Beverly Heather D'Angelo (born November 15, 1951) is an American actress who starred as Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon's Vacation films (1983–2015).[1] She has appeared in over 60 films and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role as Patsy Cline in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980), and for an Emmy Award for her role as Stella Kowalski in the TV film A Streetcar Named Desire (1984). D'Angelo's other film roles include Sheila Franklin in Hair (1979) and Doris Vinyard in American History X (1998).

Beverly D'Angelo
D'Angelo in February 2012
Born
Beverly Heather D'Angelo

(1951-11-15) November 15, 1951 (age 72)
OccupationActress
Years active1976–present
Spouse
Don Lorenzo Salviati
(m. 1981; div. 1995)
PartnerAl Pacino (1997–2003)
Children2
RelativesHoward Dwight Smith (grandfather)
Websitebeverlydangelo.com

Early life edit

D'Angelo was born in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Priscilla Ruth (née Smith), a violinist, and Eugene Constantino "Gene" D'Angelo, a bass player and television station manager at WBNS-TV in Columbus.[2][3] Her father was of Italian descent. Her paternal grandparents, Eugenio and Rosina D'Angelo were from Introdacqua in the Abruzzo region of Italy.[4] She has three brothers, Jeff, Tim and Tony.[5] Their maternal grandfather, Howard Dwight Smith, was an architect who designed the Ohio Stadium, nicknamed "the Horseshoe" at Ohio State University.[6][7]

D'Angelo attended Upper Arlington High School in Upper Arlington, Ohio, a northwest Columbus suburb. In 2009, she was awarded the Upper Arlington Alumni Association (UAAA) Distinguished Alumnus Award for achievement in her career.[citation needed]

D'Angelo worked as an illustrator at Hanna-Barbera Studios and as a singer before pursuing an interest in acting. While living for a period in Canada, she was a backup singer for American-born rockabilly singer Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins' band The Hawks. After going out on their own they became The Band, a group that is considered legendary.[8][9]

Career edit

D'Angelo began acting in the theatre, appearing on Broadway in 1976 in Rockabye Hamlet (also known as Kronborg: 1582), a musical based on Shakespeare's Hamlet.[2] She made her television debut in the first three episodes of the TV mini-series Captains and the Kings in 1976.

After gaining a minor role in Annie Hall in 1977, D'Angelo appeared in a string of hit films in the late 1970s including Every Which Way But Loose, Hair, and Coal Miner's Daughter, the last earning her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Patsy Cline.[10] She won a Country Music Association award for Album of the Year.[11]

Her biggest break came in 1983 starring with Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Vacation in the role of Ellen Griswold. She reprised this role in four Vacation sequels and a short film between 1985 and 2015. In the 1980s she starred in many other major comedy films; in the mid-1990s she acted primarily in independent films. In 1994 D'Angelo returned to the stage and won a Theatre World Award for her performance in the Off-Broadway play Simpatico.[12]

She received an Emmy Award nomination for her performance as Stella Kowalski in the 1984 TV film version of A Streetcar Named Desire.[13] She later had main roles in a number of made-for-television dramatic films, including Slow Burn, Judgment Day: The John List Story, and Sweet Temptation.[14] In the 2000s D'Angelo had a recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as defense attorney Rebecca Balthus.[2] She also worked as a voice actress. In 1992 she had a guest appearance in the third season of The Simpsons as Lurleen Lumpkin, a Southern country singer and waitress in the "Colonel Homer" episode. Sixteen years later in 2008, she appeared in the nineteenth season as the same character in the episode "Papa Don't Leech".

 
D'Angelo in 2012

From 2005 to 2011, D'Angelo appeared in the HBO series Entourage playing the role of agent Barbara "Babs" Miller.[1] In 2006 she starred in the independent film Gamers: The Movie. In 2008 D'Angelo had a role in the film Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay as Sally. She played the housemother in the film The House Bunny, and also appeared in the Tony Kaye film Black Water Transit.

In 2014, D'Angelo was cast alongside Chevy Chase in an ABC comedy pilot called Chev & Bev, about a retired couple having to raise their grandchildren. ABC opted against making a series.[15] D'Angelo appeared alongside Chevy Chase in the comedy Vacation, a continuation of the original film, which was released on July 29, 2015.[16]

D'Angelo narrates a short biographical film about Patsy Cline, which is shown to visitors of The Patsy Cline Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. The museum opened to the public on April 7, 2017.

