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Nancy Allen Actress
Nancy Allen Actress, born on June 24, 1950, is an esteemed American actress known for her notable performances in numerous films directed by Brian De Palma during the 1970s and early 1980s. Her contributions have earned her recognition, including a Golden Globe Award nomination and three Saturn Award nominations.
Nancy Allen Actress rose to prominence with her portrayal of Chris Hargensen in Brian De Palma’s iconic film “Carrie” (1976). Following this breakthrough, she secured the lead role in the Robert Zemeckis-directed comedy “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (1978), and a supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s “1941” (1979). In 1979, Allen married De Palma, and her depiction of a prostitute witnessing a murder in his feature “Dressed to Kill” (1980) garnered her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. She further showcased her talent in De Palma’s neo-noir masterpiece “Blow Out” (1981), portraying a woman entangled in an assassination plot. However, Allen and De Palma divorced in 1984.
Her repertoire expanded to include science fiction films such as “Strange Invaders” (1983) and “The Philadelphia Experiment” (1984), along with Abel Ferrara’s television film “The Gladiator” (1986). Nancy Allen Actress achieved widespread recognition for her role as Anne Lewis in Paul Verhoeven’s “RoboCop” (1987), a character she portrayed in the subsequent sequels. Notable credits also include “Poltergeist III” (1988), “Limit Up” (1990), and “Les patriotes” (1994).
In 2008, Nancy Allen Actress took a step back from acting and redirected her focus towards cancer support initiatives. In 2010, she assumed the role of executive director at the weSPARK Cancer Support Center in Los Angeles, demonstrating her commitment to making a difference beyond the silver screen.
The Bronx, New York, U.S
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Nancy Allen Actress was born in the Bronx borough of New York City on June 24, 1950, the youngest of three children born to Eugene and Florence Allen. Her father served as a police lieutenant. Raised on 196th Street in the Pelham Bay area of the Bronx, Nancy Allen Actress upbringing was marked by her shy demeanor.
To help Nancy Allen Actress overcome her shyness, her mother enrolled her in dance classes at the age of four. She initially attended the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx before her family later moved to Yonkers. Expressing a passion for modern dance, Nancy Allen Actress briefly attended the High School of Performing Arts to pursue a dancing career. However, she found that the emphasis on grades detracted from her enjoyment of dance, leading her to conclude that it wasn’t her true calling. Subsequently, she enrolled at Jose Quintano’s School for Young Professionals.
1973–1986
Nancy Allen Actress breakout performance came as Nancy, Jack Nicholson’s jittery date, in Hal Ashby’s The Last Detail (1973). This pivotal role spurred her decision to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue acting further. Initially, Nancy Allen Actress encountered challenges securing acting opportunities, facing discouragement from an agent who believed her age of 25 marked the end of her career. However, in November 1975, she auditioned for the part of Christine Hargensen, the antagonistic mean girl, in Brian De Palma’s horror classic Carrie (1976), ultimately securing the role after a prolonged casting process.
Continuing her momentum, Nancy Allen Actress portrayed Pam Mitchell in Steven Spielberg’s production of I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978), marking director Robert Zemeckis’s debut feature. Subsequently, she depicted Donna Stratton in Spielberg’s comedy 1941 (1979).
In a significant personal and professional milestone, Nancy Allen Actress wed Carrie director Brian De Palma on January 12, 1979, and appeared in three additional films helmed by him over the ensuing years: She starred as Kristina in Home Movies (1980) alongside Kirk Douglas, followed by her memorable portrayal of prostitute Liz Blake in the thriller Dressed to Kill (1980), earning her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year. Her collaboration with De Palma culminated in the neo-noir Blow Out (1981), where she conquered a lifelong fear of submerged cars while filming.
Expanding her repertoire, Nancy Allen Actress headlined as tabloid journalist Betty Walker in Strange Invaders (1983), penned by Bill Condon and featuring Paul LeMat, Michael Lerner, and Academy Award winner Louise Fletcher.
Following her divorce from De Palma in 1984, Nancy Allen Actress appeared in two releases: The Buddy System opposite Richard Dreyfuss and Susan Sarandon, and The Philadelphia Experiment alongside Michael Paré, garnering a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress for the latter. She commenced a relationship with Paré during filming. Additionally, Allen hosted the documentary Terror in the Aisles (1984), showcasing excerpts from various horror films including Dressed to Kill and Carrie. She rounded out the year with appearances in Paul Bartel’s Not for Publication and Sweet Revenge, an action-packed thriller featuring Gina Gershon and Martin Landau, centered around white slavery.
