Kerry Remsen

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Kerry Remsen
Born
United States
NationalityAmerican
Other namesKerry Cates, Kerry Remsen Phillips
Occupation(s)Actress, Acting coach, Dance instructor
Years active1981 - 1995

Kerry Remsen is an American actress. She is the daughter of actor Bert Remsen and casting director Barbara Joyce Dodd, sister of Ann Remsen Manners and has been married to Ron Cates since 2006. She attended the U.S. Grant High School in Van Nuys, California. She has appeared in well over twenty different films and television programs. She was a regular and prominent cast member of Leah Laiman's 1990s soap opera, Tribes. She is also most remembered by horror fans for her small part in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, and supporting and co-starring roles in Pumpkinhead and Ghoulies II.

Background[edit]

Her mother, Barbara Joyce Dodd, was an actress and played Granny in Employee of the Month. Her actor father, Bert Remsen, died on April 22, 1999, aged 74.[1][2] Her older sister is Ann Manners.

In addition to her more than 25-year career in film, she is the founder of ACT, Acting Communication Training, an organization that works to boost the morale and confidence of at-risk children in inner-city schools.[3] Part of her work has been with the Payson Road organization to help children with eating disorders. In 2001, she was working with the organizations founder, Sarah Mason, who was an LA-based screenwriter at the time to organize the "Road to the Stars" event to raise support and awareness.[4] She is also a children's dance instructor and private acting coach.[5]

Career[edit]

1980s[edit]

Remsen found a decent amount of work in the 1980s. She appeared in at least ten movies, with two of them made for television. Some of those films were the best known horror films of the decade.[6][7] She also appeared in six different television programs.[8] She had a part as a teenager in Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls, a 1981 TV movie which was directed by Walter Grauman.[9][10] Then she had a credited role as Chris in Not My Kid, which was directed Michael Tuchner, and released in 1985.[11] She then had a part as a stage manager in The Facts of Life, episode 3, 2, 1.[12] She then had a major role as Samantha in the Jim Wilson directed 1986 film Smart Alec, which also starred Ben Glass, Antony Alda, Orson Bean and Natasha Kautsky.[13] The next movie she appeared in was a made-for-television film. It was Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story, which was directed by James Goldstone and starred Cliff Robertson and Loretta Swit. Her role as Taffi Fisher, the youngest child of the treasure hunter Mel Fisher was a prominent one.[14][15] In 1987, she appeared in 21 Jump Street,[16] CBS Schoolbreak Special,[17] and Our House.[18] Her next film was Two Moon Junction, which was directed by Zalman King. She played the part of Carolee.[19]

1990s[edit]

In 1990, she appeared on stage at the Friends Theatre in the play Montana, playing the part of Gayle.[20]

Also in 1990 she landed a regular role as Pamela in Tribes. She appeared in the first episode which aired on 5 March that year.[21] She appeared in a total of 65 of the show's 101 episodes,[22] with her last airing on 1 June.[23] Later that year she appeared as Trish in the Doogie Howser, M.D. episode, Car Wars.[24]

In 1992, the comedy film Round Numbers was released. The cast included Kate Mulgrew, Samantha Eggar, Marty Ingels, and Rick Dano. Remsen's sister Anne Remsen Manners was involved in the casting. Rremsen played the part of Constance, and was credited as Kerry Remsen Phillips.[25][26]

Horror films[edit]

The 1980s saw Remsen in some well known horror films.[27] She had a part in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge, which was released in 1985.[28] Another film released the same year was one she co-starred in. It was Ramsey Thomas's Appointment with Fear,[29][30] in which she played the part of Heather.[31] Her character Heather is the one that kills the villain Attis.[32] She was a prominent cast member in the 1988 film Pumpkinhead which was directed by Stan Winston. She played the part of Maggie, the girlfriend of Joel Hoffman's character Steve.[33] Also released that year was Ghoulies II, directed by Albert Band. In that film she had a prominent part playing the role of Nicole.[34] As the leading female actress in the film, she teams up with Larry, played by Damon Martin. They join forces to find a way to send the creatures back to hell.[35] Her last horror film for the decade which happened to be her last film for the decade was the Jim & Ken Wheat, directed / produced After Midnight. The film was in three parts with a different story in each. She played the part of Maggie in the "Allison's Story" segment.[36][37]

