Roberta Brown
Encyclopedia
Roberta Brown is an American
actress, writer
, and swordmaster
. She is most notable for her work on the syndicated TV series Queen of Swords. In Queen of Swords, Roberta worked onscreen as sword double for female characters played by Tessie Santiago
, Bo Derek
, and Paulina Galvez
. In addition, she worked as fight director and swordplay coach in that series. Roberta has, also, choreographed numerous fights and swordfights for other television series, theatre, and motion pictures. Among the actors Roberta has trained, coached, and occasionally fenced onscreen are Billy Campbell
, Tessie Santiago
, Peter Wingfield
, Valentine Pelka
, Anthony Lemke
, Patricia Arquette
, Lucy Liu
, Elizabeth Gracen
, Andrew Helm
, Bob Golec, Patrick Fabian
, Noah Wyle
, Goran Visnjic
, Mary Reinhardt, Hugo Speer
, Emily Blunt
, and Alex Kingston
. Though never having trained him, Roberta has fenced actor and swordmaster Anthony De Longis
onscreen.
with Honors--Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa--in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University
. There she studied fencing under Maestro Bill Shipman. She discovered her skills and strengths when she enrolled in a stage combat class. Also, while at Brandeis, Roberta worked as a research assistant with the Linguistics
Department. Upon graduation, she traveled to London
to study at and receive her Master of Fine Arts
degree equivalent (Diploma with Merit) from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
. There she studied with Master Roy Goodall and became a member of the Society of British Fight Directors.
. After a small acting role in the story of feuding ice skaters Tonya Harding
and Nancy Kerrigan
, Roberta took a position as an Olympic style fencing instructor with the Westside Fencing Center in Culver City, California
. In the grand tradition of Douglas Fairbanks
, whose fencing uniform was on display at the studio, she was soon teaching stage fighting to local actors in addition to her work as a fencing coach. It was at Westside that Roberta met Robert "Bob" Chapin, another fencer, who needed a sparring partner in Los Angeles
. Bob cast Roberta in his "Dragon Fury" film. From there, he introduced Roberta to members of the "Highlander: The Series
" world including Anthony De Longis
, Andrew Helm
, Ken Gord
, and David Abramowitz.
, won the role.
Roberta received a call from the producers of Queen of Swords shortly after filming had begun in Spain at Texas Hollywood
. The stuntwoman, Natalia Guijarro Brasseur, who had been hired to do sword work along with other stunt work was not as adept with the sword as was Roberta. In order to complete filming on schedule the producers hired Roberta to work as sword double for Tessie Santiago. Roberta flew to Spain, was fited for the costume and put to work. In addition to doubling for Tessie Santiago, Roberta doubled for actresses Paulina Galvez
and Bo Derek
in various episodes. Roberta would also do swordplay coaching with the actors when they were not filming so that everyone could look as if they had been fencing for a long time and so that everyone on set would be safe.
After the first episodes were filmed and before the Americans went home for a break, Roberta and Fight Director Anthony De Longis
were informed that they were being released from their roles in the series so that more visas could be made available for guest actors.
She was replaced by the French stunt performer Gaёlle Cohen.
, called on Roberta to double for actress Lucy Liu
in an opening fencing sequence for the 2003 film Charlie's Angels
. She drove up the coast of California
to the home of Patricia Arquette
to teach the actress to use the bullwhip
for her role in the popular children's film, "Holes
." Finally, Roberta was hired to choreograph the sword duel between actors Noah Wyle
and Goran Višnjić
in an episode of Warner Brother's hit show, ER
. As she taught the actors their moves in the scene that mimicked a great fencing move from the Olympics, they became friends. So when, Alex Kingston
who played Dr. Elizabeth Corday on ER
, started to shoot the film "Boudica
/Warrior Queen
" in Romania
she convinced producers to hire Roberta as her stunt double.
and Europe
. In 2003, she choreographed the heroine-led play "Maria Morevna" which was presented from May 8 - June 15, 2003
at the Gascon Center Theatre in Culver City. Then in 2007, she and her young son were brought to Austria
to choreograph fight scenes for "Hamlet
." By 2009, Roberta had become resident Fight Director for both the Los Angeles Shakespeare Company and for the European Shakespeare Days Shakespeare in Styria Festival.
