Colleen Celeste Camp (born June 7, 1953) is an American character actress and producer. After appearing in several bit parts, she had a lead role in the comedy The Swinging Cheerleaders (1974), followed by roles in two installments of the Police Academy series. Camp had supporting roles in Lady of the House (1978), Apocalypse Now (1979), and The Seduction (1982), after which she played Julie’s mother in Valley Girl and Yvette the Maid in the 1985 comedy Clue.[2]
Colleen Camp | |
|---|---|
 Camp in 2018 | |
| Born | Colleen Celeste Camp June 7, 1953[1] |
| Education | John H. Francis Polytechnic High School |
| Alma mater | Los Angeles Valley College California State University, Northridge |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Known for | The Swinging Cheerleaders Apocalypse Now |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Camp has continued to have minor and supporting roles in various independent and studio films, including Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995), Election (1999), Factory Girl (2006), Palo Alto (2013), American Hustle (2013), and The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018).
Early life
editColleen Camp was born in San Francisco, California. She has two brothers, Don and Glen.[3] She moved to the San Fernando Valley at a young age and attended John H. Francis Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles Valley College, and California State University, Northridge, where she majored in English and minored in theater arts.[3]
Career
editTo help pay for college, Camp trained macaws at Busch Gardens on weeknights, weekends, and then during summers performing for crowds of up to 2,000 in six shows a day, six days a week.[4] Aspiring to be an actress, Camp took private acting and singing lessons. She was noticed by a talent agent for her hour-long Busch Gardens television special featuring her and her birds, and hired for national-television commercials for Gallo wine and Touch of Sweden hand lotion.[3][5] This exposure led to small television parts in shows such as Marcus Welby, M.D., Happy Days, and Love, American Style, as well as a six-episode stint on the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man.[3]
Camp landed small early roles in films like Funny Lady with Barbra Streisand and James Caan, and Smile with Bruce Dern and Barbara Feldon in 1975.[3][4] She also appeared in the Bruce Lee movie Game of Death (1978) as his girlfriend, Ann, the young aspiring singer (her scenes were shot with a lookalike as Lee had died before she became involved) performing the film's love theme "Will This Be The Song I'll Be Singing Tomorrow". Camp went on to portray a Playmate in Francis Coppola's 1979 film Apocalypse Now (followed by an actual pictorial in the October 1979 Playboy), though most of her footage was cut from the initial theatrical release. She would later feature more prominently in Coppola's Redux cut. She was also the first actress to play Kristin Shepard, the sister of Linda Gray's character, in the primetime soap opera Dallas in 1979. Mary Crosby later replaced Camp in this role.[6]
Camp worked steadily in film comedies like Peter Bogdanovich's 1981 comedy They All Laughed, 1983's Valley Girl, 1985's Clue, and the 1994 Michael J. Fox comedy Greedy. She played a police officer in two of the Police Academy films and in Die Hard with a Vengeance. Camp was nominated twice for the Worst Supporting Actress Golden Raspberry Award – first, in 1982, for The Seduction, and then, in 1993, for Sliver. In 1999, she had a small part as character Tracy Flick's overbearing mother in the film Election, with Reese Witherspoon as Tracy.[7] She appeared in the episode "Simple Explanation" of House in 2009.
In 2013, she appeared in a supporting role in David O. Russell's American Hustle [8] The following year, Camp co-produced a Broadway production of Love Letters[9] and in 2015 co-produced and appeared in Eli Roth's thriller Knock Knock[10] — a remake of Death Game (1977, filmed 1974), which she'd acted in.[11]
Personal life
editIn the late 1970s, Camp dated Dean Tavoularis, whom she met in the Philippines while filming Apocalypse Now.[3] In 1986, she married John Goldwyn, a Paramount executive; they later divorced in 2001.