Later years[edit]

As a coach, one of the actors she coached was Jason Ellefson, who went on to appear in Melrose Place, and 6 Guns.[38][39][40] Other actors she worked with include Jennifer Holloway who had appeared as Barb in American Horror Story,[41][42] and Jase Lindgren.[43]

In Eric Shirey's review of Ghoulies and Ghoulies II on Scream Factory's blu-ray release, interviews of her along with producer Charles Band, and special effects artist Gino Crognale are noted as the bonus features for Ghoulies II.[44]

Filmography[edit]

Television
Title Episode # Role Director Year Notes #
The Facts of Life 3, 2, 1 Stage Manager John Bowab 1985
Family Ties Starting Over Rennie Steven Robman 1986
21 Jump Street The Worst Night of Your Life Tracy Rob Bowman 1987
CBS Schoolbreak Special An Enemy Among Us Jerri Arthur Allan Seidelman 1987
Our House Sounds from a Silent Clock: Part 1 Ray Austin 1987
ABC Afterschool Specials Torn Between Two Fathers Receptionist Richard Masur 1989
Doogie Howser, M.D. Car Wars Trish Brad Silberling 1990
Tribes Various Pamela 1990 65 Episodes in 1990
Beverly Hills, 90210 Song for My Mother Receptionist Chip Chalmers 1995
Film
Title Role Director Year Notes #
Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls Teenage Girl Walter Grauman 1981 TV movie
Not My Kid Chris Michael Tuchner 1985 TV movie
Appointment with Fear
aka Deadly Presence 		Heather Ramsey Thomas 1985
A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge Girlfriend Jack Sholder 1985
Smart Alec Samantha Jim Wilson 1986
Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story Taffi Fisher James Goldstone 1986 TV movie
Two Moon Junction Carolee Zalman King 1988
Pumpkinhead Maggie Stan Winston 1988
Ghoulies II Nicole Albert Band 1988
After Midnight Maggie
segment "Allison's Story" 		Jim Wheat
Ken Wheat 		1989
Round Numbers Constance Nancy Zala 1992 Credited as Kerry Remsen Phillips, or

Remsen Kerry Phillips[45][46]

Indictment: The McMartin Trial Female parent Mick Jackson 1995
White Man's Burden Pregnant Woman at Bus Stop Desmond Nakano 1995
Documentary
Title Role Director Year Notes #
Pumpkinhead Unearthed Herself 2008 Project supervisor: Aine Leicht[47][48]
Ghoulies II: More Toilets, More Terror - The Making of Ghoulies II Herself 2015 [49][50]

References[edit]

