Ariana Richards
Encyclopedia
Ariana Clarice Richards (born September 11, 1979) is an American actress and professional painter
. She is best known for her roles as Mindy Sterngood in Tremors
, Lex Murphy in the film Jurassic Park
, and as Carol Wetherby in the film Prancer
.
, the daughter of Darielle (née
Parmelee), a public relations representative and film producer, and Gary Richards. Her sister, Bethany, is also an actress. Richards is of Irish and Italian descent, and is a descendant of Renaissance
painter Carlo Crivelli
and Irish boxer John L. Sullivan
.
Richards graduated from Skidmore College
, earning a degree in Fine Art and Drama, with distinction. She continued with instruction at Art Center College of Design
in Pasadena
and also attended Western Oregon University
.
. Her most notable appearance was as Lex Murphy in the first Jurassic Park
film; she reprised the role very briefly in the sequel The Lost World: Jurassic Park
. Similarly, she appeared as Mindy Sterngood in the first Tremors
film and reprised her role in the second sequel Tremors 3: Back to Perfection
, which went straight to video. She has been featured in other films such as Angus, where she played a high school cheerleader; she also appeared on television episodes of The Golden Girls
, Empty Nest and Boy Meets World
.
As well as movies, in 1998, Richards had appeared in the music video "Brick
" by Ben Folds Five
, portraying a high school student having an abortion. Richards appeared in the September 2006 issue of the British movie magazine Empire
discussing a possible return to acting.
label in Japan. The album was a mix between teen-pop and dance friendly ballads of the early 1990s. There was also a single released in very small volume. Ariana and her mother wrote the words to the track "You're the Reason". First Love contained the following tracks: Anyone Can See, You Made a Promise, First Love, You're the Reason, I Think I Love You, The Very Thought of You, and Message to my Fans.
Ariana returned briefly to the world of music in 2009, recording a cover version of David Foster
's 'The Prayer' in a duet with Chris M. Allport
, whom she has known since a young age.
She currently resides in Salem, Oregon
and is apprenticing under a professional painter.
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
. She is best known for her roles as Mindy Sterngood in Tremors
Tremors (film)
Tremors is a 1990 American science fiction horror comedy film directed by Ron Underwood, based on a screenplay by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson, and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire...
, Lex Murphy in the film Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (film)
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck...
, and as Carol Wetherby in the film Prancer
Prancer (film)
Prancer is a 1989 family film starring Sam Elliott and Cloris Leachman. It was directed by John D. Hancock. It is set in Three Oaks, Michigan, where town exteriors were filmed...
.
Biography
Richards was born in Healdsburg, CaliforniaHealdsburg, California
Healdsburg is a city located in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a population of 11,254...
, the daughter of Darielle (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Parmelee), a public relations representative and film producer, and Gary Richards. Her sister, Bethany, is also an actress. Richards is of Irish and Italian descent, and is a descendant of Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
painter Carlo Crivelli
Carlo Crivelli
Carlo Crivelli was an Italian Renaissance painter of conservative Late Gothic decorative sensibility, who spent his early years in the Veneto, where he absorbed influences from the Vivarini, Squarcione and Mantegna...
and Irish boxer John L. Sullivan
John L. Sullivan
John Lawrence Sullivan , also known as the Boston Strong Boy, was recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing from February 7, 1881 to 1892, and is generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring rules...
.
Richards graduated from Skidmore College
Skidmore College
Skidmore College is a private, independent, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students. The college is located in the town of Saratoga Springs, New York State....
, earning a degree in Fine Art and Drama, with distinction. She continued with instruction at Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design is a private college located in Pasadena, California, and was cited by BusinessWeek as one of the 60 best design schools in the world. The college’s industrial design program is consistently ranked number one by both DesignIntelligence and U.S...
in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
and also attended Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University is a public liberal arts college located in Monmouth, Oregon, United States. It was originally established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers as Monmouth University. Subsequent names include Oregon Normal School, Oregon College of Education, and Western Oregon State College...
.
Acting
Richards made her acting debut in 1987's Into the Homeland, a made-for-cable release that starred Powers BoothePowers Boothe
Powers Allen Boothe is an American television and film actor. Some of his most notable roles include his Emmy-winning 1980 portrayal of Jim Jones and his turn as Cy Tolliver on Deadwood, as well as Vice-President Noah Daniels on 24....
. Her most notable appearance was as Lex Murphy in the first Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park (film)
Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck...
film; she reprised the role very briefly in the sequel The Lost World: Jurassic Park
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a 1997 science fiction thriller film, directed by Steven Spielberg. The film was produced by Bonnie Curtis, Kathleen Kennedy, Gerald R. Molen and Colin Wilson...
