Dee Wallace Explained

Birth Name:Deanna Bowers
Birth Date:14 December 1948
Birth Place:Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1974–present
Children:Gabrielle Stone
Othername:Dee Wallace-Stone
Alma Mater:University of Kansas

Deanna Wallace (née Bowers), also known as Dee Wallace Stone, (born December 14, 1948)[1] is an American actress. She is perhaps best known for her role as Mary Taylor in the 1982 blockbuster science fiction film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Wallace earned further recognition as a scream queen for starring in several horror films, including The Hills Have Eyes (1977), The Howling (1981), Cujo (1983), Critters (1986), The Frighteners (1996), Halloween (2007), The House of the Devil (2009), and The Lords of Salem (2012).[2]

Early life

Wallace was born in Kansas City, Kansas, the daughter of Maxine (née Nichols), a secretary, and Robert Stanley Bowers.[3] Wallace's father developed severe alcoholism before dying by suicide when Wallace was in high school.[4] Her mother was a stage actress and producer who appeared in community theater productions in Kansas City, which inspired Wallace's interest in acting.[4]

After graduating from Wyandotte High School,[5] Wallace attended the University of Kansas and obtained an education degree. She briefly taught high school drama at Washington High School in her native Kansas City in the early 1970s.

Career

Wallace began her career on television appearing in episodes of The Streets of San Francisco, Starsky & Hutch and Police Woman, before appearing in the box-office horror hit film The Hills Have Eyes (1977). In 1981, she played a leading role in the horror film The Howling opposite her husband Christopher Stone. They later starred together in Cujo (1983) based on Stephen King's 1981 novel of the same name.

In 1982, Wallace went on to star in Steven Spielberg's science fiction film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).[6] The film became the highest-grossing film of all time—a record held for eleven years until Jurassic Park, another Spielberg-directed film, surpassed it in 1993. Wallace received a Saturn Award nomination for her performance. Wallace also starred in a number of comedy films, including 10 (1979), Jimmy the Kid (1982) and Secret Admirer (1985). In 1986, she starred in the horror comedy film Critters (a role she later reprised in a sequel, Critters Attack!, in 2019).[7] She has also appeared in many other horror films, most notably Peter Jackson's The Frighteners (1996).On television, Wallace played a leading role in the CBS sitcom Together We Stand (1986–1987) and the family drama The New Lassie (1989–1992). She guest starred in episodes of a number of shows, including The Twilight Zone, Hotel, Murder, She Wrote, Touched by an Angel, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, My Name Is Earl, Criminal Minds, and The Office.[8] In 2015, Wallace was cast on the ABC soap opera series General Hospital, as Patricia Spencer, the unseen, long-lost older sister of Luke and Bobbie Spencer; Wallace appeared in the show Supernatural, in the episode titled "Into the Mystic" (01/27/2016).

She was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series.[9]

Personal life

She was briefly married first to Barry Wallace and still uses his last name in her career. Their marriage ended in divorce. She married Christopher Stone in 1980, who died suddenly in 1995. They have one daughter, Gabrielle Stone.[10]

Wallace is a public speaker and self-help author, having written three books, and has her own call-in radio show where she talks exclusively about the creation of "self".[11] She often speaks about how you can get through tough times with determination and love. She has also written a book called Bright Light about her life lessons from an acting career.[12]

In 2018, she gave her first TED talk at TEDx Cape May, entitled "The Common Ground of Self".[13]

