Laura Harrington (born 1957 or 1958)[1] is an American actress and screenwriter.
Laura Harrington | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1957 or 1958 (age 66–67) |
| Alma mater | Boston University |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1981–1999 |
Biography
editA native of Ann Arbour, Michigan,[2] Harrington attended Boston University, where she studied with David Wheeler, artistic director of the Theater Company of Boston.[3]
Harrington made her Broadway debut under Wheeler's direction as Margaret in the 1979 revival of Richard III with Al Pacino, a fact highlighted by Bergen Record critic Emory Lewis at the conclusion of an otherwise lukewarm review:
Harrington, who portrays Lady Margaret, makes an impressive Broadway debut. Few performers know how to listen on stage. Even when she doesn't have a line of dialogue, this gifted actress speaks volumes with her eyes and her expressive hands.[4]
Wheeler also facilitated Harrington's acclaimed 1981 screen debut in The Dark End of the Street, when he recommended her to the film's director Jan Egleson.[3][1]
Harrington is perhaps best known for her role as the main character's sister in the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Previously seen as the character Mrs. Johnson in the cult classic 1984 film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, she went on to play a prominent role in the 1986 film Maximum Overdrive, written and directed by horror novelist Stephen King, in which she played the love interest to Emilio Estevez's character.[5]
Harrison had a supporting role in the 1997 film The Devil's Advocate, alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. She has also appeared in television series including Quantum Leap. In 2013, Screen International's Jeremy Kay reported that Harrison, together with producer Bill Mechanic and writers Bill Berman and James Schamus, had adapted Vonda N. McIntyre's The Moon and the Sun for the screen.[6] Kay revisited the story in 2014, adding one more name, Ron Bass, to the list of co-writers.[7] However, the finished film, released eight years later as The King's Daughter, included only Berman and Schamus as credited writers.[8]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The Dark End of the Street | Donna | |
| 1984 | City Girl | Anne | |
| 1984 | Joy of Sex | Pretty Girl #2 | |
| 1984 | The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension | Mrs. Eunice Johnson | |
| 1986 | Maximum Overdrive | Brett | |
| 1987 | The Verne Miller Story | Judge's Daughter | |
| 1990 | Midnight Cabaret | Tanya Richards | |
| 1990 | 12:01 PM | Dolores | Short |
| 1993 | What's Eating Gilbert Grape | Amy Grape | |
| 1997 | The Devil's Advocate | Melissa Black | |
| 1998 | Paulie | Lila Alweather |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Not My Kid | Melody | TV film |
| 1987 | Faerie Tale Theatre | Coretta | "The Dancing Princesses" |
| 1988 | Vietnam War Story | Meg Taylor | "The Promise" |
| 1989 | L.A. Takedown | Eady | TV film |
| 1989 | Perfect Witness | Jeanie Paxton | TV film |
| 1989 | Quantum Leap | Connie LaMotta | "Jimmy" |
| 1990 | Equal Justice | Paula Jenkins | "The Art of the Possible" |
| 1990 | Against the Law | Sonia Kolowicz | "Where the Truth Lies" |
| 1990 | Cop Rock | "The Cocaine Mutiny" | |
| 1992 | The Secret | Meredith Dunmore | TV film |
| 1992 | Quantum Leap | Connie LaMotta | "Deliver Us from Evil" |
| 1993 | Linda | Stella Jeffries | TV film |
| 1994 | Dead Air | Susan | TV film |
| 1999 | Providence | Gina Vinton | "Two to Tango" |
References
edit- ^ a b Connelly, Sherryl (June 22, 1981). "Fresh and flirtatious Laura Harrington". New York Daily News. p. M6. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Laura Harrington biography at The New York Times
- ^ a b Chase, Chris (June 12, 1981). "At the Movies: Meet 'Zorro' Hamilton — Swashbuckler". The New York Times. p. C6. ProQuest 121756897.
Realizing that she couldn't attend college without aid, Miss Harrington began auditioning as an actor at various schools, and she won a full scholarship to Boston University, where she studied with David Wheeler, known for his work with the Theater Company of Boston. It was Mr. Wheeler who recommended Miss Harrington to Jan Egleson when the director was casting 'The Dark End of the Street.'
- ^ Lewis, Emory (June 15, 1979). "The king as hoodlum". The Record. pp. B10–B 11. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ White, Gina (5 October 1985). "'Overdrive' says thanks, hit the road". Star-News. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (May 7, 2013). "Brosnan to play Louis XIV". Screen International. ProQuest 1348974478.
Pandemonium head Bill Mechanic will produce and adapted [sic] Vonda McIntyre's novel with co-writers Barry Berman, James Schamus and Laura Harrington.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (August 15, 2014). "Paramount nabs Louis XIV drama". Screen International. ProQuest 1553443734.
Producer and Pandemonium Films CEO Bill Mechanic shopped the project to the studio. [...] Laura Harrington adapted the screenplay with revisions by Mechanic, Barry Berman, Harrington, James Schamus and Ron Bass.
- ^ Guzmán, Rafer (January 21, 2022). "Movies: The King's Daughter". Newsday. p. B6. Retrieved September 1, 2024.