1987–1993
Nancy Allen Actress portrayed police officer Anne Lewis in the iconic science fiction/action film RoboCop (1987). Directed by Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven, the movie achieved tremendous success at the box office. Allen’s portrayal earned her a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Actress.
Following the triumph of RoboCop, Allen featured in Abel Ferrara’s The Gladiator (1987) and portrayed Patricia Wilson-Gardner in Poltergeist III (1988). She reprised her role as Officer Lewis in RoboCop 2 (1990), undertaking martial arts training and police preparation to intensify her character’s physicality. Despite her commitment, Nancy Allen Actress found the filming experience unpleasant, referring to director Irvin Kershner as disagreeable.
In the same year, Nancy Allen Actress headlined Richard Martini’s Limit Up as commodities trader Casey Falls, showcasing her comedic talent alongside Danitra Vance and blues legend Ray Charles. Additionally, she starred in the first original film produced for the Lifetime television network, Memories of Murder (1990), which received high acclaim.
Nancy Allen Actress tied the knot with comedian Craig Shoemaker on September 6, 1992. She returned as Officer Lewis in RoboCop 3 (1993), earning a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Allen sought to humanize her character’s tough persona, emphasizing the value of confidence and femininity. Concurrently, she appeared alongside Linda Fiorentino in Acting on Impulse. However, Allen and Shoemaker parted ways in 1994.
1994–present
Nancy Allen Actress has made appearances in numerous documentaries discussing her most renowned films, such as Dressed to Kill, Carrie, Blow Out, the RoboCop trilogy, and Poltergeist III.
In 1994, she collaborated again with Strange Invaders writer Bill Condon, portraying psychic Jessie Gallardo alongside Roger Moore in the television movie The Man Who Wouldn’t Die. Additionally, she had a supporting role in the French drama Les patriotes (1994). Nancy Allen Actress also headlined a Broadway production of Frederick Knott’s Dial M For Murder in 1995, starring as Margot opposite John James as Tony Wendice and Roddy McDowall as Inspector Hubbard. The play ran from September 26, 1995, to March 10, 1996, under the direction of Edward Hastings. She portrayed Linda Savage in Quality Time (1997), later released as My Apocalypse in 2008. Nancy Allen Actress tied the knot with builder/contractor Randy Bailey in June 1998.
Notably, Nancy Allen Actress appeared in the crime thriller Out of Sight (1998) as Midge, starring George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, directed by Steven Soderbergh. She also played Rachel Colby in the horror film Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return and Madge in the comedy-thriller Kiss Toledo Goodbye (both released in 1999). Additionally, she starred in Secret of the Andes (2000), an adventure film featuring David Keith and Jerry Stiller.
On the television front, Nancy Allen Actress made guest appearances on shows like Touched by an Angel, The Outer Limits, The Commish, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Nancy Allen Actress marriage to Bailey ended in separation in 2005 and divorce in 2007. In 2008, she shifted her focus to cancer support for patients and their families. This dedication was sparked by the passing of her friend and former co-star Wendie Jo Sperber from breast cancer in 2005. Allen was named executive director of the weSPARK Cancer Support Center in December 2010, a role she passionately embraced, stating, “That is what I do. That is what my life is dedicated to. I’m there, I run it. I’ve created the whole program format and I fundraise. It is my life’s work.”
Personal life
Nancy Allen, known for her acting career, has experienced a rich personal journey marked by notable relationships and shifts in her professional trajectory.
Born on June 24, 1950, in New York City, New York, Nancy Allen Actress has been married twice. Her first marriage was to actor Brian De Palma in 1979, with whom she collaborated extensively in various films directed by De Palma. However, their union came to an end with a divorce in 1983.
In 1998, Nancy Allen Actress tied the knot with builder and contractor Randy Bailey. Unfortunately, this marriage also ended in divorce, with the couple separating in 2005 and finalizing their split in 2007.
Beyond her marital experiences, Allen underwent a profound transformation in 2008 when she shifted her focus towards supporting cancer patients and their families. This change was spurred by the loss of her dear friend and former co-star, Wendie Jo Sperber, to breast cancer in 2005.
