Bonnie Bedelia
Encyclopedia
Bonnie Bedelia Culkin is an American actress best known for her supporting roles in the action film Die Hard
and the courtroom drama Presumed Innocent
. She is currently starring in the NBC series Parenthood
.
, New York
, the daughter of Marian Ethel (née
Wagner), a writer and editor, and Philip Harley Culkin, a journalist
. She is the sister of Kit Culkin
and the aunt of actors Macaulay
, Kieran, and Rory Culkin
.
She married scriptwriter Ken Luber on April 24, 1969, and they had a son, Yuri, the following year. The time off to focus on motherhood (she had second son, Jonah Luber, in 1976) proved detrimental to her rising star. Divorced from the father of her two children, she is presently married to third husband actor Michael MacRae, whom she married in 1995.
, playing the role of Sandy Porter. She also worked on Broadway, making her debut supporting Patty Duke in 1962 in Isle of Children and winning a Theatre World award in the lead of My Sweet Charlie
in 1966. In April 1969 she guest starred in "The Unwanted", an episode of the TV series Bonanza
. That year she also attracted attention as the pregnant marathon dancer in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Bedelia was nominated for a Golden Globe for her starring role in 1983's Heart Like a Wheel
as drag racer Shirley Muldowney
. Other well–known performances came as the wife of Bruce Willis
's character John McClane
in Die Hard
(1988) and Die Hard 2
(1990), and Harrison Ford
's character in Presumed Innocent
(1990).
Bedelia appeared in two Stephen King
film adaptations: Salem's Lot
and Needful Things
(1993). She currently co-stars in the NBC series, Parenthood
, playing the role of the family matriarch, Camille Braverman. The series is in its third season.
Die Hard
Die Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which...
and the courtroom drama Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent (film)
Presumed Innocent is a 1990 film adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by Scott Turow, which tells the story of a prosecutor charged with the murder of his female colleague and mistress....
. She is currently starring in the NBC series Parenthood
Parenthood (2010 TV series)
Parenthood is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Jason Katims and produced by Imagine Television and Universal Media Studios. The first season premiered on March 2, 2010 on NBC...
.
Early life
Bedelia was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the daughter of Marian Ethel (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....
Wagner), a writer and editor, and Philip Harley Culkin, a journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
. She is the sister of Kit Culkin
Kit Culkin
Christopher Cornelius "Kit" Culkin is an American stage actor, most famous for being the father of Macaulay Culkin, of Home Alone fame, as well as his productions on Broadway.-Life and career:...
and the aunt of actors Macaulay
Macaulay Culkin
Macaulay Carson Culkin is an American actor. He became widely known for his portrayal of Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. He is also known for his roles in Richie Rich, Uncle Buck, My Girl, The Pagemaster, and Party Monster...
, Kieran, and Rory Culkin
Rory Culkin
Rory Hugh Culkin is an American actor and is the younger brother of actors Macaulay Culkin and Kieran Culkin.-Personal life:...
.
She married scriptwriter Ken Luber on April 24, 1969, and they had a son, Yuri, the following year. The time off to focus on motherhood (she had second son, Jonah Luber, in 1976) proved detrimental to her rising star. Divorced from the father of her two children, she is presently married to third husband actor Michael MacRae, whom she married in 1995.
Career
From 1961 to 1967, Bonnie was a regular on the CBS soap opera, Love of LifeLove of Life
Love of Life is an American soap opera which aired on CBS Daytime from September 24, 1951 to February 1, 1980. It was created by Roy Winsor, whose previous creation Search for Tomorrow had premiered three weeks before Love of Life, and who would go on to create The Secret Storm two and a half years...
, playing the role of Sandy Porter. She also worked on Broadway, making her debut supporting Patty Duke in 1962 in Isle of Children and winning a Theatre World award in the lead of My Sweet Charlie
My Sweet Charlie
My Sweet Charlie is an American television movie directed by Lamont Johnson. The teleplay by Richard Levinson and William Link is based on the novel of the same name by David Westheimer. Produced by Universal Television and broadcast by NBC on January 20, 1970, it later had a brief theatrical...
in 1966. In April 1969 she guest starred in "The Unwanted", an episode of the TV series Bonanza
Bonanza
Bonanza is an American western television series that both ran on and was a production of NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series and still continues to air in syndication. It centers on the...
. That year she also attracted attention as the pregnant marathon dancer in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? is a 1969 American drama film directed by Sydney Pollack. The screenplay by James Poe and Robert E. Thompson is based on the 1935 novel of the same name by Horace McCoy...