Personal life edit

D'Angelo was romantically involved with Miloš Forman, who directed her in Hair (1979).[17] In 1981, she married Italian Don Lorenzo Salviati, who is the only son and heir of Don Forese Salviati, 5th Duke Salviati, Marchese di Montieri and Boccheggiano, Nobile Romano Coscritto, and his wife, the former Maria Grazia Gawronska.[18][19]

Later, she began a relationship with Anton Furst, an Academy Award-winning production designer, who died by suicide in 1991. She was in a relationship with actor Al Pacino from 1997 until 2003. The couple has twins conceived through IVF, a son and daughter born January 25, 2001.[20][21]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1977 Annie Hall Actress in Rob's T.V. Show
1977 The Sentinel Sandra
1977 First Love Shelley
1978 Every Which Way But Loose Echo
1979 Hair Sheila Franklin
1980 Coal Miner's Daughter Patsy Cline Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
1981 Honky Tonk Freeway Carmen Odessa Shelby
1981 Paternity Maggie
1982 Highpoint Lise
1983 National Lampoon's Vacation Ellen Griswold
1984 Finders Keepers Standish Logan
1985 Get Out of My Room Harriet
1985 National Lampoon's European Vacation Ellen Griswold
1986 Big Trouble Blanche Rickey
1987 In the Mood Francine Glatt
1987 Aria Gilda Segment "Rigoletto"
1987 Maid to Order Stella Winston
1988 Trading Hearts Donna Nottingham
1988 High Spirits Sharon Brogan Crawford
1989 Cold Front Amanda O'Rourke
1989 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Ellen Griswold
1990 Daddy's Dyin'... Who's Got the Will? Evalita Turnover
1990 Pacific Heights Ann Miller Uncredited
1991 The Miracle Renee Baker
1991 The Pope Must Die Veronica Dante
1991 Lonely Hearts Alma
1992 Man Trouble Andy Ellerman
1994 Lightning Jack Lana Castel
1995 The Crazysitter Edie
1996 Eye for an Eye Dolly Green
1996 Edie & Pen Barlady
1996 Love Always Miranda
1997 Vegas Vacation Ellen Griswold Nominated — Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress
1997 Die Story von Monty Spinnerratz Mrs. Dollart
1997 Nowhere Dark's Mom
1997 Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills Pixie Chandler
1997 The Good Life Never released[22]
1998 Merchants of Venus Mistress Cody
1998 Illuminata Astergourd
1998 With Friends Like These... Theresa Carpenter
1998 American History X Doris Vinyard Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
1998 Divorce: A Contemporary Western Linda
1999 Sugar Town Jane
1999 Get Bruce Herself
1999 Jazz Night Kate Winslow Short film
2000 High Fidelity Woman selling records Deleted scene
2001 Women in Film Phyllis Wolf
2001 Happy Birthday Bag Lady Cameo
2001 Summer Catch Lusty House Mother Uncredited
2003 Where's Angelo? Auntie Nanny Short film
2004 Hair High Darlene Voice[23]
2004 King of the Corner Betsy Ingraham
2006 Gamers Gordon's Mom
2006 Relative Strangers Angela Minnola
2007 Game of Life Kathy
2007 Battle for Terra Interrogator Wright Voice[23]
2008 Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay Sally
2008 Partigiano Mother's voice Voice
2008 The House Bunny Mrs. Hagstrom
2009 Aussie and Ted's Great Adventure Aunt Zelda
2009 Black Water Transit Valeriana Schick
2010 Hotel Hell Vacation Ellen Griswold Short film
2010 April 86 Rose D'Andrea Short film
2012 I Heart Shakey Sheila
2013 Bounty Killer Lucille
2013 All American Christmas Carol Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
2014 Popcorn Ceiling Jerri
2015 Accidental Love Helen Eckle
2015 Under the Bed Sandra Monroe
2015 Vacation Ellen Griswold
2016 Dreamland Marie
2017 Wakefield Babs
2018 Frat Pack Moira
2018 The Unicorn Edie
2021 The Good House Mamie Lang
2022 Violent Night Gertrude Lightstone
2024 Drugstore June Marla
TBA No Address Dora Post-production
TBA Summer Camp Post-production

