Jackie Swanson
Encyclopedia
Jackie Swanson is an American actress. She is best known for her role on the American sitcom Cheers
as Kelly Gaines
, the rich and simple love interest of Woody Boyd
.
and attended Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan
; she was a successful sprinter on the track team. She studied classical music and plays piano. She studied abroad in Sweden for one year during high school. At age 16, Swanson raced Butterfly sailboats in The Butterfly Nationals on White Lake
in White Hall, Michigan. Swanson later attended Northern Michigan University
where she was a basketball cheerleader for the Men's NCAA Basketball Team. Swanson studied acting with Sanford Meisner
in the Grenadines
on the island of Bequia
.
Swanson's maternal Great Uncle George Goodrich Lamb was Professor Of Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University
in Chicago, Illinois. The George Goodrich Lamb Papers are part of The Collections In University Archives in Library at Northwestern University Library
. The papers document George Goodrich Lamb's teaching, professional career and personal life. Swanson's maternal grandfather, John "Jack" Lamb, was a graphic artist for The Grand Rapids Press in Grand Rapids, Michigan
.
Swanson's maternal and paternal grandparents resided in Heritage Hill Historic District in Grand Rapids, Michigan
which is part of the National Register of Historic Places
. Her parents were both born and raised in Heritage Hill Historic District.
video Raspberry Beret
. She and Prince were friends. He wrote a song entitled Palomino Pleasure Ride for her. In 1987, Swanson made her feature debut in the opening scene of Lethal Weapon
. She played Amanda Hunsaker, who falls to her death from a building onto the hood of a car. She performed this free-fall stunt from 35 feet into an airbag under the training of stunt
man Dar Robinson
. Lethal Weapon
would be Swanson's first time working with cinematographer Steven Goldblatt. She worked with Steven Goldblatt again on Charlie Wilson's War
.
In 1989, Swanson joined the cast of Cheers
in the recurring role of Kelly Gaines
. Her character was a pretty, wealthy, naïve, Lutheran
girl, who would eventually marry Woody Boyd, played by Woody Harrelson
. She continued to appear in the show until the series ended in 1993.
In 1991, she had a recurring role in the series Baby Talk. In 1992, Swanson appeared on the cover of TV Guide
. Swanson modeled in runway show for Ralph Lauren
. In 2002, she appeared in an automotive TV commercial in which she was seen driving to pick up her husband, who emerged from a submarine that popped through thick ice, in a GM
vehicle.
Swanson has appeared in a number of National Ad Campaigns including a commercial for Broan directed by Academy Award winning director, Joachim Back. Stacy's Pita Chips, directed by Christian Loubek. Orville Redenbacher directed by Zach Math. Hummer directed by Nick Lewin. Also a P.S.A./ Partnership For A Drug Free America/Anti-Meth Campaign directed by Michael Patterson. Swanson also appeared in a commercial for Toyota wherein she portrayed the wife of Jim Belushi directed by Jeff Karnoff. Swanson also appeared in a National Ad Campaign for Ford Explorer directed by Eric Saarinen, son of the architect the late Eero Saarinen
and grandson of the architect the late Eliel Saarinen
.
Cheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
as Kelly Gaines
Kelly Gaines
Kelly Gaines Boyd is a character on the American television show Cheers, portrayed by Jackie Swanson. Kelly joined Cheers in the middle of the seventh season as Woody Boyd’s love interest. She appeared in 24 episodes....
, the rich and simple love interest of Woody Boyd
Woody Boyd
Huckleberry Tiberius "Woody" Boyd is a lovable, albeit extremely naive and unsophisticated, character on the American television show Cheers, portrayed by Woody Harrelson. Woody came to Cheers at the beginning of the fourth season of Cheers in 1985....
.
Early life
Swanson was born in Grand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
and attended Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan
Cadillac, Michigan
Cadillac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Wexford County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,000. The city is situated at the junction of US 131, M-55 and M-115...