," her connections from "Queen of Swords," and the Westside Fencing Center gave her the opporunity to participate in Highlander Fan Conventions. When Anthony De Longis
could not appear as swordmaster
at the Highlander Down Under Number 4 convention in Brisbane
, Australia
, Roberta was asked to fill in for him at the last minute. Roberta happily complied and created the "Swords on Set" video with actor Peter Wingfield
. While at Highlander Down Under Number 4, Roberta made the acquaintance of actress Elizabeth Gracen
("Lizzie"). Although they had both appeared on Queen of Swords, Roberta had left before Lizzie performed her role on the series. Lizzie and Roberta became friends. So at the Highlander Reunion Convention held August 24–26, 2001 at the LAX Westin Hotel in Los Angeles
to mark the 15th year of the existence of Highlander, Lizzie and Roberta joined to start to present Chinese Flying Fan classes. From 2001 to its demise in 2006, Roberta and Lizzie continued their Chinese Flying Fan classes at Fan Odyssey conventions in Culver City, California
run by actor Valentine Pelka
's American handler, Mary Lee Holzheimer.
At the same time, Bob Chapin and Andrew Helm
had started to create some of the first webisode
s ever made in their comical vampire
tracking series, "The Hunted." Roberta appeared as Raquel in a number of episodes for "The Hunted."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, and swordmaster
Swordmaster
Swordmaster or Sword Master may refer to:* Kensei - an adept in swordsmanship* Swordmaster, one of several characters from the Soul Calibur video game series* Swordmaster, a unit classes in Fire Emblem video games...
. She is most notable for her work on the syndicated TV series Queen of Swords. In Queen of Swords, Roberta worked onscreen as sword double for female characters played by Tessie Santiago
Tessie Santiago
Tessie Santiago is an American actress of Cuban and Spanish descent.-Family and education:Tessie Santiago has two younger siblings, a brother and a half-sister...
, Bo Derek
Bo Derek
Mary Cathleen Collins , better known as Bo Derek, is an American film and television actress, model, and sex symbol, known for her role as Jenny Hanley in the 1979 comedy film 10. However, Derek's film career soon faltered; her later films, including, Bolero and Ghosts Can't Do It , were poorly...
, and Paulina Galvez
Paulina Gálvez
Paulina Gálvez is a Spanish actress. She was born in Santiago de Chile, Chile to a Chilean mother and a Spanish father, both economists. She was raised in Madrid from the age of eight...
. In addition, she worked as fight director and swordplay coach in that series. Roberta has, also, choreographed numerous fights and swordfights for other television series, theatre, and motion pictures. Among the actors Roberta has trained, coached, and occasionally fenced onscreen are Billy Campbell
Billy Campbell
William Oliver "Billy" Campbell is an American film and television actor. In television, he is best known for his roles as Rick Sammler on Once and Again, as Det. Joey Indelli on Crime Story, as Jordan Collier on The 4400, and as Dr. Jon Fielding on the Tales of the City Miniseries...
, Tessie Santiago
Tessie Santiago
Tessie Santiago is an American actress of Cuban and Spanish descent.-Family and education:Tessie Santiago has two younger siblings, a brother and a half-sister...
, Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield is a Welsh born television actor, well known for his television roles as Dan Clifford in Holby City, Dr. Robert Helm in Queen of Swords and Inspector Simon Ross in Cold Squad...
, Valentine Pelka
Valentine Pelka
Valentine Pelka is an English actor who has starred in film and on television.-Biography:Pelka was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire to an actress mother and a civil engineer father. His mother is Irish, and his father is Polish. His sister is Kazia Pelka an actress who starred in Brookside, amongst...
, Anthony Lemke
Anthony Lemke
Anthony Lemke is a Canadian actor. Lemke is best known in the United States as "Capt. Grisham" from the short-lived television series Queen of Swords and in Quebec as "David Rothstein" from the hit, mulitple award-winning series Les Hauts et les bas de Sophie Paquin.-Biography:Anthony Lemke was...
, Patricia Arquette
Patricia Arquette
Patricia T. Arquette is an American actress and director. She played the lead character in the supernatural drama series Medium for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series....
, Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu
Lucy Alexis Liu is an American actress and film producer. She became known for playing the role of the vicious and ill-mannered Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal , and has also appeared in several Hollywood films including Charlie's Angels, Chicago, Kill Bill, and Kung Fu Panda.-Early...
, Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Ward Gracen is an American actress who won the title of Miss America in 1982. She was born Elizabeth Grace Ward but should not be confused with another Elizabeth Ward who worked as a television actress during the first half of the 1980s....
, Andrew Helm
Andrew Helm
Andrew Helm is a latter 20th century and early 21st century American actor and writer. He is most notable for his work as "Evil Kevin" on "The Hunted" webisodes created by actor, Robert "Bob" Chapin...
, Bob Golec, Patrick Fabian
Patrick Fabian
Patrick Fabian is an American actor. He has played numerous roles in TV shows , and after twenty years of acting achieved a breakthrough of sorts in the 2010 movie The Last Exorcism.-Life:...
, Noah Wyle
Noah Wyle
Noah Strausser Speer Wyle is an American film, television and theatre actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. John Truman Carter III in the Medical drama ER. He has also played Steve Jobs in the 1999 docudrama Pirates of Silicon Valley and Flynn Carsen in The Librarian franchise...
, Goran Visnjic
Goran Višnjic
Goran Višnjić is a Croatian actor who has appeared in American and British films and television productions. He is best known for his role as Dr. Luka Kovač in the hit television series ER...
, Mary Reinhardt, Hugo Speer
Hugo Speer
Hugo Speer is an English actor.He was born in Harrogate, Yorkshire, and educated at Harrogate Grammar School. He studied acting at The Arts Educational School....
, Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt
Emily Olivia Leah Blunt is an English actress best known for her roles in The Devil Wears Prada , The Young Victoria , and The Adjustment Bureau . She has been nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, two London Film Critics' Circle Awards, and one BAFTA Award...
, and Alex Kingston
Alex Kingston
Alexandra Elizabeth "Alex" Kingston is an English actress. She is most widely known for her roles as Dr. Elizabeth Corday on the NBC medical drama ER and as River Song in Doctor Who.-Early life and education:...
. Though never having trained him, Roberta has fenced actor and swordmaster Anthony De Longis
Anthony De Longis
Anthony Charles De Longis is an American actor, stuntman, and choreographer.-Career:*De Longis is well known for his recurring role during the first two seasons of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, as First Maje Jal Culluh, leader of the Kazon-Nistrim.*A very experienced swordsman, he is also...
onscreen.
Education
In 1987, Roberta earned a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
with Honors--Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa--in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
. There she studied fencing under Maestro Bill Shipman. She discovered her skills and strengths when she enrolled in a stage combat class. Also, while at Brandeis, Roberta worked as a research assistant with the Linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
Department. Upon graduation, she traveled to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to study at and receive her Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
degree equivalent (Diploma with Merit) from the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, formerly the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, was a drama school, and originally a singing school, in London. It was one of the leading drama schools in Britain, and offered comprehensive training for those intending to pursue a...
. There she studied with Master Roy Goodall and became a member of the Society of British Fight Directors.
Early years
In 1993, Roberta moved to Hollywood. She studied and taught acting in studios run by Lee Strasburg and Howard FineHoward Fine
Howard Fine is an American acting teacher, the founder of the Howard Fine Acting Studio in Hollywood, CA, and a theatre director.-Early life:...
. After a small acting role in the story of feuding ice skaters Tonya Harding
Tonya Harding
Tonya Maxine Harding is an American figure skating champion. In 1991 she won the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and placed second in the World Championships. She was the second woman, and the first American woman, to complete a triple axel jump in competition...
and Nancy Kerrigan
Nancy Kerrigan
Nancy Ann Kerrigan is a two-time American Olympic figure skating medalist and 1993 U.S. champion.-Early life and skating career:...
, Roberta took a position as an Olympic style fencing instructor with the Westside Fencing Center in Culver City, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. In the grand tradition of Douglas Fairbanks
Douglas Fairbanks
Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. was an American actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He was best known for his swashbuckling roles in silent films such as The Thief of Bagdad, Robin Hood, and The Mark of Zorro....