In November 2020, Camp's engagement to 34-year-old Garrett Moore, son of photographer Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda, was announced.[12]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Battle for the Planet of the Apes | Julie | Uncredited |
| 1974 | The Last Porno Flick | Also known as: Those Mad, Mad Moviemakers | |
| The Swinging Cheerleaders | Mary Ann | ||
| 1975 | Funny Lady | Billy's Girl | |
| Smile | Connie | ||
| 1976 | Ebony, Ivory & Jade | Ginger Douglas | |
| The Gumball Rally | Franco's Date | ||
| Amelia Earhart | Starlet | ||
| 1977 | Death Game | Donna | |
| Love and the Midnight Auto Supply | Billie Jean | ||
| 1978 | Game of Death | Ann Morris | |
| Lady of the House | Rosette | ||
| Cat in the Cage | Gilda Riener | ||
| 1979 | Apocalypse Now | Playmate | |
| 1980 | Cloud Dancer | Cindy | |
| 1981 | They All Laughed | Christy Miller | |
| 1982 | The Seduction | Robin | |
| Deadly Games | Randy | ||
| 1983 | Valley Girl | Sarah Richman | |
| Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 | Dusty Trails | ||
| Trial by Terror | |||
| 1984 | The City Girl | Rose | |
| Joy of Sex | Liz Sampson | ||
| The Rosebud Beach Hotel | Tracy King | ||
| 1985 | Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment | Sgt. Kathleen Kirkland | |
| Doin' Time | Nancy Catlett | ||
| D.A.R.Y.L. | Elaine Fox | ||
| Clue | Yvette | ||
| 1986 | Screwball Academy | Liberty Jean | Straight-to-video |
| 1987 | Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol | Mrs. Kirkland-Tackleberry | |
| Walk Like a Man | Rhonda Shand | ||
| 1988 | Illegally Yours | Molly Gilbert | |
| Track 29 | Arlanda | ||
| 1989 | Wicked Stepmother | Jenny Fisher | |
| 1990 | My Blue Heaven | Dr. Margaret Snow Coopersmith | |
| 1992 | Wayne's World | Mrs. Vanderhoff | |
| The Vagrant | Judy Dansig | ||
| Unbecoming Age | Deborah | ||
| 1993 | Sliver | Judy Marks | |
| Last Action Hero | Ratcliff | ||
| Naked in New York | Auditioner | ||
| 1994 | Greedy | Patti | |
| 1995 | Die Hard with a Vengeance | Connie Kowalski | |
| The Baby-Sitters Club | Maureen McGill | ||
| Three Wishes | Neighbor's Wife | ||
| 1996 | House Arrest | Mrs. Burtis | |
| The Associate | Detective Jones | ||
| The Lone Star Letters | Deulah Pooch | ||
| 1997 | The Ice Storm | Dr. Pasmier | |
| Plump Fiction | Viv | ||
| Speed 2: Cruise Control | Debbie | ||
| 1999 | Election | Judith R. Flick | |
| Love Stinks | Monica Harris | ||
| Goosed | Jane | ||
| Jazz Night | Marge Winslow | ||
| 2000 | Loser | Homeless Woman | |
| 2001 | Someone Like You... | Realtor | |
| An American Rhapsody | Dottie | Also co-producer | |
| Rat Race | Rainbow House Nurse | ||
| 2002 | Joshua | Joan Casey | |
| Second to Die | Cynthia | ||
| Trapped | Joan Evans | ||
| 2004 | Who's Your Daddy? | Beverly Hughes | |
| L.A. Twister | Judith | ||
| In Good Company | Receptionist | ||
| 2005 | Rumor Has It... | Pasadenan Wife | |
| 2006 | Material Girls | Charlene | |
| Running with Scissors | Joan | ||
| Factory Girl | Mrs. Whitley | ||
| 2007 | Noise | Mrs. Broomell | |
| 2008 | Four Christmases | Aunt Donna | |
| 2009 | Winter of Frozen Dreams | Jerry's Mother | |
| Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant | Mrs. Shan | ||
| Porky's Pimpin' Pee Wee | Helen Morris | ||
| 2010 | Burning Palms | Barbara Barish | |
| Psych:9 | Beth | ||
| 2011 | Balls to the Wall | Maureen | |
| Hollywood & Wine | Judge Head | ||
| Love, Wedding, Marriage | Ethel | ||
| Homecoming | Cathy | ||
| 2012 | A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III | Karen | |
| 2013 | Palo Alto | Sally | |
| American Hustle | Brenda | ||
| 2014 | Chicanery | Regina Moon | |
| She's Funny That Way | Cece | ||
| 2015 | Knock Knock | Vivian | Also co-producer |
| Grandma | Bonobo Customer | ||
| Joy | Lori | ||
| 2016 | Always Shine | Sandra | |
| 2017 | An Imperfect Murder | Elaine Lockman | |
| The Truth About Lies | May | Also co-producer | |
| 2018 | The House with a Clock in Its Walls | Mrs. Hanchett | |
| 2019 | Above Suspicion | Jolene's Customer | |
| 2020 | Spenser Confidential | Mara | |
| Mainstream | Judy | ||
| 2021 | Violet | Connie Campos | |
| 2022 | 9 Bullets | Drew | |
| Father Stu | Motel Receptionist | ||
| Monstrous | Mrs. Langtree | ||
| Amsterdam | Eva Ott | ||
| 5-25-77 | Janet Johnson | ||
| 2023 | Back on the Strip | Rita | |
| 2024 | The Deliverance | Doctor Hoffsteder | |
