Diane Franklin
Franklin in January 2009
Born (1962-02-11) February 11, 1962[1]
Plainview, New York, U.S.[2]
Alma materCalifornia State University, Northridge
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
  • model
Years active1979–present
Spouse
Ray DeLaurentis
​
​
(m. 1989)​
Children2

Diane Franklin (born February 11, 1962)[1][2] is an American actress, producer, and model.

Early life

Franklin was born in Plainview, New York.[2] Her parents were both German immigrants.[3] Franklin is deaf in her left ear.[3]

Education

Franklin attended New York University for one year in 1981–1982 before dropping out to become a professional actress.[4] She continued her education 30 years later when she attended Moorpark College and then California State University, Northridge where she graduated with a degree in education in 2017.[4]

Career

Early in her acting career, Franklin appeared in TV commercials for Coca-Cola, Trident, Jell-O, and Maxwell House coffee. At the age of 17, she appeared in two episodes of As the World Turns which aired in October 1979. Her breakthrough role was as Karen in the 1982 teen drama film The Last American Virgin. That same year, she played Patricia Montelli in the horror film Amityville II: The Possession. She was given top billing in her next film, the 1984 erotic comedy film Second Time Lucky, and played French exchange student Monique Junet in the 1985 comedy film Better Off Dead.

Franklin played Princess Joanna in the 1989 comedy film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and has appeared as an extra or in guest roles in episodes of television series such as Bay City Blues, Matlock, and Family Law. She also appeared in three television films, including a role as Jock Ewing's first wife in the 1986 film Dallas: The Early Years.

In 2012, Franklin published a memoir called Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French Exchange Babe of the 80s.[5] In 2017, she published a second memoir called Diane Franklin: The Excellent Curls of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s.[6][7] In 2018, she returned to the Amityville franchise to play Louise DeFeo in the horror-drama film The Amityville Murders[8] In 2021, she played Mrs. Healy in the horror film Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman.

In 2023, Franklin played Danielle in Waking Nightmare, an independent horror film that was granted a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, allowing filming to continue and the actors to promote the film.[9]

Personal life

Franklin married Ray DeLaurentis, an animation writer for shows such as The Fairly OddParents, in 1989. They reside in Westlake Village, California.[10] Their son Nick is a musician, while their daughter Olivia is a comedian and actress best known as one half of the absurdist comedy double act Syd & Olivia.[11][12]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1982Amityville II: The PossessionPatricia Montelli
The Last American VirginKaren
1984Second Time LuckyEve
1985Better Off DeadMonique Junet
1986TerrorVisionSuzy Putterman
1989How I Got into CollegeSharon Browne
Bill & Ted's Excellent AdventurePrincess Joanna
2006Punchcard PlayerSweetheart
2008The Adventures of LassMum / GrammaShort film
2009The Adventures of Lass 2: The Sweet Potato RushMum / Gramma
2010The Adventures of Lass 3: Going to AmericaMum / Old Lass
2011HumanizedComputer
2012My Better HalfViola Young
2013LovechildJenny Meyers
Royal EffupsEarless of Incestia
2018The Amityville MurdersLouise DeFeo
2019Wally Got WastedEmma
2021Ted Bundy: American BoogeymanMrs. Healy
Clay ZombiesD.J.St. VC Skatewell
2023Waking NightmareDanielle

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Bay City Bluesbackground extra2 episodes
Summer GirlCinniTV movie
Deadly LessonsStefanie Aggiston
1985The Insidersbackground extra1 episode
Finder Of Lost LovesEmily Bennetts1 episode
1986Dallas: The Early YearsAmanda Lewis EwingTV movie
1987Charles In ChargeAnna Grudov1 episode
MatlockNancy Lamont1 episode
1988Freddy's NightmaresJessica1 episode
1989Alfred Hitchcock PresentsPaula / Paulette1 episode
1990Encyclopedia BrownSondra Gafney1 episode
1991Murder, She WrotePhyllis Grant1 episode
1999ProvidenceDiane Cavalero1 episode
2000Family LawTV Announcer1 episode
2010Toon WolfNetwork President1 episode
2013Parole OfficersMargeTV movie

References

  1. 1 2 "Diane Franklin Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Diane Franklin Biography". Fandango. Archived from the original on June 12, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Sykes, Steve (October 19, 2020). "INTERVIEW - Actress Diane Franklin Talks Her Career and New Reboot The Amityville Murders". NPR Illinois. Event occurs at 6:34, 37:24. Archived from the original on September 10, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Amico, Paul (June 19, 2017). "CSUN Helps Provide New Direction for '80s Cult Film Actress". CSUN Today. California State University, Northridge. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  5. ↑ Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French Exchange Babe of the 80s. Diane Franklin Publishing. August 2, 2012. ISBN 978-0615641362.
  6. ↑ "Diane Franklin: The Excellent Curls of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s|Paperback".
  7. ↑ Diane Franklin: The Excellent Curls of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s (Diane Franklin Book) (Volume 2). Diane Franklin Publishing. February 8, 2017. ISBN 978-1507704943.
  8. ↑ Sykes, Steve (October 19, 2020). "Interview: Actress Diane Franklin Talks Her Career and New Reboot The Amityville Murders". NPR Illinois. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  9. ↑ Pennacchio, George (August 17, 2023). "Veteran actress supports SAG-AFTRA strike, still allowed to promote new independent horror film". ABC 7 Los Angeles. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  10. ↑ Paul, Arielle (March 23, 2019). "My favorite room; Wait, that's Duke's chair; Animals and kids have taken over this actress' sunny yellow space". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Olivia Bio // Socials".
  12. ↑ "Olivia DeLaurentis (@ocdelaurentis) • Instagram photos and videos".


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