, whose fencing uniform was on display at the studio, she was soon teaching stage fighting to local actors in addition to her work as a fencing coach. It was at Westside that Roberta met Robert "Bob" Chapin, another fencer, who needed a sparring partner in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Bob cast Roberta in his "Dragon Fury" film. From there, he introduced Roberta to members of the "Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
" world including Anthony De Longis
Anthony De Longis
Anthony Charles De Longis is an American actor, stuntman, and choreographer.-Career:*De Longis is well known for his recurring role during the first two seasons of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, as First Maje Jal Culluh, leader of the Kazon-Nistrim.*A very experienced swordsman, he is also...
, Andrew Helm
Andrew Helm
Andrew Helm is a latter 20th century and early 21st century American actor and writer. He is most notable for his work as "Evil Kevin" on "The Hunted" webisodes created by actor, Robert "Bob" Chapin...
, Ken Gord
Ken Gord
Ken Gord is a Canadian film and television producer.-The early years:Kenneth Steven Gord was born in Toronto General Hospital on February 25, 1949. His parents, Henry and Goldie Gord, were also native Torontonians and Ken was their middle child...
, and David Abramowitz.
Queen of Swords
As David Abramowitz started putting together his syndicated series, Queen of Swords, Roberta was asked to teach fencing moves to the three actresses who were finalists for the role of the Queen of Swords. All three could act, but since the Queen was supposed to be an expert swordswoman, the one who could learn fencing movement technique the quickest would be chosen so the producers would know that the actress playing the role of the Queen could make herself look like an expert in the use of swords. Dancer and actress, Tessie SantiagoTessie Santiago
Tessie Santiago is an American actress of Cuban and Spanish descent.-Family and education:Tessie Santiago has two younger siblings, a brother and a half-sister...
, won the role.
Roberta received a call from the producers of Queen of Swords shortly after filming had begun in Spain at Texas Hollywood
Texas Hollywood
Texas Hollywood is a Western-styled theme park in the province of Almería in Spain. Built in the early 1970s, it lies a few kilometers to the north of the N-340 road highway , near the town of Tabernas. Around 1977, Rafa Molina, a stuntman, bought the set for US$6,000 to improve his job...
. The stuntwoman, Natalia Guijarro Brasseur, who had been hired to do sword work along with other stunt work was not as adept with the sword as was Roberta. In order to complete filming on schedule the producers hired Roberta to work as sword double for Tessie Santiago. Roberta flew to Spain, was fited for the costume and put to work. In addition to doubling for Tessie Santiago, Roberta doubled for actresses Paulina Galvez
Paulina Gálvez
Paulina Gálvez is a Spanish actress. She was born in Santiago de Chile, Chile to a Chilean mother and a Spanish father, both economists. She was raised in Madrid from the age of eight...
and Bo Derek
Bo Derek
Mary Cathleen Collins , better known as Bo Derek, is an American film and television actress, model, and sex symbol, known for her role as Jenny Hanley in the 1979 comedy film 10. However, Derek's film career soon faltered; her later films, including, Bolero and Ghosts Can't Do It , were poorly...
in various episodes. Roberta would also do swordplay coaching with the actors when they were not filming so that everyone could look as if they had been fencing for a long time and so that everyone on set would be safe.
After the first episodes were filmed and before the Americans went home for a break, Roberta and Fight Director Anthony De Longis
Anthony De Longis
Anthony Charles De Longis is an American actor, stuntman, and choreographer.-Career:*De Longis is well known for his recurring role during the first two seasons of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, as First Maje Jal Culluh, leader of the Kazon-Nistrim.*A very experienced swordsman, he is also...
were informed that they were being released from their roles in the series so that more visas could be made available for guest actors.
She was replaced by the French stunt performer Gaёlle Cohen.
Swordmaster work increases
After her work on Queen of Swords ended, Roberta returned to her position as fencing instructor at Westside Fencing Center. In the meantime, she continued to obtain work as a fight director and sword double in various films and TV shows. Fellow fencing instructor, Andy ArmstrongAndy Armstrong
Andy Armstrong is an actor, stuntman and film producer. He is the brother of Vic Armstrong.-References:...
