Priscilla Barnes

Infobox actress


imagesize = 250px
caption = Priscilla Barnes, 2006
birthname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1955|12|7
birthplace = Fort Dix, New Jersey, U.S.
deathdate =
deathplace =
occupation = Film, stage, TV actress
spouse = Ted Monte (2003-Present)

Priscilla Barnes (born December 7, 1952 [ [http://www.filmreference.com/film/58/Priscilla-Barnes.html Priscilla Barnes Biography (1952-) ] ] or 1955) is an American actress known for replacing Suzanne Somers (Jenilee Harrison having stepped in the season before) when the contract of Somers was not renewed on the show "Three's Company". On that series, she portrayed Terri Alden, an intelligent nurse who seemed to be the show's answer to complaints about their portrayal of blondes. Barnes had previously auditioned for the part of Cindy Snow, but was turned down because she was deemed "too old" for the part.

Biography

Early life and career

Before she made it big on "Three's Company", Barnes was a beauty pageant contestant. During her teens she aspired to be a dancer. One of her earliest roles was a minor role in the horror film Tintorera. During a "Hollywood Bowl" performance, she fell off the stage, fracturing her jaw and breaking her leg, and putting a lid on her dancing career. Also prior to fame, she appeared in the March 1976 issue of "Penthouse" magazine under the false name Joann Witty. Barnes later sued the magazine when they republished her photo using her real name.

Barnes eventually turned to acting and appeared on TV shows such as "Starsky and Hutch", "The Rockford Files" and "The Love Boat".

"Three's Company"

Being cast as Terri Alden on "Three's Company" brought Barnes instant public recognition. In 1998, on the show, "E! True Hollywood Story", she called "Three's Company" the "three worst years" of her life, even though she became lifelong friends with castmate Joyce DeWitt and she does have some favorite episodes of the show. Barnes revealed that after shooting a couple of episodes of the show, she felt "uncomfortable" on the set and asked to be released from her contract.

Barnes stuck on with the show in spite of her disagreements with the producers. She also claimed the show typecast her as a comedic actress whereas before "Three's Company", she was "up for anything".

Later career

Barnes has many film credits to her name as well as extensive experience on stage, notably appearing in the James Bond film "Licence to Kill", as Della Churchill, the ill-fated bride of CIA agent Felix Leiter, as well as the three-nippled fortune teller in Kevin Smith's "Mallrats". In the 2005 Rob Zombie movie, "The Devil's Rejects", she played Gloria Sullivan.

Personal life

In her personal life, she has been married to actor Ted Monte since 2003.

References

External links

*imdb|0055733
*amg name|2:4034
* [http://www.felixleiter.com/category/miscellaneous/della/ Priscilla Barnes (Della Leiter)] at [http://www.felixleiter.com/ FelixLeiter.com]