Kristy Swanson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kristy Swanson
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Swanson in 2024
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| Born | December 19, 1969 Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 1 |
Kristy Swanson (born December 19, 1969) is an American actress. She is famous for playing Buffy Summers in the 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also appeared in the 1996 superhero film The Phantom.
Swanson's first leading role was in the horror movie Deadly Friend (1986). She later starred as Catherine "Cathy" Dollanganger in the movie Flowers in the Attic (1987). She has also been in many other films, including Hot Shots! (1991), The Chase (1994), Big Daddy (1999), and Dude, Where's My Car? (2000).
Contents
Early Life and First Roles
Kristy Swanson was born in California. Her parents were Rosemary and Robert Swanson, who was a high school teacher. When she was nine years old, she told her parents she wanted to be an actress.
She started by appearing in television commercials. Her first job was in a commercial for a doll house. After that, she appeared in several other commercials. This helped her start her acting career.
Career
Swanson began her career by taking acting classes and appearing in TV commercials. Soon, she started getting small parts in TV shows like Cagney and Lacey and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
Breaking into Movies
In 1986, Swanson appeared in two movies by the famous director John Hughes. She had a small part in Pretty in Pink and played a student in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Her first main role in a movie was in Wes Craven's 1986 horror film Deadly Friend, where she played Samantha. The next year, she starred as Cathy in Flowers in the Attic, which was based on a popular book.
Becoming a Star in the 1990s
Throughout the 1990s, Swanson focused mainly on movies. Her most famous role came in 1992 when she played the main character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The movie became very popular after it was released on video.
She also acted in other popular movies during this time. She was in the comedy Hot Shots!, the sports drama The Program, and the action movie The Chase. She also played Diana Palmer in the movie version of the comic book The Phantom.
Later in the 1990s, she appeared in the comedy 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag with Joe Pesci. She also played the ex-girlfriend of Adam Sandler's character in the 1999 hit movie Big Daddy.
Television and Later Work
Besides movies, Swanson has also worked in television. From 1998 to 1999, she had a main role in the TV series Early Edition. In 2000, she starred in the successful comedy movie Dude, Where's My Car? with Ashton Kutcher and Seann William Scott.
In 2006, she competed on and won the TV show Skating with Celebrities. Her partner on the show was professional skater Lloyd Eisler. She has also appeared as a guest star in shows like Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Psych.
Personal Life
Swanson married her Skating with Celebrities partner, Lloyd Eisler, in 2009. The couple has one son together.
Swanson has been open about her political views and has described herself as a Republican. She has acted in projects that reflect her conservative beliefs.
In 2021, Swanson was hospitalized after becoming sick with COVID-19 but later recovered.
Selected Filmography
Here are some of Kristy Swanson's most well-known movies and TV shows.
Films
- Pretty in Pink (1986)
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
- Deadly Friend (1986)
- Flowers in the Attic (1987)
- Hot Shots! (1991)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
- The Program (1993)
- The Chase (1994)
- Higher Learning (1995)
- The Phantom (1996)
- 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)
- Big Daddy (1999)
- Dude, Where's My Car? (2000)
- What If... (2010)
- Beethoven's Treasure Tail (2014)
Television
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1986)
- Mr. Boogedy (1986) - TV Movie
- Knots Landing (1987–1988)
- Nightingales (1989)
- Early Edition (1998–1999)
- CSI: Miami (2004)
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007)
- Psych (2011–2014)
- SEAL Team (2019)
Awards and Nominations
- 1989: Won a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress for Flowers in the Attic.
- 1992: Nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress for Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
See also
In Spanish: Kristy Swanson para niños