Bedelia was nominated for a Golden Globe for her starring role in 1983's Heart Like a Wheel
Heart Like a Wheel (film)
Heart Like a Wheel is a 1983 biographical film based on the life of drag racing driver Shirley Muldowney. It stars Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges....
as drag racer Shirley Muldowney
Shirley Muldowney
Shirley Muldowney , also known professionally as "Cha Cha" Muldowney and the "First Lady of Drag Racing", is a pioneer in professional auto racing. She was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association to drive a top fuel dragster...
. Other well–known performances came as the wife of Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
Walter Bruce Willis , better known as Bruce Willis, is an American actor, producer, and musician. His career began in television in the 1980s and has continued both in television and film since, including comedic, dramatic, and action roles...
's character John McClane
John McClane
John McClane is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Die Hard film series, portrayed by Bruce Willis.-Development and description:...
in Die Hard
Die Hard
Die Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which...
(1988) and Die Hard 2
Die Hard 2
Die Hard 2 is a 1990 action film and the second in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by Renny Harlin, and stars Bruce Willis as John McClane...
(1990), and Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
's character in Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent
Presumed Innocent, published in 1987, is Scott Turow's first novel, which tells the story of a prosecutor charged with the murder of his colleague, an attractive and intelligent prosecutor, Carolyn Polhemus. It is told in the first person by the accused, Rǒzat "Rusty" Sabich...
(1990).
Bedelia appeared in two Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
film adaptations: Salem's Lot
Salem's Lot (1979 TV mini-series)
Salem's Lot is a 1979 American television adaptation of the novel of the same name by Stephen King...
and Needful Things
Needful Things
Needful Things is a 1991 horror novel by American author Stephen King. According to the cover, it is "The Last Castle Rock Story." However, the town later served as the setting for the short story "It Grows on You," published in King's 1993 collection Nightmares and Dreamscapes which, according to...
(1993). She currently co-stars in the NBC series, Parenthood
Parenthood (2010 TV series)
Parenthood is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Jason Katims and produced by Imagine Television and Universal Media Studios. The first season premiered on March 2, 2010 on NBC...
, playing the role of the family matriarch, Camille Braverman. The series is in its third season.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Then Came Bronson Then Came Bronson Then Came Bronson is a short-lived adventure/drama television series that aired on NBC from 1969 to 1970, and was produced by MGM Television. The series, created by Denne Bart Petitclerc, began with a movie pilot on Monday, March 24, 1969. The series was greenlit for one year and began its first... |
Temple Brooks | TV series, pilot movie |
| 1969 | Annie Burke | ||
| 1969 | They Shoot Horses, Don't They? | Ruby | |
| 1970 | Pursuit of Treasure | ||
| 1970 | Lovers and Other Strangers Lovers and Other Strangers Lovers and Other Strangers is a 1970 comedy film based on the play by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna. The film features an ensemble cast including Richard Castellano, Gig Young, Cloris Leachman, Anne Jackson, Beatrice Arthur, Bonnie Bedelia, Michael Brandon, Harry Guardino, Anne Meara, Bob Dishy,... |
Susan Henderson | |
| 1972 | Rosalie | ||
| 1972 | Sandcastles | Jenna Hampshire | Made for TV, with Jan Michael Vincent, 74 minutes |
| 1973 | Between Friends Between Friends (1973 film) Between Friends is a 1973 Canadian crime film directed by Donald Shebib. It was entered into the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Michael Parks - Tony* Bonnie Bedelia - Ellie* Chuck Shamata - Chino* Henry Beckman - Will... |
Ellie | |
| 1978 | Suzanne | ||
| 1979 | Salem's Lot | Susan Norton | TV miniseries |
| 1980 | Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story was a 1980 made-for-television movie about the life of Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rocky Bleier, starring Robert Urich. It was released on 7 December 1980.... |
Aleta | TV film |
| 1982 | Million Dollar Infield | Marcia Miller | TV film |
| 1983 | Heart Like a Wheel Heart Like a Wheel (film) Heart Like a Wheel is a 1983 biographical film based on the life of drag racing driver Shirley Muldowney. It stars Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges.... |
Shirley Muldowney | Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama |
| 1986 | Violets Are Blue Violets Are Blue (film) Violets Are Blue... is a 1986 romance movie from Columbia Pictures, starring Sissy Spacek and Kevin Kline.-Story:After fifteen years of traveling around the world, a famous photographer named Gussie returns to the Maryland coastal resort where she grew up... |