, called on Roberta to double for actress Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu
Lucy Alexis Liu is an American actress and film producer. She became known for playing the role of the vicious and ill-mannered Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal , and has also appeared in several Hollywood films including Charlie's Angels, Chicago, Kill Bill, and Kung Fu Panda.-Early...
in an opening fencing sequence for the 2003 film Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
. She drove up the coast of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to the home of Patricia Arquette
Patricia Arquette
Patricia T. Arquette is an American actress and director. She played the lead character in the supernatural drama series Medium for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series....
to teach the actress to use the bullwhip
Bullwhip
A bullwhip is a single-tailed whip, usually made of braided leather, which was originally used as a tool for working with livestock.Bullwhips are pastoral tools, traditionally used to control livestock in open country...
for her role in the popular children's film, "Holes
Holes (film)
Holes is a 2003 film based on the novel of the same name by Louis Sachar, who also wrote the screenplay, with Shia LaBeouf as the lead role of Stanley Yelnats...
." Finally, Roberta was hired to choreograph the sword duel between actors Noah Wyle
Noah Wyle
Noah Strausser Speer Wyle is an American film, television and theatre actor. He is best known for his role as Dr. John Truman Carter III in the Medical drama ER. He has also played Steve Jobs in the 1999 docudrama Pirates of Silicon Valley and Flynn Carsen in The Librarian franchise...
and Goran Višnjić
Goran Višnjic
Goran Višnjić is a Croatian actor who has appeared in American and British films and television productions. He is best known for his role as Dr. Luka Kovač in the hit television series ER...
in an episode of Warner Brother's hit show, ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
. As she taught the actors their moves in the scene that mimicked a great fencing move from the Olympics, they became friends. So when, Alex Kingston
Alex Kingston
Alexandra Elizabeth "Alex" Kingston is an English actress. She is most widely known for her roles as Dr. Elizabeth Corday on the NBC medical drama ER and as River Song in Doctor Who.-Early life and education:...
who played Dr. Elizabeth Corday on ER
ER (TV series)
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
, started to shoot the film "Boudica
Boudica
Boudica , also known as Boadicea and known in Welsh as "Buddug" was queen of the British Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire....
/Warrior Queen
Warrior Queen
Warrior Queen is a British television series made by Thames Television for ITV in 1978.Set in Britain under Roman rule, this historical drama starred Siân Phillips in the title role as Boudica, queen of the Iceni and chronicled her efforts to maintain the peace for her people and fight the Romans....
" in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
she convinced producers to hire Roberta as her stunt double.
Theater
Between movies, Roberta was hired as fight director and swordmaster in live theater productions in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. In 2003, she choreographed the heroine-led play "Maria Morevna" which was presented from May 8 - June 15, 2003
at the Gascon Center Theatre in Culver City. Then in 2007, she and her young son were brought to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
to choreograph fight scenes for "Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
." By 2009, Roberta had become resident Fight Director for both the Los Angeles Shakespeare Company and for the European Shakespeare Days Shakespeare in Styria Festival.
Highlander
Although Roberta never worked on "Highlander: The SeriesHighlander: The Series
Highlander: The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985...
," her connections from "Queen of Swords," and the Westside Fencing Center gave her the opporunity to participate in Highlander Fan Conventions. When Anthony De Longis
Anthony De Longis
Anthony Charles De Longis is an American actor, stuntman, and choreographer.-Career:*De Longis is well known for his recurring role during the first two seasons of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, as First Maje Jal Culluh, leader of the Kazon-Nistrim.*A very experienced swordsman, he is also...
could not appear as swordmaster
Swordmaster
Swordmaster or Sword Master may refer to:* Kensei - an adept in swordsmanship* Swordmaster, one of several characters from the Soul Calibur video game series* Swordmaster, a unit classes in Fire Emblem video games...
at the Highlander Down Under Number 4 convention in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Roberta was asked to fill in for him at the last minute. Roberta happily complied and created the "Swords on Set" video with actor Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield
Peter Wingfield is a Welsh born television actor, well known for his television roles as Dan Clifford in Holby City, Dr. Robert Helm in Queen of Swords and Inspector Simon Ross in Cold Squad...
