drama film Pope Joan opposite Liv Ullmann and Olivia de Havilland. In 1973, she appeared in the Western film Scalawag starring and directed by Kirk Douglas.
In 1973, Down was cast as
In 1976, Down starred in the comedy film The Pink Panther Strikes Again opposite Peter Sellers. The film was released by United Artists, received positive reviews from critics and grossed $75 million worldwide.[7] The following year she starred in the musical comedy film A Little Night Music starring opposite Elizabeth Taylor in the adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's 1973 musical of the same name.[8] The film received mostly negative reviews.[9][10] In 1978, Down played the leading role of burlesque artist Phyllis Dixey in the BAFTA Award-nominated made-for-television drama film, The One and Only Phyllis Dixey.[11] She appeared in the romantic drama film The Betsy and played the female lead opposite Sean Connery in the heist comedy film The First Great Train Robbery. The latter received positive reviews from critics and Downs' performance was noted by Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times.[12][13] Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote: "Mr. Sutherland, as the none-too-bright locksmith, and Miss Down, who must appear in several figuratively transparent disguises, have fun with what are, in effect, character roles. The three work together beautifully."[14] In 1979, Down starred opposite Harrison Ford in the romantic war drama film Hanover Street, it received mixed-to-positive reviews and was considered a box-office failure.[15][16][17]
1980s
In 1980, she starred opposite Burt Reynolds in the crime comedy film Rough Cut.[18] Gary Arnold of The Washington Post wrote: "Lesley-Anne Down often looks as ravishing as Ava Gardner in her prime. The heady sensation crated when her generous lips expand into a brilliant smile is an incidental pleasure well worth overindulging, but it would be even better if she had a role that permitted her more relaxation and confidence (and a costumer and hairdresser who consistently enhanced her beauty). The heroine's dialogue seems to have been contrived under the influence of vague recollections of Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief." The role affects an hauteur that doesn't become Lesley-Anne Down somehow. It also appears to tax her acting technique, which isn't nearly as sleek as Kelly's. I suspect that the very idea of presenting her as a bitchy-elegant society girl inhibits Down rather more than it flatters her. There are moments when she seems to stiffen up as severely as Kim Novak at her least secure."[19] In 1981, Down went to star in the adventure film Sphinx directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and based on the 1979 novel of the same name by Robin Cook. Down played Egyptologist researching a paper about the chief architect to Pharaoh Seti in the movie. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote: "The performers are terrible, none more so than Mr. Langella, who is supposed to be mysterious and romantic but behaves with all of the charm of a room clerk at the Nile Hilton. Miss Down spends a good deal of her time going, Eeeeeeek! and is frequently hysterical - Egyptian room service being especially maddening. At her best, she reminds one of Jacqueline Bisset, but unlike Miss Bisset, who has survived many movies like this with her identity intact, Miss Down seems to dissolve as the film lurches on. By the end, I was sure she was Jacqueline Bisset."[20][21]
After Sphinx, Down returned to television playing British socialite
In 1985, Down starred as Madeline Fabray LaMotte in the ABC miniseries,
1990s
In 1990, Down was cast as a series regular for a limited run in the CBS primetime soap opera
In 1996, Aaron Spelling cast her as Olivia Richards on his new daytime soap opera, Sunset Beach. Her character was the mix of Sue Ellen Ewing and Alexis Colby of the 1980s prime time soaps.[39] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "Chief among the large cast is Lesley-Anne Down, irresistible as a hooked-on-vodka matron who may or may not have murdered her lover."[40] In 1997, for her portrayal of Olivia, Down won the award for "Best Actress" at the Soap Opera Update Awards.[41] The series aired on NBC from January 1997 to December 1999. During the series, Down also appeared in the Rodney Dangerfield's comedy film Meet Wally Sparks (1997), and starred in the Young Hearts Unlimited (1998), a made-for-television family comedy film directed by third husband, Don E. FauntLeRoy.[42]
2000s—present
After the cancellation of Sunset Beach, Down appeared in films The King's Guard (2000), The Meeksville Ghost (2001) and 13th Child (2002). She starred in two Lifetime movies: The Perfect Wife (2001) and You Belong to Me (2002) based on Mary Higgins Clark's novel.[43] In 2001, she guest-starred as Lady Sheraton in the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives appearing in five episodes.[44] She had cameo appearances in Don E. FauntLeRoy-directed action films Today You Die (2005) and Mercenary for Justice (2006), both starred Steven Seagal. Down wrote screenplay and starred in the 2006 comedy-drama film Seven Days of Grace. Filming began on March 17, 1996, 10 years before the eventual 2006 release of the film.[45][46] The film was finally released to theaters on April 1, 2006. In 2003, Down was cast in another soap playing the role of Jackie Marone on The Bold and the Beautiful on CBS. She first appeared on April 1, 2003. In January 2012, Down confirmed that she would be departing the programme.[47] Her final appearance was on February 29, 2012.
