Adrienne Barbeau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adrienne Barbeau
|
|
|---|---|
Barbeau in June 2011
|
|
| Born |
Adrienne Jo Barbeau
June 11, 1945 Sacramento, California, U.S.
|
| Alma mater | Foothill College |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1968–present |
| Known for | Grease Maude The Fog Escape from New York Swamp Thing The Cannonball Run Creepshow General Hospital |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3, including Cody Carpenter |
Adrienne Jo Barbeau (born June 11, 1945) is an American actress and author. She became well-known in the 1970s for playing Rizzo in the original Broadway musical Grease. She also starred as Carol Traynor, the daughter of Maude Findlay, in the TV show Maude (1972–1978). In the 1980s, she started appearing in horror and science fiction movies like The Fog (1980), Escape from New York (1981), Creepshow (1982), and Swamp Thing (1982). She also provided the voice for Catwoman in the DC Animated Universe. In the 2000s, she played Ruthie in the HBO series Carnivàle (2003–2005).
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Adrienne Barbeau was born on June 11, 1945, in Sacramento, California. Her mother was of Armenian descent, and her father had French Canadian, Irish, and German roots. She has a sister, Jocelyn, and a half-brother, Robert. Adrienne went to Del Mar High School in San Jose, California. After finishing high school in 1963, she attended Foothill College. At 19, she left college to join a performing group that entertained people. She discovered her love for acting while performing for audiences.
A Career on Stage and Screen
Starting on Broadway
In the late 1960s, Barbeau moved to New York City. She began her Broadway career in the chorus of Fiddler on the Roof. Later, she took on the role of Hodel, one of Tevye's daughters, in the same show. She then starred in other musicals and plays, including Women Behind Bars and Grease. For her role as Rizzo in Grease, she won a Theater World Award and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1972.
Becoming a TV Star
During the 1970s, Barbeau became famous for her role as Carol Traynor in the comedy series Maude. She played the daughter of the main character, played by Bea Arthur. The show ran from 1972 to 1978. Adrienne Barbeau and Bea Arthur had a great friendship both on and off screen. Barbeau often spoke about how kind and professional Arthur was, always willing to help her co-stars. They remained close friends until Arthur's passing in 2009.
Barbeau also appeared in many TV movies and series like The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. She was known for her strong and confident characters.
From Comedy to Horror Films
Adrienne Barbeau's then-husband, director John Carpenter, cast her in his horror film, The Fog (1980). This was her first major movie role, and the film was a big success. It helped her become a star in horror and science fiction movies. She then appeared in other popular films directed by Carpenter, such as Escape from New York (1981). She also starred in Creepshow (1982) and Swamp Thing (1982). She also appeared in the comedy The Cannonball Run (1981) with Burt Reynolds and Back to School (1986) with Rodney Dangerfield.
Later Roles and Voice Acting
In the 1990s, Barbeau continued to act in TV movies. She gained new fans by providing the voice of Catwoman in Batman: The Animated Series and Gotham Girls. She also hosted a TV talk show and reviewed books for a radio station. In 1999, she guest-starred in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" as Senator Kimara Cretak.
In 1998, Barbeau released her first music album as a folk singer, titled Adrienne Barbeau. She also voiced the villain Helga Von Guggen in the cartoon series Totally Spies!. From 2003 to 2005, she was a regular on the HBO series Carnivàle. She also played Judy Garland in an off-Broadway play in 2006.
More recently, Barbeau had a cameo in Rob Zombie's 2007 film Halloween. She also appeared in The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2009) and voiced characters in video games like God of War III (2010) as the Greek goddess Hera, and Halo 4 (2012) as Dr. Tilson. She had a recurring role on the soap opera General Hospital from 2010 to 2011 and appeared in the drama Revenge in 2012 and 2015. In 2015, she joined the Broadway touring company of Pippin. In 2021, she voiced Queen Gehenna in the audio series The World to Come. She continues to act in films and TV shows, including 9-1-1 and Harlan Corben's Shelter in 2023.
Personal Life
Adrienne Barbeau married director John Carpenter on January 1, 1979. They had a son named John "Cody" Carpenter on May 7, 1984, and divorced later that year.
In 1991, Barbeau met actor and playwright Billy Van Zandt. They married in 1992. On March 17, 1997, Adrienne gave birth to twin boys, Walker Steven and William Dalton Van Zandt. The couple divorced in 2018.
Awards and Recognition
Adrienne Barbeau has received several awards and nominations throughout her career.
- In 1972, she won a Theatre World Award for her performance in Grease.
- She was nominated for a Tony Award in 1972 for her role in Grease.
- In 1977, she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her supporting role in the TV series Maude.
- She won a Fangoria Chainsaw Award in 2002 for Best Supporting Actress for The Convent.
- In 2016, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the New York City Horror Film Festival.
- More recently, in 2023, she won Best Actress in a Short Film at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival for Early Retirement and Best Supporting Actress in a Short Film at the FANtastic Horror Film Festival for Oddities.
See also
In Spanish: Adrienne Barbeau para niños
