Sherilyn Fenn Profile | |
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The sultry, versatile Sherilyn Fenn was born Sheryl Ann Fenn into a family of musicians of Italian and Hungarian descent on her mother's side and of Irish and French descent on her father's. Her mother Arlene Quatro played keyboard in rock bands, her aunt is rock-star Suzi Quatro and her grandfather Art Quatro was a jazz musician. Her father Leo Fenn was the manager of such bands as The Pleasure Seekers (the all-girl band formed by the Quatro sisters), Alice Cooper, and The Billion Dollar Babies. Sherilyn traveled a lot with her divorced mother and two older brothers before the family settled in Los Angeles when she was 17. Fenn, who says herself she's demure didn't want to start with a new school again and soon enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.
Fenn began her career with a number of B-movies including The Wild Life (1984) (alongside Chris Penn), skater film Thrashin' (1986) (opposite Josh Brolin) and teen-fantasy movie The Wraith (1986) (opposite Charlie Sheen). She had a memorable part in the cult teen-comedy Just One of the Guys (1985) in which she tries to seduce a teenage girl disguised as a boy, played by Joyce Hyser. Fenn landed her first starring role, as an engaged heiress to an old Southern family experiencing her sexual awakening in Zalman King's erotic drama film Two Moon Junction (1988), after which she said she wanted to hide for a year.
Fenn won her most outstanding role and made an indelible impression on the public when she was cast by David Lynch and Mark Frost as the tantalizing Audrey Horne, the high-school femme fatale from the critically acclaimed TV series "Twin Peaks " (1990). The series ran from 1990 to 1991, and the character of Audrey was one of the most popular with fans, in particular for her unrequited love for FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (played by Kyle MacLachlan) and her style from the '50s (with her saddle shoes, plaid skirts and tight sweaters). In the show's second season, when the idea of pairing Audrey and Cooper was abandoned, Audrey was paired with other characters like Bobby Briggs (Dana Ashbrook) and John Justice Wheeler (Billy Zane). Sherilyn hit cult status when Lynch filmed her dancing on Angelo Badalamenti's music and with another memorable scene in which her character knotted a cherry stem with her tongue.
Shortly after shooting Twin Peaks' pilot episode, David Lynch gave her a small but impressive part in Wild at Heart (1990), as a girl injured in a car wreck, obsessed by the contents of her purse, opposite Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern.
According to Fenn, the turning point in her career was when she met veteran acting coach Roy London in 1990. She credits him with instilling confidence and newfound enthusiasm.
After two nominations (Emmy and Golden Globe) and covers for Rolling Stone and Playboy magazines, Fenn was propelled to stardom and became a major sex symbol. She was chosen as one of People Magazine 's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World", was named one of the "10 Most Beautiful Women in the World" by Us Weekly , and one of the "100 Sexiest Women in the World" by FHM magazine. Fenn's classic looks - with her lily-white skin, vertiginous boomerang eyebrows, beauty mark next to her left eye and topaz eyes - were highlighted by renowned photographers like George Hurrell Sr., Steven Meisel, and Bettina Rheims, and led her to be compared to the ones like Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner.
Fenn has had an eclectic career with a significant body of work following "Twin Peaks" (1990). She chose to focus on widening her range of roles and was determined to avoid typecasting. She turned down the Audrey Horne spin-off series that was offered to her, and unlike most of the cast, chose not to return for the 1992 prequel movie Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), as she was then shooting Of Mice and Men (1992).
She proved her mettle as an actress with varied roles in neo-noir black comedy Desire and Hell at Sunset Motel (1992) (as a sultry femme fatale, opposite Whip Hubley and David Hewlett), huis-clos Diary of a Hitman (1991) (the directorial debut of her acting coach Roy London, in which she plays a fragile mother who confronts hitman Forest Whitaker), John Mackenzie's fictionalized biopic Ruby (1992), (as stripper Sheryl Ann DuJean, a Marilyn Monroe look-alike fictional character, who is a composite of several real-life women from Jack Ruby and president John Kennedy's entourage; opposite 'Danny Aiello' and Arliss Howard), romantic comedy Three of Hearts (1993) (as Kelly Lynch and William Baldwin's love interest), Carl Reiner's 1940s detective parody Fatal Instinct (1993) (as Armand Assante's lovesick secretary and Sean Young and Kate Nelligan's rival) and Showtime's biblical Slave of Dreams (1995) (TV), directed by Robert M. Young (as Potiphar's seductive wife Zulaikha, opposite Adrian Pasdar and Edward James Olmos, and produced by Dino De Laurentiis).