; she was a successful sprinter on the track team. She studied classical music and plays piano. She studied abroad in Sweden for one year during high school. At age 16, Swanson raced Butterfly sailboats in The Butterfly Nationals on White Lake
White Lake
-Cities, towns, townships etc.:* White Lake, New York* White Lake, North Carolina* White Lake, South Dakota* White Lake, Wisconsin* White Lake Township, Michigan-Lakes:in Canada*White Lake in Hungary* Lake Fehér in Poland...
in White Hall, Michigan. Swanson later attended Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is a four-year college public university established in 1899 located in Marquette, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With a population of nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Northern Michigan University is the Upper Peninsula's largest...
where she was a basketball cheerleader for the Men's NCAA Basketball Team. Swanson studied acting with Sanford Meisner
Sanford Meisner
Sanford Meisner , also known as Sandy, was an American actor and acting teacher who developed a form of Method acting that is now known as the Meisner technique....
in the Grenadines
Grenadines
The Grenadines is a Caribbean island chain of over 600 islands in the Windward Islands.-Geographic boundaries:They are divided between the island nations of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. They lie between the islands of Saint Vincent in the north and Grenada in the south. Neither...
on the island of Bequia
Bequia
Bequia is the largest island in the Grenadines. It is part of the country of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and is approximately 15 km from the nation's capital, Kingstown.-Geography:The island capital is Port Elizabeth...
.
Swanson's maternal Great Uncle George Goodrich Lamb was Professor Of Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
in Chicago, Illinois. The George Goodrich Lamb Papers are part of The Collections In University Archives in Library at Northwestern University Library
Northwestern University Library
The Northwestern University Library is the principal library for the Evanston campus of Northwestern University. The library holds 4.6 million volumes, making it the 11th largest library at a private university. The building was designed in brutalist style by Walter Netsch of Skidmore, Owings and...
. The papers document George Goodrich Lamb's teaching, professional career and personal life. Swanson's maternal grandfather, John "Jack" Lamb, was a graphic artist for The Grand Rapids Press in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
.
Swanson's maternal and paternal grandparents resided in Heritage Hill Historic District in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
which is part of the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Her parents were both born and raised in Heritage Hill Historic District.
Career
In 1985, Swanson made her professional debut in the PrincePrince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
video Raspberry Beret
Raspberry Beret
"Raspberry Beret" is a song by Prince and The Revolution. It was the first U.S. single from their 1985 album, Around the World in a Day. The sound was different from any previous Prince track, incorporating Middle Eastern finger cymbals, stringed instruments, and even a harmonica on the extended...
. She and Prince were friends. He wrote a song entitled Palomino Pleasure Ride for her. In 1987, Swanson made her feature debut in the opening scene of Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon is a 1987 American buddy cop action film and the first in a series of films, all directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a mismatched pair of LAPD detectives, and Gary Busey as their primary adversary...
. She played Amanda Hunsaker, who falls to her death from a building onto the hood of a car. She performed this free-fall stunt from 35 feet into an airbag under the training of stunt
Stunt
A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat, or any act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes in TV, theatre, or cinema...
man Dar Robinson
Dar Robinson
Dar Allen Robinson was an American stunt performer and actor. Robinson broke 19 world records and set 21 "world's firsts." He invented the decelerator which allowed a cameraman to film a top-down view of the stuntman as he fell without accidentally...
. Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon
Lethal Weapon is a 1987 American buddy cop action film and the first in a series of films, all directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a mismatched pair of LAPD detectives, and Gary Busey as their primary adversary...
would be Swanson's first time working with cinematographer Steven Goldblatt. She worked with Steven Goldblatt again on Charlie Wilson's War
Charlie Wilson's War
Charlie Wilson's War is a 2007 American biographical comedy drama film recounting the true story of U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson who partnered with "bare knuckle attitude" CIA operative Gust Avrakotos to launch Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and support the Afghan mujahideen in their...
.
In 1989, Swanson joined the cast of Cheers
Cheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
in the recurring role of Kelly Gaines
Kelly Gaines
Kelly Gaines Boyd is a character on the American television show Cheers, portrayed by Jackie Swanson. Kelly joined Cheers in the middle of the seventh season as Woody Boyd’s love interest. She appeared in 24 episodes....
. Her character was a pretty, wealthy, naïve, Lutheran
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
girl, who would eventually marry Woody Boyd, played by Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson
Woodrow Tracy "Woody" Harrelson is an American actor.Harrelson's breakthrough role came in the television sitcom Cheers as bartender Woody Boyd...