Selected filmography

Film

Film appearances of Dee Wallace
YearTitleRoleNotes
1975The Stepford WivesNettie the Maid
1977The Hills Have EyesLynne Wood
All the King's HorsesSandy Benson
197910Mary Lewis
1981The HowlingKaren White
1982E.T. the Extra-TerrestrialMary
Jimmy the KidMay
1983CujoDonna Trenton
1985Secret AdmirerConnie Ryan
1986CrittersHelen Brown
Shadow PlayMorgan Hanna
1987Legend of the White HorseAlta
1987Bushfire MoonElizabeth O'Day
1991PopcornSuzanne
Christine HodgesDirect-to-video film
1992Rescue MeSarah Sweeney
1993Lightning in a BottleJean Markley
1994The Skateboard Kid 2Lois Curtis
1995Georgia
The Phoenix and the CarpetMother
1996The FrightenersPatricia Ann Bradley
1997Invisible MomLaura Griffin
NevadaRuby
1998The Christmas PathJenny
1999Invisible Mom IILaura GriffinDirect-to-video film
Pirates of the PlainGlenna
Illusion InfinityPatricia ParadiseAlso known as Paradise
2001Out of the BlackPenny Hart
A Month of SundaysSarah McCabe
2005ScarIsabella
BooNurse Russell
HeadspaceDr. Denise Bell
Yesterday's DreamsRita
2006Kalamazoo?Susan
AbominableEthel Hoss
Expiration DateLucille
The PlagueNora
2007J-ok'elHelen Moret
Bone DryJoanne
HalloweenCynthia Strode
The Blue RoseMrs. Garrison
2009The House of the DevilLandlady
Stay CoolMrs. McCarthy
Babysitters BewareMs. Greene
The Mother of InventionNancy Dooly
The Haunted World of El SuperbeastoTrixieVoice role
Dark FieldsJean Applebe
2010Extraordinary MeasuresSal
BedroomsMarnie
Pound of FleshDean Jean Clark
2011Exodus FallShirley Minor
Bad ActressHerself
Walk a Mile in My PradasMary
2012The Lords of SalemSonny
The BoarderElizabeth
2013Hansel & GretelLilith
2014EjectaAshley Winnington-Ball
Haunting of Cellblock 11Ms. Simon
Love & MercyLilith
2017Red ChristmasDiane
Death HouseDr. Eileen Fletcher
2018Beyond the SkyLucille
Every Other HolidayMimi
Ouija HouseKatherine
The Wrong TeacherDr. Smith
2019DollsMargaret
Sunrise in HeavenMarion
In Search of DarknessHerselfDocumentary film
Critters Attack!Aunt Dee[14]
3 from HellGreta
2020Stay HomeDeeShort film[15]
202113 Fanboy Herself[16] [17] [18]
Marissa
2022In Search of TomorrowHerselfDocumentary film
The MunstersGood Morning Transylvania AnnouncerVoice role[19]
Marie
2024StreamLinda Spring[20]