. While at Highlander Down Under Number 4, Roberta made the acquaintance of actress Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Gracen
Elizabeth Ward Gracen is an American actress who won the title of Miss America in 1982. She was born Elizabeth Grace Ward but should not be confused with another Elizabeth Ward who worked as a television actress during the first half of the 1980s....
("Lizzie"). Although they had both appeared on Queen of Swords, Roberta had left before Lizzie performed her role on the series. Lizzie and Roberta became friends. So at the Highlander Reunion Convention held August 24–26, 2001 at the LAX Westin Hotel in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to mark the 15th year of the existence of Highlander, Lizzie and Roberta joined to start to present Chinese Flying Fan classes. From 2001 to its demise in 2006, Roberta and Lizzie continued their Chinese Flying Fan classes at Fan Odyssey conventions in Culver City, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
run by actor Valentine Pelka
Valentine Pelka
Valentine Pelka is an English actor who has starred in film and on television.-Biography:Pelka was born in Dewsbury, Yorkshire to an actress mother and a civil engineer father. His mother is Irish, and his father is Polish. His sister is Kazia Pelka an actress who starred in Brookside, amongst...
's American handler, Mary Lee Holzheimer.
At the same time, Bob Chapin and Andrew Helm
Andrew Helm
Andrew Helm is a latter 20th century and early 21st century American actor and writer. He is most notable for his work as "Evil Kevin" on "The Hunted" webisodes created by actor, Robert "Bob" Chapin...
had started to create some of the first webisode
Webisode
A webisode is a short episode which airs initially as Internet television, either download or stream as opposed to first airing on broadcast or cable television. The format can be used as a preview, a promotion, as part of a collection of shorts, or a commercial.A webisode can be an episode...
s ever made in their comical vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
tracking series, "The Hunted." Roberta appeared as Raquel in a number of episodes for "The Hunted."
Westside Fencing Center closes
By the middle of the first decade of the 21st century, money problems and disagreements hit Westside. So, when they could not pay their lease anymore, Westside Fencing Center closed its doors. Roberta started teaching Chinese Fighting Fan to pregnant mothers and eventually started teaching fencing again at the Beverly Hills Fencers Club. By the end of 2009, she had become the Director of Theatrical Combat at Beverly Hills Fencers Club.Multimedia
- Women of Action Network (action consultant)
- Mary ReadMary ReadMary Read was an English pirate. She is chiefly remembered as one of only two women known to have been convicted of piracy during the early 18th century, at the height of the Golden Age of Piracy....
(swordmaster)
Film and television
- Lapse (2009) (fight director)
- A Gothic Romance (2004) (fight director)
- BoudicaBoudicaBoudica , also known as Boadicea and known in Welsh as "Buddug" was queen of the British Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire....
, a.k.a. Warrior QueenWarrior QueenWarrior Queen is a British television series made by Thames Television for ITV in 1978.Set in Britain under Roman rule, this historical drama starred Siân Phillips in the title role as Boudica, queen of the Iceni and chronicled her efforts to maintain the peace for her people and fight the Romans....
(2003) (fight director, sword master, and stunt double: Alex Kingston) - HolesHoles (film)Holes is a 2003 film based on the novel of the same name by Louis Sachar, who also wrote the screenplay, with Shia LaBeouf as the lead role of Stanley Yelnats...
(2003) (bullwhip trainer) - The BacchaeThe BacchaeThe Bacchae is an ancient Greek tragedy by the Athenian playwright Euripides, during his final years in Macedon, at the court of Archelaus I of Macedon. It premiered posthumously at the Theatre of Dionysus in 405 BC as part of a tetralogy that also included Iphigeneia at Aulis, and which...
(2002) (whip choreographer) - Charlie's AngelsCharlie's AngelsCharlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
(2000) (fencing choreographer and uncredited fencing double: Lucy Liu) - The DistrictThe DistrictThe District is a television police drama which aired on CBS from October 7, 2000 to May 1, 2004. The show followed the work and personal life of the chief of Washington, D.C.'s Police Department .-Premise:...
