Biographie

Has said in interviews that she sometimes wears tinted contacts when filming because her natural eye color can come across as "a character trait all its own.".

Was replaced with Sharon Gless on Cagney et Lacey (1981) after six episodes. CBS reportedly wanted somebody more "feminine".

Had a relationship with Ron Starr, they had a son named Christopher Starr. She and son Christopher starred together in Osterman Weekend (1983) directed by Sam Peckinpah, who directed Ron in Coups de feu dans la Sierra (1962).

Has worked extensively in the theatre since studying with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. Her stage credits include "King Lear", "Barabbas", "Three Sisters" and "Extremities", among others.

Stated that she based her character Evil-Lyn in Les Maîtres de l'Univers (1987) on that of William Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth. In the beginning of the film, she is a pantomime villainess but obviously deeply in love with Skeletor. As the story line progresses, she gradually comes to realize that he does not truly care for her and she finally abandons him to his fate, her withdrawal of her forces leading to his eventual defeat. In her opinion, the character progresses from out-and-out evildoer to scorned woman to tragic heroine.

The role I'd like to play is the role I'm doing next. I take it day by day.

[1978] Working is an important part of my life and identity. To be a fulfilled person, I would have to be doing something in addition to raising a child and running a house. Unless I'm feeling good about myself, I wouldn't be able to create the right environment for my family.

[on Lords of Salem (2012)] The film is about what happens to Heidi [Sheri Moon Zombie]. You follow her, but one doesn't really know if this is real. Is she really being haunted? Is it the result of stopping the drugs? Is it her mind? Is it a fantasy? There are some other people who live in the building where she lives who get involved also. It's really about so many things. As a viewer, I wasn't sure which way to turn; every character spoke to me, which I thought was brilliant. The visuals are extraordinary. There's this wonderful 1970s feel about everything. And being from New England I loved it. I was very personally reminded of when I grew up in the 1950s. And for the 1692 witches, Jennifer Spence created this incredible hovel out in the wilderness and it was so beautiful. There were chickens and birds that came and made nests. It was just extraordinary.

[on her Lords of Salem (2012) character] I didn't think of her as evil. I thought of her as a witch. I just let go. I didn't really plan anything and just tried to be in the moment.

[on her chanting and dialogue in Lords of Salem (2012)] I call it talking in tongues. That's what the witch's coven did in the 1600s. I knew what I was saying. I didn't feel frightened. It wasn't just a job. If you're in the moment of bringing life to the character inside and out, you tend to go places that are correct on a creative level.