Television films edit

Year Title Role Notes
1984 A Streetcar Named Desire Stella DuBois Kowalski Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
1985 Doubletake Caroline Wallace
1986 Slow Burn Laine Fleischer
1987 Hands of a Stranger Mary Hearn
1987 The Man Who Fell to Earth Eva Milton
1992 Trial: The Price of Passion Johnnie Faye Boudreau
1992 A Child Lost Forever: The Jerry Sherwood Story Jerry Sherwood
1993 Judgment Day: The John List Story Helen List
1994 Jonathan Stone: Threat of Innocence Annie Hayes
1994 Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills Kitty Menéndez
1996 Widow's Kiss Vivian Fairchild
1996 Sweet Temptation Jesse Larson
1999 Lansky Teddy Lansky
2013 The Good Mother Judge Kennedy
2014 The Michaels Millie Barnworth

Television series edit

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Captains and the Kings Miss Emmy 3 episodes
1983 Faerie Tale Theatre Henbane Episode: "Sleeping Beauty"
1985 Tall Tales & Legends Katrina Van Tassel Episode: "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
1992 Tales from the Crypt Janice Baird Episode: "Werewolf Concerto"
1992, 2008 The Simpsons Lurleen Lumpkin Voice, 2 episodes
1999 Frasier Audrey Voice, episode: "The Show Where Woody Shows Up"[23]
1999 Rude Awakening Sidney 'Syd' Gibson 4 episodes
2000 Talk to Me Dr. Debra 3 episodes
2003–08 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rebecca Balthus 5 episodes
2005–11 Entourage Barbara Miller 25 episodes
2007 Imperfect Union Maizy Unsold TV pilot
2007 Family Guy Ellen Griswold Voice, episode: "Blue Harvest"
2008 Skip Tracer Donna King Unsold TV pilot
2010 Cougar Town Sheila Keller Episode: "What Are You Doin' in My Life?"
2014 Friends with Better Lives Gretchen Episode: "Something New"
2015 Mom Lorraine 3 episodes
2015 Chev & Bev Beverly Unsold TV pilot
2017–18 Shooter Patricia Gregson 6 episodes
2018–19 Insatiable Stella Rose Buckley 5 episodes
2019 The Filth Millionairess Episode: "Filthy Day Jobs"
2022 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Serafina Carisi Episode: "Promising Young Gentlemen"
2022 Little Ellen Adelaide Voice, 2 episodes
2023 True Lies Director Susan Trilby 2 episodes

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Beverly D'Angelo profile". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Beverly D'Angelo". Yahoo Movies. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  3. ^ http://birth-records.mooseroots.com/l/7729475/Beverly-Heather-Dangelo[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "NIAF MileStones". Niaf.org. Archived from the original on April 16, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  5. ^ "Priscilla D'Angelo - Obituary". www.legacy.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Ohio Stadium: The Men Behind the Stadium". Birth of Ohio Stadium (wosu.org). Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  7. ^ Weiker, Jim (September 11, 2015). "Beverly D'Angelo heads back home - not on vacation (interview)". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved August 24, 2020. Q: Your grandfather, Howard Dwight Smith, designed Ohio Stadium. Do you feel a connection to the building or attend games? A: Sure, I feel a connection. It's our family. He was a very present person in our family, even beyond his passing.
  8. ^ "Artist Biography by Craig Harris". AllMusic.
  9. ^ "Beverly D'Angelo Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  10. ^ "Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture (1981)". GoldenGlobes.com. Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  11. ^ "Top CMA Award Nominees" (PDF). Country Music Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  12. ^ Beverly D'Angelo at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
  13. ^ "Beverly D'Angelo | Academy of Television Arts & Sciences". Emmys.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  14. ^ John P. McCarthy (March 5, 1996). "Sweet Temptation". Variety. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  15. ^ Hibberd, James (May 8, 2015). "ABC rejects Chevy Chase 'Vacation' reunion sitcom". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  16. ^ ""Deepwater", "Vacation" Reboot Get New Dates". Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  17. ^ Andersson, Eric (December 9, 2022). "Beverly D'Angelo 'Loved' Being Married to Italian Duke Lorenzo Salviati: Inside Their Romance". People.
  18. ^ Lester, Peter (November 30, 1981). "How Could She Top Burt's Baby? Beverly D'angelo Marries a Duke". People. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  19. ^ Rubin, Hanna (July 26, 1991). "Beverly D'Angelo's many layers". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  20. ^ "Pacino's Bambinos". People. February 12, 2001. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  21. ^ "Twin Pique". People. February 24, 2003. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  22. ^ "The wild, untold story of The Good Life". Little White Lies. February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  23. ^ a b c "Beverly D'Angelo (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 2, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.

External links edit