Andra Akers Explained

Andra Akers
Birth Date:September 16, 1943
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Death Date:March 20, 2002 (aged 58)
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation:Actress, philanthropist
Relatives:Anthony B. Akers (father)
John Russell Pope (grandfather)
Ellery Akers (sister)
William Ellery

Andra Akers (September 16, 1943 – March 20, 2002) was an American actress and philanthropist. A character actress, she appeared in films, theater and television, usually in tough or brassy roles.

Early life and education

Akers was born in New York City. Her father, Anthony B. Akers, was a veteran World War II naval officer and attorney who became the United States ambassador to New Zealand during the Kennedy administration. Her mother, Jane Pope, was the daughter of the architect John Russell Pope. She was descended from William Ellery.[1] Her sister, Ellery Akers, is a poet and naturalist based in Northern California.[2]

Career

During her time in New Zealand she attended Victoria University of Wellington and appeared in a 1962 production of Chekhov's The Seagull.[3] She continued her studies at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, majoring in theater and political science.

She made her film debut in Brian de Palma's Murder a la Mod in 1968.[4] Her acting career spanned the 1960s through to the mid-1980s, during which time she made several guest appearances in popular television series. In 1986 she retired from acting to found Synergy International, later renamed the Essence Institute, an interdisciplinary think tank involving video and electronic artists, mathematicians, computer scientists and others.

Death

Akers died in Los Angeles in 2002 following complications from surgery.[5]

Filmography

Film

! Year! Title! Role! Notes
1968Murder a la ModTracy
1969The Wedding PartyWedding Guest
1978Moment by MomentNaomi
1984E. Nick: A Legend in His Own MindAunt Mona
1985Desert HeartsSilver
1986Just Between FriendsAndrea
1986Odd JobsMrs. Finelli
1986Nothing in CommonBlonde Saleswoman

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1975Police WomanLinda KammEpisode: "Glitter with a Bullet"
1976VisionsKate ScofieldEpisode: "Liza's Pioneer Diary"
1976Charlie's AngelsJessica FarmerEpisode: "Angels on Wheels"
1976–1977Mary Hartman, Mary HartmanChristine Addams21 episodes
1977All's FairDesireeEpisode: "Remembrance"
1977RaffertyMrs. HollanderEpisode: "Rafferty"
1977BarettaDoris JohnsonEpisode: "Make the Sun Shine"
1978TaxiRitaEpisode: "Come as You Aren't"
1978FamilyRoz CornickEpisode: "Expectations"
1979DallasSally BullockEpisode: "Return Engagements"
1979 / 1982Hart to HartLouisa Clement / Dana BlakeEpisodes: "Death in the slow Lane" / "Harts and Palms"
1981Pen 'n' Inc.Gretchen VanderwyckTelevision film
1981Flamingo RoadVanessa CurtisEpisode: "The Intruder"
1981HardcaseLaura TinkerbellTelevision film
1982The Dukes of HazzardMolly HargroveEpisode: "Birds Gotta Fly"
1982Voyagers!Lizzie PalmerEpisode: "Old Hickory and the Pirate"
1985CopacabanaPamela DevereauxTelevision film
1986Killer in the MirrorStacey Courtney
1986MoonlightingMrs. KendrickEpisode: "Big Man on Mulberry Street"

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andra Akers Obituary - Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Times. . Apr 19, 2019.
  2. Web site: 2002-04-16. Andra Akers. 2020-07-08. Variety. en.
  3. http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/downloads/Salient25101962.pdf Dramatic Occasion
  4. Web site: The Films of Brian De Palma - Reviews by David Nusair. Reelfilm.com.
  5. Web site: Andra Akers Obituary . Legacy.com.