A highlight of Fenn's film career is Gary Sinise's film adaptation of Of Mice and Men (1992), in which she brought nuance to the role of a seductive and lonely country wife, desperately in need to talk to somebody, opposite Sinise and John Malkovich.
In 1993, Fenn teamed up with David Lynch's daughter Jennifer Chambers Lynch and starred in her directorial debut Boxing Helena (1993) as a haughty seductress forced to live in a box after her limbs were amputated by love-obsessed surgeon Julian Sands in an effort to possess her. Both Lynch and Fenn were proud of their work in it but the film - which was overshadowed by the lawsuits against Kim Basinger after she dropped out - ultimately was a critical and commercial failure.
Another outstanding performance was in NBC's miniseries Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995) (TV). During the shooting, Fenn fought to keep integrity in the script. Her priority was to respectfully and accurately portray Taylor, and she supported the original screenwriter's effort to concentrate on Taylor the person, not the legend. The same year she starred in an episode of "Tales from the Crypt" (1989) directed by Robert Zemeckis, alongside Isabella Rossellini and John Lithgow, as the lover of Humphrey Bogart, who appeared in the episode via CGI special effects.
She went on to star in independent films that have been well received on the festival circuit like Jon Harmon Feldman's Lovelife (1997) (as a low self-esteemed waitress, along with Bruce Davison, Jon Tenney, Carla Gugino and Saffron Burrows), romantic comedy Just Write (1997) (as the dream actress of Hollywood tour bus driver Jeremy Piven, who mistakes him for a famous screenwriter) and Adrian Pasdar's neo-noir directorial debut Cement (1999), a contemporary re-telling of "Othello", in which she played a tempting but imprudent femme fatale, alongside Chris Penn, Jeffrey Wright and Henry Czerny.
Tired of Hollywood, Fenn contemplated starting a European career when she starred opposite Ray Winstone in the British psychological drama and huis-clos Darkness Falls (1999) (as a wealthy, neglected wife, sequestered with her husband by a man determined to understand the events that led to his wife ending up in a coma).
She eventually decided to return to the United-States and gained newfound enthusiasm with the lead role in Showtime's dark comedy "Rude Awakening" (1998) as Billie Frank, an alcoholic ex-soap actress who struggles with her self-destructive habits. Based upon creator/executive producer Claudia Lonow's experience, the series ran from 1998 to 2001 and co-starred Lynn Redgrave, Jonathan Penner and Mario Van Peebles.
Following "Rude Awakening" (1998), Fenn's film and television credits have included Showtime's family comedy Off Season (2001) (TV), directed by Bruce Davison (along with Hume Cronyn, Rory Culkin, Adam Arkin and Davison; as a singer who takes care of her orphaned nephew), Matthew Ryan Hoge's The United States of Leland (2003) (as a woman who represents happiness and joie de vivre to Ryan Gosling), Showtime's Cavedweller (2004) (TV) (2004, along with Kyra Sedgwick and directed by Lisa Cholodenko), Geretta Geretta's Whitepaddy (2006) (opposite Lisa Bonet and Hill Harper, as a woman who struggles with her dysfunctional family after she reluctantly returned home and tries to fit in with her new neighborhood that has become predominantly black), Emily Skopov's Novel Romance (2006) (as a pregnancy shop owner, opposite Traci Lords and Paul Johansson), psychological thriller Presumed Dead (2006) (TV) (as a female detective working on a missing person case, who has to outwit crime novelist Duncan Regehr in order to get to the truth), and The Dukes of Hazzard : The Beginning (2007) (TV) (as a flirtatious version of Lulu Hogg).
Fenn has appeared along with Rob Estes and Milo Ventimiglia in a 2003 episode of Amy Sherman's "Gilmore Girls " (2000), which was the pilot for a California-set spin-off, eventually dropped by the network. Sherman-Palladino brought her back in the series with a different part as Scott Patterson's ex-girlfriend and protective mother to his daughter (2006-2007). Fenn had previously had recurring parts on "Dawson's Creek" (1998), (2002, as Joshua Jackson's seductive boss) and "Boston Public" (2000) (2003-2004, as a porn star turned tutor). Other notable guest appearances have included "21 Jump Street " (1987) (opposite her then-fiancé Johnny Depp), "Friends" (1994) (1997, as Matthew Perry's wooden-legged girlfriend), "The Outer Limits " (1995) (2001, as a duplicated scientist), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999) (2002, as a manipulative actress), and "The 4400" (2004) (2005, as Jean DeLynn Baker, a 4400 who has the ability to grow deadly toxin-emitting spores on her hands).