. Similarly, she appeared as Mindy Sterngood in the first Tremors
Tremors (film)
Tremors is a 1990 American science fiction horror comedy film directed by Ron Underwood, based on a screenplay by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson, and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire...
film and reprised her role in the second sequel Tremors 3: Back to Perfection
Tremors 3: Back to Perfection
Tremors 3: Back to Perfection is a direct-to-video 2001 comedic monster movie, the third in the Tremors series featuring the subterranean worm-creatures dubbed "Graboids". It was directed by Brent Maddock and stars Michael Gross...
, which went straight to video. She has been featured in other films such as Angus, where she played a high school cheerleader; she also appeared on television episodes of The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls is an American sitcom created by Susan Harris, which originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992. Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the show centers on four older women sharing a home in Miami, Florida...
, Empty Nest and Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World
Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the...
.
As well as movies, in 1998, Richards had appeared in the music video "Brick
Brick (song)
"Brick" is a song performed by Ben Folds Five released on their 1997 album Whatever and Ever Amen and later on Ben Folds Live. The verses were written by Ben Folds about his high school girlfriend undergoing an abortion, and the chorus was written by the band's drummer, Darren Jessee...
" by Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five
Ben Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
, portraying a high school student having an abortion. Richards appeared in the September 2006 issue of the British movie magazine Empire
Empire (magazine)
Empire is a British film magazine published monthly by Bauer Consumer Media. From the first issue in July 1989, the magazine was edited by Barry McIlheney and published by Emap. Bauer purchased Emap Consumer Media in early 2008...
discussing a possible return to acting.
Awards
- Favourite Newcomer – Japan: Jurassic Park (1994)
- Favourite Newcomer – Australia: Jurassic Park (1994)
- Favourite Newcomer – United Kingdom: Jurassic Park (1994)
- The Bambi AwardBambi (prize)The Bambi - Deutschlands Wichtigster Medienpreis, often simply called Bambi Awards and stylized as BAMBI, are presented annually by Hubert Burda Media to recognize excellence in international media and television "with vision and creativity who affected and inspired the German public that year",...
: Jurassic Park (1993) - Young Artist Award – Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture: Jurassic Park (1993)
- Young Artist Award – Best Young Actress in a Television Movie: Locked Up: A Mother's Rage (1992)
- Young Artist Award – Best Young Actress in a Television Movie: Switched At Birth (1991)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Golden Girls The Golden Girls The Golden Girls is an American sitcom created by Susan Harris, which originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992. Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the show centers on four older women sharing a home in Miami, Florida... |
Lisa | 1 episode: "And Then There Was One" |
| Into the Homeland | Ember Swallow (age 5 & 7) | TV movie | |
| 1988 | My Sister Sam My Sister Sam My Sister Sam is an American situation comedy series that aired on CBS from 1986 to 1988. It was created by Stephen Fischer and executive produced by Diane English.-Synopsis:... |
Morgan | 1 episode: "Life, Death and Admiral Andy" |
| I'm Gonna Git You Sucka I'm Gonna Git You Sucka I'm Gonna Git You Sucka is a 1988 blaxploitation parody film written by, directed by and starring Keenen Ivory Wayans. Featured in the film are several black actors who were part of the blaxploitation phenomenon; including Jim Brown, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas and Isaac Hayes... |
Little Girl | ||
| 1989 | Face of the Enemy | Voice Over | |
| Empty Nest Empty Nest Empty Nest is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1988 to 1995. The series was created as a spin-off of The Golden Girls by creator and producer Susan Harris. For its first three seasons, Empty Nest was one of the year's top 10 most-watched programs... |
Phoebe Swenson | 1 episode: "Harry Snubs Laverne" | |
| Prancer Prancer (film) Prancer is a 1989 family film starring Sam Elliott and Cloris Leachman. It was directed by John D. Hancock. It is set in Three Oaks, Michigan, where town exteriors were filmed... |
Carol Wetherby | ||
| 1990 | Tremors Tremors (film) Tremors is a 1990 American science fiction horror comedy film directed by Ron Underwood, based on a screenplay by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson, and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire... |
Mindy Sterngood | |
| Island Son Island Son Island Son was a CBS television medical drama during its 1989-90 schedule.Island Son marked the return to regular weekly series television of Richard Chamberlain, who had not so appeared since his Dr. Kildare series almost 25 years earlier... |
Tess Delaney | 1 episode: "Viruses" | |