. She continued to appear in the show until the series ended in 1993.
In 1991, she had a recurring role in the series Baby Talk. In 1992, Swanson appeared on the cover of TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
. Swanson modeled in runway show for Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
. In 2002, she appeared in an automotive TV commercial in which she was seen driving to pick up her husband, who emerged from a submarine that popped through thick ice, in a GM
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
vehicle.
Swanson has appeared in a number of National Ad Campaigns including a commercial for Broan directed by Academy Award winning director, Joachim Back. Stacy's Pita Chips, directed by Christian Loubek. Orville Redenbacher directed by Zach Math. Hummer directed by Nick Lewin. Also a P.S.A./ Partnership For A Drug Free America/Anti-Meth Campaign directed by Michael Patterson. Swanson also appeared in a commercial for Toyota wherein she portrayed the wife of Jim Belushi directed by Jeff Karnoff. Swanson also appeared in a National Ad Campaign for Ford Explorer directed by Eric Saarinen, son of the architect the late Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen was a Finnish American architect and industrial designer of the 20th century famous for varying his style according to the demands of the project: simple, sweeping, arching structural curves or machine-like rationalism.-Biography:Eero Saarinen shared the same birthday as his father,...
and grandson of the architect the late Eliel Saarinen
Eliel Saarinen
Gottlieb Eliel Saarinen was a Finnish architect who became famous for his art nouveau buildings in the early years of the 20th century....
.
Filmography
- Charlie Wilson's WarCharlie Wilson's WarCharlie Wilson's War is a 2007 American biographical comedy drama film recounting the true story of U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson who partnered with "bare knuckle attitude" CIA operative Gust Avrakotos to launch Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and support the Afghan mujahideen in their...
(2007), as Texas Socialite - Cold Case (2005), as Sarah 1993
- NYPD BlueNYPD BlueNYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
(2001), as Trish Howlett - Artie (2000), as Dana Wilson
- Oblivion 2: Backlash (1996), as Mattie Chase
- Hope & Gloria (1995), as Sister Theresa
- OblivionOblivion (film)Oblivion is a 1994 western science fiction dark comedy film by Full Moon Entertainment. Directed by Sam Irvin, the film stars Richard Joseph Paul, Andrew Divoff, George Takei, Julie Newmar, Musetta Vander, Isaac Hayes and Meg Foster....
(1994), as Mattie Chase - CheersCheersCheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
(1989–1993), as Kelly GainesKelly GainesKelly Gaines Boyd is a character on the American television show Cheers, portrayed by Jackie Swanson. Kelly joined Cheers in the middle of the seventh season as Woody Boyd’s love interest. She appeared in 24 episodes....
/Boyd (24 episodes) - The Golden GirlsThe Golden GirlsThe 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...
(1992), as Tracy 1 episode - Baby Talk (1991), as Stella
- Dragnet (TV Series) (1990), as Miss Carpen
- She's The Sheriff (1989), as Cherie
- The People Next DoorThe People Next DoorThe People Next Door is an American situation comedy which aired briefly on CBS as part of its Fall 1989 schedule.-Synopsis:Set in Covington, Ohio, The People Next Door stars Jeffrey Jones, previously regarded as a character actor, as cartoonist Walter Kellogg, a man whose imagination was so vivid...
(1989), as Debbie - The Charmings (1988), as Candy
- Perfect Victims (1988), as Carrie Marks
- Almost Grown (1988) Pilot
- Slam Dance (1987) (uncredited)
- It's Alive III: Island of the Alive (1987), as Tenant
- Lethal WeaponLethal WeaponLethal Weapon is a 1987 American buddy cop action film and the first in a series of films, all directed by Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a mismatched pair of LAPD detectives, and Gary Busey as their primary adversary...
(1987), as Amanda Hunsaker - Less Than ZeroLess Than Zero (film)Less Than Zero is a 1987 American drama film loosely based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel of the same name. The film stars Andrew McCarthy as Clay, a college freshman returning home for Christmas to spend time with his ex-girlfriend Blair and his friend Julian , who is also a drug addict...
(1987), (uncredited) as Jandie