In 2011, Down appeared in the thriller film
In 2020, Down moved to
Personal life
After ending a 10-year relationship with actor-writer Bruce Robinson,[56] Down married Enrique Gabriel in 1980, but ended their marriage after a year and a half. Her second marriage was to film director William Friedkin from 1982 to 1985, with whom she had one son.[3]
She met her third husband, cinematographer Don E. FauntLeRoy, during filming of the television miniseries North and South in 1985. Their relationship ended Down's marriage to Friedkin and Fauntleroy's marriage to Susan Ducat.[57] The resulting legal and custody proceedings interrupted the careers of both Down and Fauntleroy for two years and ultimately cost Down and Friedkin US$1 million each.[3][57] Down and Fauntleroy have a son.[57][58]
Down has spoken on several occasions about dealing with sexual predators in the film industry. In 2002, she spoke of finding fame in the late 1960s: "The casting couch was in full swing, people expected it... My teenage years were pretty intense, a lot of pressure and a lot of horrible old men out there".[59] In a 1977 interview, she had also said: "I was promised lots of lovely big film parts by American producers if I went to bed with them. Believe me, the casting couch is no myth".[60]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | The Smashing Bird I Used to Know | Diana | |
1970 | Sin Un Adios | Marta Greidy | |
1971 | All the Right Noises | Laura | |
1971 | Assault | Tessa Hurst | |
1971 | Countess Dracula | Ilona Nodosheen | |
1972 | Pope Joan | Cecilia | |
1973 | Scalawag | Lucy-Ann | |
1974 | From Beyond the Grave | Rosemary Seaton | segment "The Door" |
1975 | Brannigan | Luana | |
1976 | The Pink Panther Strikes Again | Olga Bariosova | |
1977 | A Little Night Music | Anne Egerman | |
1978 | The Betsy | Lady Bobby Ayres | |
1978 | The First Great Train Robbery | Miriam | |
1979 | Hanover Street | Margaret Sellinger | |
1980 | Rough Cut | Gillian Bromley | |
1981 | Sphinx | Erica Baron | |
1986 | Nomads | Dr. Eileen Flax | |
1987 | Scenes from the Goldmine | Herself | |
1992 | Out of Control
|
Elaine Patterson | |
1993 | Night Trap | Christine Turner | |
1994 | Munchie Strikes Back | Linda McClelland | |
1994 | Death Wish V: The Face of Death | Olivia Regent | |
1994 | In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful | Jean Bradshaw | |
1996 | The Secret Agent Club | Eve | |
1997 | Meet Wally Sparks | Hooker Nurse | cameo |
2000 | The King's Guard | Queen Beatrice | |
2001 | The Meeksville Ghost | Emily Meeks | |
2002 | 13th Child | District Attorney Murphy | |
2005 | Today You Die | Bank Manager | |
2006 | Seven Days of Grace
|
Lillian | Actress and writer |
2006 | Mercenary for Justice | Newscaster | Uncredited |
2011 | Cinnamon | Aunt Dora | |
2011 | Rosewood Lane | Dr. Cloey Talbot | |
2014 | Dark House | Lilian Di Santo | |
2015 | Kill Me, Deadly | Grand Dame Lady Clairmont | |
2015 | Absolution | Svetlana | |
2015 | Of God and Kings | Madame Renard | |
2017 | Justice | Elizabeth | |
2018 | Alex & the List | Victoria | |
2019 | Gates of Darkness | Sister Clare | Actress and writer |
TBA | Reagan
|
Margaret Thatcher | Post-production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | Six Dates with Barker | Cheeky | 1 episode, "2774 AD: All the World's a Stooge" |
1971 | Out of the Unknown | Diana Carver | 1 episode, "To Lay a Ghost" |
1971 | Public Eye | Anne Biddersloe | 1 episode, "Shades of White" |
1973–1975 | Upstairs, Downstairs | Georgina Worsley | 22 episodes |
1976 | When the Boat Comes In | Jane Cromer | 1 episode, "King for a Day" |
1974 | Bedtime Stories | Monica | 1 episode, "The Snow Queen" |
1975 | The Sweeney | Caroline Selhurst | 1 episode, "Chalk and Cheese" |
1977 | Play of the Month | Ellie Dunn | 1 episode, "Heartbreak House" |
1977 | Supernatural
|
Felizitas | 1 episode, "Mr. Nightingale" |
1978 | The One and Only Phyllis Dixey | Phyllis Dixey | Television film |
1981 | BBC2 Playhouse | Unity Mitford | 1 episode, "Unity" |
1982 | Murder Is Easy | Bridget Conway | Television film |
1982 | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Esmeralda
