Diane Franklin
| Diane Franklin | |
|---|---|
 Diane Franklin at a screening of Better Off Dead in San Francisco in 2009 | |
| Born |
February 11, 1962 Plainview, New York, United States |
| Occupation | Actress, producer, model |
| Years active |
1982-1991 1999-2000 2006-present |
| Spouse(s) | Ray DeLaurentis (?-Present) |
| Children |
Olivia DeLaurentis (daughter) Nicholas DeLaurentis (son) |
Diane Franklin (born February 11, 1962), married DeLaurentis (1992), is an American fashion model and actress.[1][2]
Career
Perhaps Franklin's best known role is in the 1985 comedy film Better Off Dead[2] as Monique, the foreign exchange student from France; she's also notable as one of the Princesses in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.[2] Other well-known parts include her first in the 1982 film The Last American Virgin as Karen[1] and the 1982 horror film Amityville II: The Possession[2] as Patricia Montelli. Television roles include Bay City Blues, Matlock, and Freddy's Nightmares.
During pre-production of the 1984 film Amadeus, Franklin was flown to Prague for a week of auditions in competition with Elizabeth Berridge, who was eventually given the part in question. As Berridge tells it, Franklin was "too pretty" to play the part (of an innkeeper's daughter)[3]
Earlier in her career Franklin appeared in TV commercials for Coca-Cola, Trident, Jell-O, and Maxwell House coffee.
Franklin has taken frequent breaks in her career which span from 1982-1991, 1999-2000, and 2006-Present, she took an 8-year break from acting in 1991 and didn't act until 1999 in TV shows Family Law,[2] and Providence and took another long break, lasting 6 years, until restarting her career with the movie Punchcard Player and later acting in short films.
In 2012 Franklin published a memoir, Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French Exchange Babe of the 80s through Amazon. [4]
In July 2016, Diane joined "The Stoop" radio program and discussed how she was up for roles in "The Karate Kid", "The Terminator" and "Amadeus" but did "Better Off Dead" instead and how she was happy how it all worked out that way.
Franklin appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast on September 30, 2016.
Personal life
Franklin is married to writer and producer Ray DeLaurentis and has two children with him, a daughter named Olivia DeLaurentis (born 1996), and a son named Nicholas DeLaurentis. In addition to her feature-length filmography, Franklin has also acted in short films, including her daughter's.
Franklin sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium on June 1, 2004.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Lovechild | Jenny Meyers | Short Film |
| 2013 | Royal Effups | Earless of Incestia | Short Film |
| 2013 | Parole Officers | Marge | TV Movie |
| 2012 | My Better Half | Viola Young | Short Film |
| 2011 | Humanized | Computer | Short Film |
| 2010 | The Adventures of lass 3: Going to America | Mum / Old Lass | Short Film |
| 2010 | Toon Wolf | Network President | Short Film |
| 2009 | The Adventures of lass 2: The Sweet Potato Rush | Mum / Gramma | Short Film |
| 2008 | The Adventures of lass | Mum / Gramma | Short Film |
| 2006 | Punchcard Player | Sweetheart | |
| 1989 | How I Got Into College | Sharon Browne | |
| 1989 | Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure | Princess Joanna | |
| 1986 | Dallas: The Early Years | Amanda Lewis Ewing, Jock's 1st Wife | TV Movie |
| 1986 | TerrorVision | Suzy Putterman | |
| 1985 | Better Off Dead | Monique Junet | |
| 1984 | Second Time Lucky | Eve | |
| 1983 | Summer Girl | Cinni | TV Movie |
| 1983 | Deadly Lessons | Stefanie Aggiston | TV Movie |
| 1982 | Amityville II: The Possession | Patricia Montelli | |
| 1982 | The Last American Virgin | Karen |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Family Law | TV Announcer | Episode 12: Media Relations |
| 1999 | Providence | Diane Cavalero | Episode 8: Blind Faith |
| 1991 | Murder, She Wrote | Phyllis Grant | Episode 11: Family Doctor |
| 1990 | Encyclopedia Brown | Extra | Episode 4: The Case Of The Ghostly Rider |
| 1989 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Paula / Paulette | Episode 14: Romance Machine |
| 1988 | Freddy's Nightmares | Jessica | Episode 10: The Bride Wore Red |
| 1987 | Charles In Charge | Anna Grudov | Episode 15: A Date From Heck |
| 1987 | Matlock | Nancy Lamont | 2 Episodes |
| 1985 | The Insiders | Extra | Episode 6: After The Fox |
| 1985 | Finder Of Lost Loves | Emily Bennetts | Episode 22: Broken Promises |
| 1983 | Bay City Blues | Extra | 2 Episodes |
References
- 1 2 Maslin, Janet (1983-01-15). "Movie Review - The Last American Virgin - FROLICS IN FLORIDA AND OTHER ANTICS - NYTimes.com". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Diane Franklin". The New York Times.
- ↑ As told by Elizabeth Berridge in Bonus Features - The Making of Amadeus, disc 2 Amadeus DVD, Director's Cut edition
- ↑ Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French Exchange Babe of the 80s. Diane Franklin Publishing. August 2, 2012. pp. 134 (Paperback). ISBN 978-0615641362.