- Nancy Valen
-
Nancy Valen Born December 16, 1965
Hallandale Beach, Florida, U.S.Other names Nancy Valin
Nancy Van PattenOccupation Actress, producer Years active 1985–present Spouse Nels Van Patten (m. 1994–present) Nancy Valen (born December 16, 1965) is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on Baywatch.
Contents
Early life
Nancy Valen was born and raised in Hallandale, Florida, on the beach of the southern Atlantic coast. By the time she was 12 years old, she was spending summers modeling in New York City and studied acting at Uta Hagen's HB Studios. After graduating from a performing arts high school in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Valen won a theatrical scholarship to the University of Florida. She ultimately declined the scholarship in favor of continuing her professional career in Miami. Meanwhile, she attended Broward Community College, where she studied theatre and paid for her tuition by modeling and acting, appearing in two episodes of Miami Vice.
After one year of college, Valen went to New York to pursue a theatrical career. Within one month of being in New York, she landed a series regular role on the daytime drama Ryan's Hope. Valen stayed with Ryan's Hope for two years before moving to Los Angeles to pursue other interests.
Career
Acting
Valen made her film debut in the 1985 comedy film Porky's Revenge, followed by a role in The Heavenly Kid with Richard Mulligan and Jane Kaczmarek. In 1989, Valen co-starred alongside Patrick Dempsey in the film, Loverboy. She also had a small role opposite Kirk Cameron in the film Listen to Me. Her other film appearances include Seven Sundays alongside Molly Ringwald; directed by Academy Award-winning director, Jean-Charles Tacchella.
In addition to films, Valen has also appeared in various television series. In 1990, she guest starred in an episode of Saved by the Bell as the brand new school nurse at Bayside High, Jennifer. That same year, she co-starred in the short-lived musical series Hull High. After the series premiere, TV Guide proclaimed her "the most agreeably watchable new star on TV". Valen has also guest starred on Hardball, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, Spin City, Boy Meets World, Miami Vice, and Murder She Wrote.
Valen has also appeared in several infomercials for the Bun and Thigh Roller, Slam man, Thin 'n Sexy Body Wrap, Kevin Trudeau's Debt Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About, and the Instyler.
Producing
Valen, alongside Craig J. Nevius, formed Windmill Entertainment. Among the television programs she has produced include Living in TV Land, Chasing Farrah, William Shatner in Concert, and Let's Kill Scott Baio.
Personal life
Since October 1994, Valen has been married to Nels Van Patten (son of actor Dick Van Patten). Her cousin is actress Talia Balsam.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role Notes 1985 Porky's Revenge Ginger The Heavenly Kid Melissa 1989 The Big Picture Young Sharon Loverboy Jenny Gordon Listen to Me Mia 1992 Final Embrace Candy Vale/Laurel Parrish 1993 Little Devils: The Birth Lynn 1994 Seven Sundays Nicky Alternative title: Tous les jours dimanche 1998 Black Thunder Mela 2000 The Flunky Cop 2002 Written in Blood Mary Ramson 2007 The Wager Tanya Steele Television Year Title Role Notes 1985 Miami Vice "Got a Light" Girl
Lana2 episodes 1985–1987 Ryan's Hope Melinda Weaver Unknown episodes 1988 Charles in Charge Tammy 1 episode 1989–1992 Murder, She Wrote Selina Williams Waverly
Lily Roland2 episodes 1990 Saved by the Bell Jennifer 1 episode Hull High Donna Breedlove 8 episodes 1991 The Young Riders Samantha Edgars 1 episode Full House Lisa Green 1 episode 1992 Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing Mala Sikorski Television movie 1993–1994 Silk Stalkings Sylvia DeCastro
Dr. Jillian Dupree2 episodes 1994 Walker, Texas Ranger Laura 2 episodes Hardball Jennifer 1 episode Fortune Hunter Madison Reynolds 1 episode Boy Meets World Ms. Kelly 1 episode 1995 Friends Lorraine The One with the Candy Hearts 1996–1997 Baywatch Samantha Thomas 23 episodes 1997 Viper Bianca Carson 1 episode 1994 The Love Boat: The Next Wave Leslie 1 episode 2001 Black Scorpion Angel of Death/Detective Angela Archer 1 episode 2002 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Neighbor 1 episode Spin City Ashley 1 episode External links
Categories:- Actors from Florida
- American female models
- American film actors
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- American television producers
- 1965 births
- Living people
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
