Adrienne Barbeau

Biography

Adrienne Barbeau, born Adrienne Jo Barbeau on June 11, 1945, in Sacramento, California, is an American actress and author with a multifaceted career spanning stage, television, film, and voice acting. From her early days on Broadway to becoming a prominent figure in horror and sci-fi cinema, Barbeau has established herself as a captivating performer with a distinctive husky voice and a commanding screen presence.

Early Life and Broadway Roots

Barbeau's journey into entertainment began with an early interest in performance. After high school, she traveled with a musical comedy revue, entertaining servicemen. She then moved to New York City in the late 1960s, initially working as a go-go dancer for "the mob" while striving to break into Broadway.

Her persistence paid off. She made her Broadway debut in the chorus of Fiddler on the Roof, later taking on the role of Hodel. However, it was her creation of the tough-girl character Betty Rizzo in the original 1972 Broadway production of the musical Grease that brought her widespread recognition. Her performance earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting or Featured Actress in a Musical and a Theatre World Award.

Television Stardom and Genre Icon Status

Following her Broadway success, Barbeau transitioned to television, achieving household recognition as Carol Traynor, the divorced daughter of Bea Arthur's titular character, on the hit sitcom Maude (1972-1978). Her role in Maude showcased her comedic timing and ability to hold her own opposite a strong comedic ensemble.

In the 1980s, Barbeau's career took a significant turn into the horror and science fiction genres, establishing her as a beloved "scream queen" and cult icon. This shift was greatly influenced by her marriage to director John Carpenter, with whom she collaborated on several memorable films:

• The Fog (1980): Her first theatrical film appearance, where she starred as Stevie Wayne, a radio DJ, in Carpenter's atmospheric horror film. The role was written specifically for her.
• Escape from New York (1981): Another Carpenter film, where she played Maggie, a resourceful character in a dystopian New York. This role, too, was penned with her in mind.

She also starred in other notable genre films, often directed by other masters of horror:

• Creepshow (1982): George A. Romero's horror anthology, based on stories by Stephen King.
• Swamp Thing (1982): Wes Craven's superhero monster movie.

Beyond horror, she also appeared in popular films like The Cannonball Run (1981) and Back to School (1986).

Versatility in Voice Acting and Later Career

Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Barbeau continued to work extensively in film and television, including numerous made-for-television movies. She gained a new generation of fans through her prolific voice-acting career, most notably as the sultry voice of Catwoman in Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) and subsequent DC Animated Universe projects. Her distinctive voice brought a captivating allure to the iconic villainess.

In the 2000s, she joined the cast of the critically acclaimed HBO series Carnivàle (2003-2005) as Ruthie, the snake dancer, further demonstrating her ability to immerse herself in unique and complex roles. She also voiced villainess Helga Von Guggen in the animated series Totally Spies! and has continued to appear in various films and television shows, including a guest role in the Netflix series AJ and the Queen (2020).

Author and Personal Life

Adrienne Barbeau is also an accomplished author. She released her autobiography, "There Are Worse Things I Can Do," in 2006, and has penned a series of comedy-romance vampire novels: "Vampyres of Hollywood" (2008), "Love Bites" (2010), and "Make Me Dead" (2015).

She was married to John Carpenter from 1979 to 1984, and they have one son, Cody Carpenter, a musician. She later married actor and playwright Billy Van Zandt in 1992, with whom she had identical twin sons, Walker and William, in 1997, at the age of 51.

Adrienne Barbeau's career is a testament to her enduring talent, adaptability, and fearless embrace of diverse roles, cementing her status as a beloved figure in American entertainment.