Fenn's interest in directing and children led her to step behind the camera to direct in 2006 a documentary film about child enrichment program CosmiKids. She subsequently joined its executive team as executive director of the film and television division.
Was engaged to Johnny Depp, whom she met on the set of the 1985 short student film "Dummies". Their relationship lasted three years and a half.
Rumored to have dated Kiefer Sutherland
Niece of 1970s pop singer Suzi Quatro and musicians Patti Quatro, Michael Quatro and Nancy Quatro.
Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world. [1991]
Studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute.
Sherilyn's name is scrawled across Johnny Depp's helmet in the movie Platoon (1986).
Her son Myles, with ex-husband Toulouse Holliday, was born. [Late 1993]
Worked for 2 months as a Playboy bunny in LA when she was 19.
Was originally cast as Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn for the WB show "Birds of Prey" (2002) in its pilot episode, but was replaced for the rest of the season by Mia Sara. Fenn dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
Measurements: 36C-25-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).
Daughter of Arlene Quatro.
Chosen by FHM magazine as one of the 100 sexiest women in the world. [1995]
Chose her then-boyfriend photographer Barry Hollywood to photograph her in the December 1990 issue of Playboy magazine.
Director David Lynch described her as "Five feet of heaven in a ponytail" and said "Sherilyn always made [him] think of a porcelain doll".
Made the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in October 1990, along with Mädchen Amick and Lara Flynn Boyle while promoting "Twin Peaks" (1990).
Starred in her friend Adrian Pasdar's debut feature as director, film neo-noir Cement (1999), co-starring Chris Penn and Jeffrey Wright (also Pasdar's friends), written by "Farscape" (1999)'s Justin Monjo. Fenn and Pasdar had already co-starred in biblical TV movie Slave of Dreams (1995) (TV) and both guest- starred in the sixth season of "Judging Amy" (1999). Penn and Fenn had already co-starred in The Wild Life (1984).
Practices Kundalini yoga.
Wished to portray silent-screen star Clara Bow.
Is part Italian and Hungarian on her mother's side (her mother's name Quatro is short for Quatrocchio), and part Irish and French on her father's side.
Her grandfather, Art Quatro, was a jazz band musician. His band was the 'Art Quatro Trio'.
Guest-starred opposite her then-fiancé Johnny Depp in an episode of "21 Jump Street" (1987).
Shares with director David Lynch a great interest in actress Marilyn Monroe.
Her favorite Elizabeth Taylor movies are A Place in The Sun (1951), Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), and The Sandpiper (1965).
Daughter of keyboard player Arlene Quatro who played in the Suzi Quatro band, that Sherilyn's father managed.
Made the cover of Playboy magazine in December 1990.
Although actress Elizabeth Taylor fought the unauthorized biography Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995) (TV), she found that Fenn aptly portrayed her.
Her car accident scene in Wild at Heart (1990) came from director David Lynch's impression of Fenn as a porcelain doll, and from the idea of seeing a porcelain doll breaking. He kept telling her about that, and that's how the scene was born. Lynch said of the scene, "I just pictured her being able to do this. She's like a broken china doll". Lynch got the same inspiration for the car accident scene in Mulholland Dr. (2001). His direction to actress Laura Harring was to act like a broken porcelain doll.
There were plans to spin her "Twin Peaks" (1990) character Audrey Horne off into her own series, that didn't come off. Apparently, Fenn's character inspired David Lynch for Laura Harring's character in Mulholland Dr. (2001), as Fenn said in an interview in 1997, "David was talking about 'Mulholland Drive', he talked about like 'Audrey goes to Hollywood'. She's driving along Mulholland in this convertible car... But it didn't end up happening."
While filming NBC's Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995) (TV), Fenn fought daily to keep integrity in the script. Fenn's priority was to respectfully and accurately portray Elizabeth Taylor.
Wears Chanel no.5
Likes cold and rainy weather.
Shares with friend/former boyfriend Prince a great interest in silent- screen star Clara Bow, whom Fenn wished to portray.
Her acting coach was Roy London who directed the movie Diary of a Hitman (1991), starring Fenn and Forest Whitaker.
During the shooting of Darkness Falls (1999) in the UK, contemplated moving to London, being tired of Hollywood. Co-star Ray Winstone encouraged her to come to England. So did British director Mike Figgis, who said it would be very positive for her to do that, as England is quite different from Hollywood. He told her she has a great body of work and she could work all the time in Europe.
Inspired Norwegian hard rock band 'Audrey Horne', named after Fenn's character in "Twin Peaks" (1990).