  1. ^ The New York Times, MAY 3, 1999 - Arts, Bert Remsen, Actor on Stage And Screen, 74
  2. ^ The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi, Nov 1, 2016 - 37 | Ghoulies II & Pumpkinhead Star Kerry Remsen
  3. ^ The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts - Kerry Remsen
  4. ^ Something Fishy - PAYSON ROAD HELPS PAVE THE WAY TO RECOVERY
  5. ^ The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts - Kerry Remsen
  6. ^ Imdb - Kerry Remsen, Filmography
  7. ^ The Odd Podcast with Joe Parisi, Nov 1, 2016 - 37 | Ghoulies II & Pumpkinhead Star Kerry Remsen
  8. ^ Imdb - Kerry Remsen, Filmography
  9. ^ netStudio - Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls (1981)
  10. ^ Movies Made for Television: The Telefeature and the Mini-series, 1964-1986, Alvin H. Marill - Page 209
  11. ^ Turner Classic Movies - Not My Kid(1985), Cast & Crew
  12. ^ the.facts.of.life.site - 1985-1986 SERIES INFORMATION
  13. ^ vpro cinema - Smart Alec, 1986, Jim Wilson, , credits
  14. ^ Historic Florida Keys: An Illustrated History of Key West & the Keys, By George Walter Born - Page 71
  15. ^ Turner Classic Movies - Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story(1986)
  16. ^ Stephen J. Cannell Television Productions: A History of All Series and Pilots, By Jon Abbott - Page 249
  17. ^ Turner Classic Movies - Kerry Remsen, COMPLETE FILMOGRAPHY WITH SYNOPSIS
  18. ^ Imdb - Kerry Remsen Filmography
  19. ^ TV Guide - Two Moon Junction 1988 | Movie
  20. ^ Los Angeles Times, July 06, 1989 - STAGE REVIEW : Two David Kranes One-Acts at Friends Theatre - ROBERT KOEHLER
  21. ^ Tribes (1990– ) - Episode #1.1
  22. ^ Imdb - Tribes TV Series (1990– ), Episode Guide, 101 episodes
  23. ^ Imdb - Episode #1.65
  24. ^ TV Buzer - Kerry Remsen
  25. ^ Variety Television Reviews 1991 - 1992, Garland Publishing, Inc. New York & London 1994 - Vidcassette Reviews, Round Numbers (Comedy-Color)
  26. ^ imdb - Round Numbers (1992), Full Cast & Crew
  27. ^ Geeks of Doom, Friday, September 12th, 2014 - Blu-Ray Review: Pumpkinhead (Collector’s Edition) By Adam Frazier
  28. ^ The Gorehound's Guide to Splatter Films of the 1980s, By Scott Aaron Stine - Page 211
  29. ^ VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever, January 1, 2008 - Appointment with Fear
  30. ^ Frame by Frame II: A Filmography of the African American Image, 1978-1994, By Phyllis Rauch Klotman, Gloria J. Gibson - Page 26 Fram by Frame II
  31. ^ The Motion Picture Guide ... Annual, CineBooks, 1986, Jay Robert Nash, Stanley Ralph Nash, Stanley Ralph Ross - Page 9
  32. ^ Critical Condition - TOTAL WEIRDNESS, APPOINTMENT WITH FEAR (1985)
  33. ^ DVD Talk, August 26, 2014 - Pumpkinhead (Blu-ray), The Movie: Review by Ian Jane
  34. ^ Rotten Tomatoes - Ghoulies II (1988) CAST
  35. ^ Rock Shock Pop - Ghoulies/Ghoulies II
  36. ^ Turner Classic Movies - After Midnight(1989), Cast & Crew
  37. ^ Rotten Tomatoes - After Midnight (1989) (1989)
  38. ^ Casting Networks, Los Angeles - JASON ELLEFSON, Training
  39. ^ Las Vegas Magazine, April 8, 2016 - Actor-turned-manager finds his perfect role at Beer Park By Kiko Miyasato
  40. ^ Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d ed. By Michael R. Pitts - 319 3947, 6 Guns
  41. ^ Actors Access - JENNIFER HOLLOWAY, Resume
  42. ^ TV Buzer - Jennifer Holloway
  43. ^ Actors Access - JASE LINDGREN, Resume
  44. ^ Movie Pilot, May 1, 2015 - #Horror, "Ghoulies / Ghoulies II" Blu-ray Review By Eric Shirey
  45. ^ Variety Television Reviews 1991 - 1992, Garland Publishing, Inc. New York & London 1994 - Vidcassette Reviews, Round Numbers (Comedy-Color)
  46. ^ imdb - Round Numbers (1992), Full Cast & Crew
  47. ^ Dread Central, July 15, 2014 Scream Factory Reveals Pumpkinhead Release Date and Full Details by John Squires
  48. ^ Imdb - Pumpkinhead Unearthed (2008 Video), Full Cast & Crew
  49. ^ Dread Central, April 13, 2015 - Ghoulies / Ghoulies II (Blu-ray) by Anthony Arrigo
  50. ^ Imdb - Ghoulies II: More Toilets, More Terror - The Making of Ghoulies II (2015), Cast

External links[edit]

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