| Spaced Invaders Spaced Invaders Spaced Invaders is a 1990 science fiction comedy directed by Patrick Read Johnson and starring Douglas Barr, Royal Dano and Ariana Richards.-Plot:... |
Kathy | ||
| The Incident The Incident (TV movie) The Incident is a TV movie starring Walter Matthau, originally broadcast on the CBS network on March 4, 1990. The film marked Matthau's return to television after over 20 years.-Plot:... |
Nancy | TV movies | |
| 1991 | Switched at Birth | Kimberly Mays, Age 9-11 | |
| 1992 | Locked Up: A Mother's Rage Locked Up: A Mother's Rage Locked Up: A Mother's Rage is a 1991 TV movie starring Cheryl Ladd and Jean Smart about a mother wrongly convicted of drug trafficking. This movie highlights the problems children of imprisoned mothers go through.... |
Kelly Gallagher | |
| Timescape Timescape (1992 film) Timescape, released on video as Grand Tour: Disaster in Time, is a 1992 American science fiction film by Director David Twohy. This time-travel-themed film is based on the novel Vintage Season by Henry Kuttner andC.L... |
Hillary Wilson | ||
| Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore Against Her Will: An Incident in Baltimore -Plot:The sequel to the TV movie entitled The Incident, a small-town lawyer, Harmon Cobb, and his family move to Baltimore where he becomes the law partner of his old adversary, where he goes against the State of Maryland, suing on behalf of an institutionalized mental patient for release.-Cast:*... |
Nancy | TV movie | |
| 1993 | Jurassic Park Jurassic Park (film) Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. It stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck... |
Lex Murphy | |
| 1995 | Capitol Critters Capitol Critters Capitol Critters is an animated television series about the lives of mice, rats, and roaches who reside in the basement and walls of the White House in Washington, D.C... |
President's Granddaughter (voice) | 1 episode: "If Lovin' You Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Rat" |
| Angus | Melissa Lefevre | ||
| 1996 | Born Free: A New Adventure | Valerie Porter | TV movie |
| Boy Meets World Boy Meets World Boy Meets World is an American comedy-drama series that chronicles the events and everyday life lessons of Cory Matthews, played by Ben Savage, a kid from suburban Philadelphia who grows up from a young boy to a married man. The show aired for seven seasons from 1993 to 2000 on ABC, part of the... |
Claire Ferguson | 1 episode: "Dangerous Secret" | |
| 1997 | The Lost World: Jurassic Park The Lost World: Jurassic Park The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a 1997 science fiction thriller film, directed by Steven Spielberg. The film was produced by Bonnie Curtis, Kathleen Kennedy, Gerald R. Molen and Colin Wilson... |
Lex Murphy | |
| Total Security | Karen Dieboldt | 1 episode: "Who's Poppa?" | |
| The Princess Stallion | Sarah Stewart | TV movies | |
| 1998 | Race Against Fear | Mickey Carlyle | |
| 2001 | Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Tremors 3: Back to Perfection is a direct-to-video 2001 comedic monster movie, the third in the Tremors series featuring the subterranean worm-creatures dubbed "Graboids". It was directed by Brent Maddock and stars Michael Gross... |
Mindy Sterngood | Video |
| 2007 | 77 |
Musical
In 1993, Richards released the album First Love on the Pony CanyonPony Canyon
is a Japanese company, established on October 1, 1966 , which publishes music, DVD and VHS videos, movies and video games. It is a subsidiary of Japanese Media Group, Fujisankei Communications Group.-History:...
label in Japan. The album was a mix between teen-pop and dance friendly ballads of the early 1990s. There was also a single released in very small volume. Ariana and her mother wrote the words to the track "You're the Reason". First Love contained the following tracks: Anyone Can See, You Made a Promise, First Love, You're the Reason, I Think I Love You, The Very Thought of You, and Message to my Fans.
Ariana returned briefly to the world of music in 2009, recording a cover version of David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
's 'The Prayer' in a duet with Chris M. Allport
Chris M. Allport
Chris M. Allport is a producer, director, television and film actor, voice actor, and singer. As a youth voice artist during the 1990s he received awards for his voice work in film and television and as a singer and actor.-Career:In his early career, Allport portrayed characters for Disney,...
, whom she has known since a young age.
Art
Richards has become a successful artist. Her paintings, usually of landscapes and figures, tend to be in the style of the impressionists. In October 2005, she won first place in the National Professional Oil Painting Competition (sponsored by American Artist Magazine) for the painting Lady of the Dahlias.She currently resides in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
and is apprenticing under a professional painter.
Awards
- Art of the West'sArt of the West (magazine)Art of the West is a magazine that specializes in fine art depicting historical and contemporary subjects of the American West.Art of the West features art and artists working in oil painting, watercolor, and bronze sculpture. It is published bimonthly with an additional annual guidebook. Publisher...
Award of Excellence (2006) - The National Professional Oil Painting Competition (2005)