(2000) TV series (stunts) - Queen of Swords (2000) TV series (stunt double: Bo Derek/Paulina Galvez/Tessie Santiago and stunts: swords)
- The X ShowThe X ShowThe X Show was a magazine, variety, and interview/talk program that aired on FX Network in the US from May 1999 to April 2001. Running time was originally one hour, but this was later reduced to a half-hour. The show was 'guy-themed' much like a TV equivalent of Maxim magazine , though seldom as...
(1999) TV series (fencing consultant) (unknown episodes) - A Walk in the ParkA walk in the park"A Walk in the Park" is Namie Amuro's sixth solo single under the Avex Trax label. It was her first original single to be released after the massive success of her solo debut album, Sweet 19 Blues and was her fourth million selling single....
(1999) (fight director) - Prince ValiantPrince ValiantPrince Valiant in the Days of King Arthur, or simply Prince Valiant, is a long-run comic strip created by Hal Foster in 1937. It is an epic adventure that has told a continuous story during its entire history, and the full stretch of that story now totals more than 3700 Sunday strips...
(1997) (swordplay coach) - Fist of the North(1995) (stunts) (uncredited)
- Dragon Fury (1995) (stunts)
- ERER (TV series)ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
(1994) TV series (sword master) (unknown episodes) - Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins (1994) (TV) (dialect coach)
- Dragon EmpiresDragon EmpiresDragon Empires was a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by UK-based Codemasters. Its main focus was player versus player clan action to take control of 50 cities in five empires within its world. - Development :...
(fight choreographer) - Swords on the Set (swordmaster)
- Cede of Marrow (fight choreographer)
- Extra Hard (fight choreographer)
- Kill Bill, Vol.1
Actress
- A Gothic Romance (2004) .... Maria
- The HuntedThe HuntedThe Hunted may refer to:* The Hunted , film noir featuring a woman just out of prison after a jail heist* The Hunted , directed by J. F...
.... Raquel - DeadlockDeadlockA deadlock is a situation where in two or more competing actions are each waiting for the other to finish, and thus neither ever does. It is often seen in a paradox like the "chicken or the egg"...
(1997) .... Magil - Dragon Fury (1995) .... Warrior
- Tonya & Nancy: The Inside Story (1994) (TV) (uncredited) .... Medic
Self
- The Story of the Costume Drama .... Herself, Episode: "A Call to Arms" (2008)
- The X ShowThe X ShowThe X Show was a magazine, variety, and interview/talk program that aired on FX Network in the US from May 1999 to April 2001. Running time was originally one hour, but this was later reduced to a half-hour. The show was 'guy-themed' much like a TV equivalent of Maxim magazine , though seldom as...
.... Herself, Episode: "18 October 1999" (1999) - Home & Family .... Herself, Episode: "14 November 1996" (1996)
Selected Theater Credits as Swordmaster
- "Oman ... O Man!"..............Kennedy Center, Washington DC
- "Hamlet".......................European Shakespeare Days, Austria
- "Twelfth Night"................The Globe Theater, LA
- "Romeo and Juliet".............European Shakespeare Days, Austria Da
- "Names"........................Lee Strasberg Theatre
- "The Ugly Play"................Santa Monica Playhouse
- "Hamlet".......................Playhouse West
- "Ravish".......................New Dance Theatre
- "15-Minute Hamlet".............Shakespeare and Friends
- "Maria Morevna"................Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble
- "Fortinbras"...................Howard Fine Theater
- "Romeo and Juliet".............Shakespeare and Friends
- "Twelfth Night"................Gascon Center Theatre
- "Hasta La Muerte"..............Gascon Center Theatre
- "Improvimagic".................Hollywood's Magic Castle
- "Horatio Hornblower"...........Long Beach Pier
- "Richard the Lionheart"........Vienna's English Theatre, Austria
- "Briar Patch"..................Ventura Court Theater
- "The Erpingham Camp"...........The Drayton Arms, London
External links
- Roberta Brown Official Website
- Roberta Brown on the Internet Movie Data Base
- The Fightmaster Spring/Summer 2003
- Backstage West September 9, 2004
- Los Angeles Times March 10, 2003
- Brandeis Review
- Job Report November, 2003
- Highlander Downunder 4
- Highlander Reunion Convention Report October 4, 2009
- Fan Odyssey
- Maria Morevna