|
Television Film |
1984 | The Last Days of Pompeii | Chloe | TV mini-series |
1985 | Arch of Triumph
|
Joan Madou | Television film |
1985 | North and South
|
Madeline Fabray LaMotte | TV mini-series |
1986 | North and South, Book II
|
Madeline LaMotte Main | |
1988 | Indiscreet | Anne Kingston | Television film |
1988 | Ladykillers | Morganna Ross | Television film |
1989 | Night Walk | Geneva Miller | Television film |
1989 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Cassandra | 1 episode, "Shivers" |
1990 | Dallas | Stephanie Rogers
|
13 episodes |
1992 | 1775 | Annabelle Proctor | TV pilot |
1994 | The Nanny | Chloe Simpson | 1 episode, " Maggie the Model "
|
1994 | Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III
|
Madeline Main | TV mini-series |
1995 | A Family of Cops
|
Anna Novacek | Television film |
1996 | Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus | Morgana | Television film |
1996 | Diagnosis: Murder | Catherine Windsor | 1 episode, "A Model Murder" |
1997–1999 | Sunset Beach | Olivia Richards | TV series, Main cast |
1998 | Young Hearts Unlimited | Barbara Young | Television film |
2001 | Days of Our Lives | Lady Sheraton | 5 episodes |
2001 | The Perfect Wife | Helen Coburn | Television film |
2001 | You Belong to Me | Dr. Susan Chancellor | Television film |
2003–2012 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Jackie Marone | TV series, Main cast |
2016 | I Am Watching You | Margaret | Television film |
2016 | A Cinderella Christmas | Victoria Carmichael | Television film |
Awards and nominations
Year | Result | Award | Category | Film or series |
---|---|---|---|---|
1978 | Won | Evening Standard British Film Awards | Most Promising Newcomer – Actress | |
1986 | Nominated | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | North and South
|
1997 | Won | Soap Opera Update Awards
|
Best Actress | Sunset Beach |
2005 | Won | Rose D'Or Light Entertainment Festival | Best Soap Female | The Bold and the Beautiful |
2005 | Nominated | Soap Opera Digest Awards | Favorite Return | The Bold and the Beautiful |
2006 | Won | TV Soap Golden Boomerang Award | Popular Supporting Female | The Bold and the Beautiful |
References
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- ^ a b c d e Ross, Deborah (30 November 1998). "Interview: Life's a Sunset Beach". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Lesley-Anne Down Archives".
- ^ [email protected], Darkmoon. "ICVD: Creatures of the Night, Exchanging Glances". Castlevania: The Inverted Dungeon.
- ^ "Upstairs, Downstairs - Out of Costume". Retrieved 24 January 2022.
- ^ "The Pink Panther Strikes Again - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 17 December 1976.
- ^ "Lesley-Anne Down official website – Biography". Archived from the original on 7 August 2009.
- ^ "A Little Night Music - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 5 June 2007.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (8 March 1978). "Film: 'A Little Night Music':Bergman-Inspired" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Potter, Jeremy. Independent Television in Britain: Volume 4: Companies and Programmes, 1968–80. Palgrave Macmillan, 1990.
- ^ "The Great Train Robbery - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 16 September 2008.
- ^ Ebert, Roger. "The Great Train Robbery movie review (1979) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com/.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (2 February 1979). "Screen: 'Train Robbery' Steams In on New Run:25,000 Caper" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Hanover Street - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. 1 April 2010.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (18 May 1979). "Film: 'Hanover Street,' a Love Story:Romantic Mixed Nuts" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ THE BIG THUDS OF 1979--FILMS THAT FLOPPED, BADLY Epstein, Andrew. Los Angeles Times 27 Apr 1980: o6.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (19 June 1980). "Film: 'Rough Cut,' a Comedy About Jewel Thieves; Diamond Caper" – via NYTimes.com.
- ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (11 February 1981). "Schaffner'S 'Sphinx'". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^ "Sphinx". Variety. 31 December 1980. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
- ^ "Unity". Radio Times. No. 2992. 14 March 1981.
- ^ O'Connor, John J. (29 May 1985). "'ARCH OF TRIUMPH,' PARIS ON EVE OF WORLD WAR II" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "Lesley-Anne Down". 8 June 2015.
- ^ Bennett, Mark (11 August 2007). "John Jakes' journey to New York Times bestseller list included boyhood years in Terre Haute". Tribune-Star. Terre Haute, Ind. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ^ "John Jakes '53 Discusses Writing and His Upcoming Book". DePauw University. 18 March 2002. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-3132-9530-0. Retrieved 7 January 2010.
- ^ "Lesley-Anne Down". Golden Globes.
- ^ "Director Billy Friedkin and Lesley-Anne Down Make a Home Movie-Divorce Hollywood Style". Peoplemag.
- ^ "DIVORCE THE HARD WAY - UPI Archives". UPI.
- ^ Variety Staff (1 January 1985). "Nomads".
- ^ Television Reviews Sans Ingrid and Cary, 'Indiscreet' Is Inept: [Home Edition] Christon, Lawrence. Los Angeles Times (24 October 1988: 8.
- ^ Meeks, Christopher (9 September 1992). "1775".
- ^ "CIVIL WAR SAGA ENDS IN 'HEAVEN AND HELL'". 27 February 1994.
- ^ O'Connell, Patricia (25 February 1994). "John Jakes' Heaven and Hell: North and South Part 3".
- ^ Lesley-Anne Down at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ Sandler, Adam (22 November 1995). "A Family of Cops".
- ^ "Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus (1996) - Gabrielle Beaumont | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie" – via www.allmovie.com.
- ^ "Interview: Lesley-Anne Down - I'm such a cheapskate; I use washing up liquid on my hair; FORGET THE GLITZY PARTIES - LESLEY-ANNE DOWN TELLS SHARON FEINSTEIN SHE WOULD RATHER BE AT HOME. - Free Online Library". www.thefreelibrary.com.
- ^ "Sunset Beach | TV Review | Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly. 21 April 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009.
- ^ "Lesley-Anne Down, 'Days' win top soap awards". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. (Lee Enterprises). 9 September 1997. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ "About the Actors | Lesley-Anne Down | The Bold and the Beautiful on Soap Central". soapcentral.com.
- ^ Service, LUAINE LEE, Scripps Howard News. "Actress Lesley-Anne Down's career's definitely on the up and up". New Bedford Standard-Times.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ "Filming & Production". IMDB. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ "Seven Days of Grace". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ "B&B's Down Off Contract". Soap Opera Digest. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ "First Images, Cast for 'Jeepers Creepers' Director's 'Rosewood Lane' – Bloody Disgusting!". Bloody Disgusting!. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ Patrick Hipes (13 February 2016). "'Kill Me, Deadly' Trailer: 'Criminal Minds' Crew's Noir Spoof Movie – Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ Scheck, Frank (5 April 2016). "'Kill Me, Deadly': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Erik Pedersen (24 March 2016). "'Justice' Rounds Out Cast; Rory Cochrane Joins 'The Most Hated Woman in America' - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ Eades, Chris (1 December 2016). "THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL's Lesley-Anne Down Previews Her Romantic New Movie!".
- ^ Papadatos, Markos (8 April 2021). "Lesley-Anne Down talks about 'Gates of Darkness,' and success (Includes interview)". Digital Journal.
- ^ "Catching Up With Lesley-Anne Down (ex-Olivia, SUNSET BEACH et al)". 10 January 2022.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (11 November 2020). "Voltage Pictures' 'Reagan' finds its Margaret Thatcher (exclusive)". Screen.
- ^ "tutorgig.com". Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ a b c Allis, Tim (28 February 1994). "The Spoils of War". People. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
- ^ "Biography at Lesley-Anne Down". Archived from the original on 7 August 2009.
- ^ "Actress Lesley-Anne Down's career's definitely on the up and up". South Coast Today. 24 February 2002. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "Chatter". People Magazine. 21 March 1977. Retrieved 25 September 2014.