In December 2010, Nancy Allen Actress assumed the role of executive director at the weSPARK Cancer Support Center, where she poured her heart and soul into running the program, shaping its structure, and raising funds. This endeavor became a central focus of her life, reflecting her deep commitment to helping others facing cancer-related challenges.
In summary, Nancy Allen’s personal journey has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks, with her dedication to cancer support emerging as a defining aspect of her later years.
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Film and Television
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| Year | Title | Role | Director(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The Last Detail | Nancy | Hal Ashby |
| 1975 | Forced Entry | Hitchhiker | Jim Sotos |
| 1976 | Carrie | Christine “Chris” Hargensen | Brian De Palma |
| 1978 | I Wanna Hold Your Hand | Pam Mitchell | Robert Zemeckis |
| 1979 | 1941 | Donna Stratton | Steven Spielberg |
| 1980 | Home Movies | Kristina | Brian De Palma |
| 1980 | Dressed to Kill | Liz Blake | Brian De Palma |
| 1981 | Blow Out | Sally Bedina | Brian De Palma |
| 1983 | Strange Invaders | Betty Walker | Michael Laughlin |
| 1984 | The Buddy System | Carrie | Glenn Jordan |
| 1984 | Terror in the Aisles | Herself | Andrew J. Kuehn |
| 1984 | The Philadelphia Experiment | Allison Hayes | Stewart Raffill |
| 1984 | Not for Publication | Lois Thorndyke | Paul Bartel |
| 1986 | The Gladiator | Susan Neville | Abel Ferrara |
| 1987 | Sweet Revenge | Jillian Grey | Mark Sobel |
| 1987 | RoboCop | Officer Anne Lewis | Paul Verhoeven |
| 1988 | Poltergeist III | Patricia Wilson-Gardner | Gary Sherman |
| 1989 | Limit Up | Casey Falls | Richard Martini |
| 1990 | RoboCop 2 | Anne Lewis | Irvin Kershner |
| 1990 | Memories of Murder | Jennifer Gordon/Corey | Robert Lewis |
| 1993 | RoboCop 3 | Anne Lewis | Fred Dekker |
| 1993 | Acting on Impulse | Cathy Thomas | Sam Irvin |
| 1994 | The Man Who Wouldn’t Die | Jessie Gallardo | Bill Condon |
| 1994 | Les patriotes | Catherine Pelman | Éric Rochant |
| 1997 | Against the Law | Maggie Hewitt | Jim Wynorski |
| 1997 | Dusting Cliff 7 | Anna Bishop | William H. Molina |
| 1998 | The Pass | Shirley Duprey | Kurt Voss |
| 1998 | Out of Sight | Midge | Steven Soderbergh |
| 1999 | Secret of the Andes | Brenda Willings | Alejandro Azzano |
| 1999 | Kiss Toledo Goodbye | Madge | Lyndon Chubbuck |
| 1999 | Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return | Rachel Colby | Kari Skogland |
| 2001 | Circuit | Louise | Dirk Shafer |
| 2008 | My Apocalypse | Linda Savage | Chris LaMont |
| 2012 | Bound by Flesh | Narrator | Leslie Zemeckis |
| 2020 | In Search of Darkness: Part II | Herself | David A. Weiner |
| 2022 | In Search of Tomorrow | Herself | David A. Weiner |
Television / TV
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–1984 | Another World | Paula James | Unknown episodes |
| 1984 | Faerie Tale Theatre | Princess Elizabeth | Episode: “The Princess and the Pea” |
| 1994 | Touched by an Angel | Megan | Episode: “An Unexpected Snow” |
| 1995 | The Outer Limits | Rachel Rose | Episode: “Valerie 23” |
| 1995 | The Commish | Gina Raposo | Episode: “Brooklyn” |
| 2002 | The Division | Christine Ogden | Episode: “Brave New World” |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Carin Healy | Episode: “Escape” |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–1996 | Dial M For Murder | Margot Wendice | Broadway |
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Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Stinkers Bad Movie Awards | Worst Actress | Dressed to Kill | Nominated |
| 1981 | Golden Globe Award | New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture – Female | Nominated | |
| Golden Raspberry Award | Worst Actress | Nominated | ||
| 1985 | Saturn Award | Best Actress | The Philadelphia Experiment | Nominated |
| 1988 | Saturn Award | Best Actress | RoboCop | Nominated |
| 1994 | Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actress | RoboCop 3 | Nominated |