One of her favorite roles in a movie is Jessica Lange in Frances (1982).
Starred in an episode of "Tales from the Crypt" (1989) along with Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow and "Humphrey Bogart". Director Robert Zemeckis used footage of Bogart he included in the episode. Sherilyn plays Bogart's lover. Fenn and Rossellini had already co- starred in David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990) and both guest-starred in the third season of "Friends" (1994).
Of Mice and Men (1992) co-star John Malkovich is to her one of the best actors.
Chosen by Batman fans as a perfect Selina Kyle/Catwoman in a Batman dream cast.
Chosen by Us Weekly as one of the 10 Most Beautiful Women in the world. [1990]
Chosen by Femme Fatales magazine as one of the 50 sexiest sci-fi actresses. [1996]
Played two different characters (with different hair colors) on "Gilmore Girls" (2000): Sasha, the girlfriend of Jess's estranged father in California, and Anna Nardini, the mother of Luke's teen-aged daughter, April.
In 1992 photographer George Hurrell Sr. took a series of photographs of Sherilyn Fenn, Sharon Stone, Julian Sands, Raquel Welch, Eric Roberts and Sean Penn. In these portraits he recreated his style of the 1930s, with the actors posing in costumes, hairstyle and makeup of the period.
When asked why she did cast Fenn for two different roles on "Gilmore Girls" (2000), creator Amy Sherman said: "I love Sherilyn so much and I don't care. One thing about the show is I just want the best people. I've just been looking constantly for a time to work with Sherilyn, and I'm getting very old and I could just get hit by a truck at any minute. I just simply can't put it off that long, so I'd just rather get her in and have her part of my world."
Is friends with Jennifer Chambers Lynch.
Grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
Her father Leo Fenn was the personal manager of Alice Cooper for 13 years. He also managed "The Billion Dollar Babies" and Suzi Quatro's "The Pleasure Seekers".
Worked in 2003 on a film project called 'Gin and the Rumble Within' that didn't come off. The film would have been directed by actor George Katt, who guest-starred opposite Sherilyn Fenn in "Rude Awakening" (1998), and would have starred Fenn and Katt.
Posed for photographer Steven Meisel for the autumn-winter 1991-1992 Dolce & Gabbana campaign.
Was originally cast as the female lead in ABC's show "Prey" (1998), but was replaced by Debra Messing. Fenn starred in the unaired pilot episode.
Singer and composer Screamin' Jay Hawkins wrote and recorded in 1993 a song entitled "Sherilyn Fenn", featured on his album "Stone Crazy". The song is an ode to Fenn, who worked with Hawkins in Two Moon Junction (1988).
Was originally cast as the female lead in ABC's show "Three Moons Over Milford" (2005), but was replaced by Elizabeth McGovern. Fenn starred in the unaired pilot episode that also featured Jill Shackner as Lydia Davis and a guest appearance by Majandra Delfino.
Was considered for the title role in Roger Vadim's remake of his film Barbarella (1968) that ultimately didn't come off.
Sherilyn is mentioned in the 1995 song "Razor Burn" by the punk band Lagwagon on their 3rd full length album entitled "Hoss".
Chosen by Australian men magazine Zoo weekly as one of the "Top 50 Hottest Babes Ever". [March 2006]
Chosen by The Daily Mirror as one of the World's 100 Most Beautiful Women. [October 1996]
Auditioned for the Robin Wright Penn role in The Princess Bride (1987).
Expecting her second child. Father is boyfriend Dylan Stewart. [May 2007]
Described by writer/director Emily Skopov as an "indie goddess".
Inspired writer Sherilyn Connelly who took from Fenn the first name she goes under.
Joined the executive team of child enrichment program CosmiKids as executive director of the film and television division. [2007]
Was originally considered for the role of the femme fatale Lola, eventually played by Sean Young, in Fatal Instinct (1993). Fenn opted for the role of Armand Assante's lovesick secretary Laura and suggested director Carl Reiner cast Young as Lola.
Chosen by men magazine Maxim as one of 'Maxim's Most Wanted Women'. [October 1997]
Her second son Christian, with boyfriend Dylan Stewart, was born. [August 2007]
Attended the 3rd Annual "Night With The Friends of El Faro" Benefit. [May 13, 2005]
Made the cover of In Fashion magazine alongside Billy Idol. [Winter 1990-1991]
Her name is translated in Chinese as "Xuelin Fen", which means "Snow Jade".
Cousin of Kristen Glass and drummer Michael Glass (of Overscene).
Friend of CosmiKids founder Judy Julin.
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