Ruth Squires | |
| 1986 | Death of an Angel | Grace | |
| 1986 | Charlene Michaelson | ||
| 1986 | Alex: The Life of a Child | Carol Deford | TV |
| 1987 | Like Father Like Son Like Father Like Son (1987 film) Like Father Like Son is a 1987 comedy film starring Kirk Cameron and Dudley Moore. This film is a remake of the 1976 classic Disney film Freaky Friday. The film is one of four body swap comedies to appear in the space of a year; the others were the Italian film Da grande , 18 Again! and Vice Versa... |
Lady with gum in hair | (uncredited) |
| 1987 | Alice Kildee | ||
| 1988 | Pam Marshetta | Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female | |
| 1988 | Die Hard Die Hard Die Hard is a 1988 American action film and the first in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by John McTiernan and written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza. It is based on a 1979 novel by Roderick Thorp titled Nothing Lasts Forever, itself a sequel to the book The Detective, which... |
Holly Gennaro McClane | |
| 1989 | Fat Man and Little Boy Fat Man and Little Boy Fat Man and Little Boy is a 1989 film that reenacts the Manhattan Project, the secret Allied endeavor to develop the first nuclear weapons during World War II. The film is named after the nuclear weapons known by the code names "Fat Man" and "Little Boy". The code names can be taken for joking... |
Kitty Oppenheimer | |
| 1990 | Die Hard 2 Die Hard 2 Die Hard 2 is a 1990 action film and the second in the Die Hard film series. The film was directed by Renny Harlin, and stars Bruce Willis as John McClane... |
Holly McClane | |
| 1990 | Presumed Innocent Presumed Innocent (film) Presumed Innocent is a 1990 film adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by Scott Turow, which tells the story of a prosecutor charged with the murder of his female colleague and mistress.... |
Barbara Sabich | |
| 1993 | Needful Things Needful Things Needful Things is a 1991 horror novel by American author Stephen King. According to the cover, it is "The Last Castle Rock Story." However, the town later served as the setting for the short story "It Grows on You," published in King's 1993 collection Nightmares and Dreamscapes which, according to... |
Polly Chalmers | |
| 1993 | Judicial Consent | Gwen Warwick | |
| 1994 | Speechless Speechless (film) Speechless is a 1994 romantic comedy film directed by Ron Underwood. It stars Geena Davis , Michael Keaton, Bonnie Bedelia, Ernie Hudson and Christopher Reeve.-Plot:... |
Annette | |
| 1996 | Valerie Sabbath | TV miniseries | |
| 1996 | Her Costly Affair Her Costly Affair Her Costly Affair is a 1996 television film directed by John Patterson. The film was initially to be released as Consensual Relations, until lead actress Bonnie Bedelia had it changed. Filming took place in Southern California.- Plot :... |
Dr. Diane Weston | TV movie |
| 1997 | Bad Manners | Nancy | |
| 1997 | Any Mother's Son Any Mother's Son Any Mother's Son is a 1997 television drama film directed by David Burton Morris.-Synopsis:The film based on the true story of US Navy Petty Officer Allen Schindler, who is murdered by two of his fellow seamen while on shore leave from his post in Japan. Two months later, Schindler's mother... |
Dorothy Hajdys | Nominated—CableACE Award for Best Actress in a Movie or Miniseries |
| 1999 | Gloria | Brenda | |
| 1999 | Anywhere but Here | Carol | |
| 2000 | Sordid Lives Sordid Lives Sordid Lives was a 2000 independent film, written and directed by Del Shores. The movie is based on Shores' play of the same name and includes elements of his life, according to the director's DVD commentary... |
Latrelle Williamson | |
| 2000 | Picnic | Flo Owens | TV movie |
| 2001– 2004 |
Captain Kaitlyn McCafferty | TV series (58 episodes) | |
| 2003 | Manhood Manhood (film) -Plot:Jack is a former womanizer and fashion photographer who is put in charge of his sister's 17-year-old-son when she leaves to find herself. During her leave, he attempts to revive his career while re-establishing a relationship with his nephew and son... |
Alice | |
| 2005 | Berkeley Berkeley (film) Berkeley is a 2005 film by Bobby Roth filmed in Berkeley, California. It stars Nick Roth, Laura Jordan, and Henry Winkler.... |
Hawkins | |
| 2008 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer... |
DDA Madeline Klein | TV series, episode "Grissom's Divine Comedy" |
| 2008 | Sordid Lives: The Series Sordid Lives: The Series Sordid Lives: The Series is an American television series created, written, and directed by Del Shores and acts as a prequel to 2000 film Sordid Lives, also by Shores, self-described as a "Black comedy about white trash"... |
Latrelle Williamson | TV series (11 episodes) |
| 2010-2011 | Parenthood Parenthood (2010 TV series) Parenthood is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Jason Katims and produced by Imagine Television and Universal Media Studios. The first season premiered on March 2, 2010 on NBC... |
Camille Braverman | TV series |