Lana Clarkson(1962-2003)
- Actress
- Stunts
- Soundtrack
This beautiful, long-legged blonde actress was known to be a kind,
intelligent and dependable actor with a comedic talent as well. She
appeared in many American TV hits of the 1970s and 1980s, such as
Three's Company (1976), The Jeffersons (1975), The New Mike Hammer (1984), Riptide (1984), Knight Rider (1982), Who's the Boss? (1984), The A-Team (1983), Night Court (1984),
Wings (1990) and Silk Stalkings (1991), among others. Her big-screen debut came in the
1982 Amy Heckerling film Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), as the character Mrs. Vargas. This film
starred Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Lana then landed a role in the Roger Corman
fantasy epic Deathstalker (1983). This led to her being offered the title role in
Corman's next film, the cult classic Barbarian Queen (1985). It was this association
with the legendary Corman that really put Lana on the B-movie map.
After starring in "Barbarian Queen" as the sword-wielding lead, a
character Corman fondly refers to as "the original Xena," Lana then
reprised the role in the sequel Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back (1990).
Lana's larger-than-life personality and striking beauty, along with
several of the movie roles she chose, inspired a cult fan following.
This warm fanfare was further cemented by her work in the John Landis spoof
Amazon Women on the Moon (1987). She was always a favorite at the ever-growing comic book
conventions, where she happily signed autographs and was known to be
friendly and accessible to all of her loyal fans, both young and old
alike.
Lana also did stunt work in Retroactive (1997). Her last film was March (2001), as Dr.
Ellen Taylor. Even though she did not do many movies toward the end of
her life, she found success working in television commercials, for such
products as Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Anheiser Busch, Playtex bras, Kmart
and Mattel. She had been spending her time creating comedic characters
for many of these companies. While working for the KMART Corp., Lana
made personal appearances as the character she created for the Route 66
clothing campaign, Katie Earline Wilson. She was an actress who had
more to offer Hollywood in the future, had her life not been cut so
tragically short.
intelligent and dependable actor with a comedic talent as well. She
appeared in many American TV hits of the 1970s and 1980s, such as
Three's Company (1976), The Jeffersons (1975), The New Mike Hammer (1984), Riptide (1984), Knight Rider (1982), Who's the Boss? (1984), The A-Team (1983), Night Court (1984),
Wings (1990) and Silk Stalkings (1991), among others. Her big-screen debut came in the
1982 Amy Heckerling film Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), as the character Mrs. Vargas. This film
starred Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Lana then landed a role in the Roger Corman
fantasy epic Deathstalker (1983). This led to her being offered the title role in
Corman's next film, the cult classic Barbarian Queen (1985). It was this association
with the legendary Corman that really put Lana on the B-movie map.
After starring in "Barbarian Queen" as the sword-wielding lead, a
character Corman fondly refers to as "the original Xena," Lana then
reprised the role in the sequel Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back (1990).
Lana's larger-than-life personality and striking beauty, along with
several of the movie roles she chose, inspired a cult fan following.
This warm fanfare was further cemented by her work in the John Landis spoof
Amazon Women on the Moon (1987). She was always a favorite at the ever-growing comic book
conventions, where she happily signed autographs and was known to be
friendly and accessible to all of her loyal fans, both young and old
alike.
Lana also did stunt work in Retroactive (1997). Her last film was March (2001), as Dr.
Ellen Taylor. Even though she did not do many movies toward the end of
her life, she found success working in television commercials, for such
products as Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Anheiser Busch, Playtex bras, Kmart
and Mattel. She had been spending her time creating comedic characters
for many of these companies. While working for the KMART Corp., Lana
made personal appearances as the character she created for the Route 66
clothing campaign, Katie Earline Wilson. She was an actress who had
more to offer Hollywood in the future, had her life not been cut so
tragically short.