| The Trainer | |||
| All Happy Families | Lila |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Betty Adams | 1 episode |
| Love, American Style | Jane / Diane | 2 episodes | |
| 1975 | Happy Days | Rose | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Harry O | Karen Bremmer | 1 episode |
| Doc | 1 episode | ||
| Isis | Wynn | 1 episode | |
| Starsky and Hutch | Bobette | 1 episode | |
| 1976–1977 | Rich Man, Poor Man—Book II | Vicki St. John | 6 episodes |
| 1976 | Man from Atlantis | Amanda | 1 episode |
| 1979 | Dallas | Kristin Shepard | 2 episodes |
| 1981 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Bonnie Lane | 1 episode |
| 1982 | WKRP | Herself | 1 episode |
| 1984 | Magnum, P.I. | Valerie Cane | 1 episode |
| 1985 | Tales from the Darkside | Connie Squires | 1 episode |
| 1987–1988 | Murder, She Wrote | Dody Rogers / Dep. Marigold Feeney | 2 episodes |
| 1988 | Addicted to His Love | Ellie Snyder | Television film |
| 1990 | Tales from the Crypt | Mrs. Mildred Korman | 1 episode |
| 1991 | Thirtysomething | Deborah Branchflower Diggs | 1 episode |
| Backfield in Motion | Laurie | Television film | |
| 1993 | For Their Own Good | Chris | Television film |
| 1993–1996 | Roseanne | Jill / Dawn / Secretary | 3 episodes |
| 1994 | Tom | Kara Wilhoit | 12 episodes |
| 1996 | The Right to Remain Silent | Mrs. Buford Lowry | Television film |
| Suddenly | Jude | Television film | |
| 2000 | Bar Hopping | Chick with Ax to Grind | Television film |
| 2001 | How to Make a Monster | Faye Clayton | Television film |
| 2005 | Mystery Woman: Mystery Weekend | Maura Hobbs | Television film |
| 2006 | Dead and Deader | Mrs. Wisteria | Television film |
| 2006–2007 | The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman | Angela Birnbaum | 4 episodes |
| 2007 | Entourage | Marjorie | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | House | Charlotte | 1 episode |
| 2012 | Waffle Hut | Carla | Television film |
| 2013 | Mob City | Woman in Restaurant | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Rake | Judge Yvonne Ritsema | 1 episode |
| 2015 | American Dad! | Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (voice) | 1 episode |
| 2016 | Aquarius | 3 episodes | |
| 2017 | Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: Home Again | Sunny Haywith | Television film |
| 2018 | Andi Mack | Cookie | 1 episode |
| 2019 | Sherman's Showcase | Herself | 1 episode |
| 2020 | The Twilight Zone | Chantal Stargazer | 1 episode |
| 2024 | Matlock | Sherlene | 1 episode |
References
edit- ^ "Celebrity birthdays for the week of June 6–12". ABC News.
- ^ "Actress Returns To Sex Symbol Role - Sun Sentinel". Articles.sun-sentinel.com. December 13, 1985. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f Erwin, Fran (May 26, 1977). "From Bird Girl at Busch Gardens to movie star, her career takes flight". The Valley News. Van Nuys, California: Van Nuys Publishing. p. 60. ISSN 0192-7264.
- ^ a b Morning News staff (October 31, 1974). "True Blond". The Morning News. Wilmington, Delaware: Gannett Company. p. 38. ISSN 1042-4121.
- ^ Herefore Brand staff (April 6, 1975). "On the TV Scene". Hereford Brand. Hereford, Texas: Ray, Googer & Co. p. 14. OCLC 13695046.
- ^ Curran, Barbara A. (2005). Dallas: The Complete Story of the World's Favorite Prime-Time Soap. Cumberland House Publishing. ISBN 978-1581824728.
- ^ "Colleen Camp | Movies and Biography - Yahoo Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ "Review: 'American Hustle' shakes things up in madcap style - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. December 12, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ "Colleen Camp". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ King, Susan (October 3, 2015). "In 'Knock Knock,' actress Colleen Camp has a cameo -- and a producer credit". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ Horn, Shawn Van (March 26, 2023). "Before John Wick, Ana de Armas & Keanu Reeves Starred in This Erotic Horror Story". Collider. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
- ^ Cope, Rebecca (November 9, 2020). "A 1970s pin-up is engaged to the Earl of Drogheda's son". Tatler.
External links
edit
- Colleen Camp at IMDb
- Colleen Camp at the TCM Movie Database
- ‹The template AllMovie name is being considered for deletion.› Colleen Camp at AllMovie
- Colleen Camp at the American Film Institute catalog