Television

Television appearances of Dee Wallace
YearTitleRoleNotes
1974Lucas TannerWaitressEpisode: "Merry Gentlemen"
1975The Streets of San FranciscoJoan WarrenEpisode: "The Programming of Charlie Blake"
Ellery QueenWaitress / MamieEpisode: "The Adventure of the Chinese Dog"
1977Man from AtlantisHot Dog Stand OwnerEpisode: "Melt Down"
The San Pedro Beach BumsLisaEpisode: "Godfather's Five"
Bigfoot and WildboyDeedaEpisode: "Amazon Contest"
Starsky & HutchCarol WadeEpisode: "The Crying Child"
Police WomanShana FayetteEpisode: "Did You Still Beat My Wife"
1978Barnaby JonesAmy VickersEpisode: "Terror on a Quite Afternoon"
Police StorySharon ShayEpisode: "A Chance to Live"
Lou GrantPattiEpisode: "Hooker"
1978–1979CHiPsAngy / SheilaEpisodes: "Return of the Turks" and "Death Watch"
1979Hart to HartConnieEpisode: "Jonathan Hart Jr."
Trapper John, M.D.Dr. Valerie TatumEpisode: "The Adventures of the Chinese Dog"
Mrs. ColumboJanet RutledgeEpisode: "Ladies of the Afternoon"
TaxiJoyceEpisode: "Alex Romance"
1980SkagNoraEpisodes: "The Working Girl: Part 1 and 2"
Here's BoomerAliceEpisode: "Molly"
1981ABC Afterschool SpecialSue JinkinsEpisode: "Run, Don't Walk"
Child Bride of Short CreekMary JacobsTelevision film
1982, 1987CBS Schoolbreak SpecialFran Welsh / Jan FischerEpisodes: "Help Wanted" and "An Enemy Among Us"
1982SkeezerLucille Television film
1983Wait till Your Mother Gets Home!Pat PetersTelevision film
1984The Sky's No LimitDr. Maureen HarrisTelevision film
1984–1987HotelHelen Johnson / Lisa Mason / Pamela3 episodes
1985Finder of Lost LovesGail AamesEpisode: "Mister Wonderful"
Simon & SimonCarol BrooksEpisode: "Love and/or Marriage"
The Twilight ZoneJanice HammondSegment: "Wish Bank"
1986–1987Together We StandLori Randall19 episodes
1988Stranger on My LandAnnie WintersTelevision film
1989, 1991Murder, She WroteEllen Wicker / Mildred TerhuneEpisodes: "Fire Burn, Cauldron Bubble" and "Tainted Lady"
1989–1992The New LassieDee McCullough35 episodes
1990I'm Dangerous TonightWanda ThatcherTelevision film
1991The Barbara De Angelis ShowHerselfEpisode: "Dee Wallace Stone"
P.S. I Luv UMitzi PackerEpisode: "Pilot"
1992DarleneEpisode: "Mommie Dearest"
L.A. LawEliane WestonEpisode: "Wine Knot"
1994Witness to the ExecutionEmily DawsonTelevision film
Suzanne GuthrieTelevision film
Vanishing Son IVMeganTelevision film
Rebel HighwayMrs. GordonEpisode: "Runaway Daughters"
1995Here Come the MunstersMrs. Walker (uncredited)Television film
1997Linda JonesTelevision film
JAGCongresswoman Adele DeLongEpisode: "Crossing the Line"
Touched by an AngelSandra BrownerEpisode: "A Delicate Balance"
1998Pat RichTelevision film
1999Nash BridgesSusan MartinEpisode: "Resurrection"
Ally McBealGail ClarksonEpisode: "Buried Pleasures"
2001She's No AngelShawnessyTelevision film
FelicityAllison Covington2 episodes
2002The DivisionPaula MeeksEpisode: "Beyond the Grave"
She SpiesDaphneEpisode: "First Episode"
2003The AgencyDoris, Quinn's SisterEpisode: "Our Man in Korea"
2004Sharon RochaTelevision film
2005Cold CaseCharlotte JonesEpisode: "Strange Fruit"
Crossing JordanLorraine HeeleyEpisode: "Total Recall"
2006BonesSpecial Agent Callie WarnerEpisode: "The Woman in Limbo"
Voodoo MoonMary-AnnTelevision film
The Eden FormulaRhonda SharptonTelevision film
Without a TraceLara DuncanEpisode: "All the Sinners, Saints"
Close to HomeJoan MonroeEpisode: "There's Something About Martha"
2006–2007Sons & DaughtersColleen Halbert11 episodes
2007Grey's AnatomyJoan WaringEpisode: "Time After Time"
My Name Is EarlThe Governor / The Warden's Wife / Katherine Hazelwood3 episodes
Ghost WhispererClaire TaylorEpisode: "Holiday Spirit"
2008Saving GraceJanice ShapiroEpisode: "A Survivor Lives Here"
Criminal MindsDr. Jan MohikianEpisode: "Memoriam"
2009The Magic 7Sean's Mom (voice)Television film
2010Happy TownAlice ConroyEpisode: "Blame It on Rio Bravo"
Ellen PowellEpisode: "Sylmar"
Detroit 1-8-7Marni EckhartEpisode: "Home Invasion/Drive-By"
2011The OfficeEllen BernardEpisode: "Garden Party"
2012Switched at BirthLorena McGowen2 episodes
Warehouse 13Ellen PowellEpisode: "Personal Effects"
2014GrimmAlice3 episodes
2015General HospitalPatricia Spencer3 episodes
The WhispersWillie Starling4 episodes
2015–2019Just Add MagicGrandma Becky Quinn47 episodes
2016SupernaturalMildred BakerEpisode: "Into the Mystic"
2017You're the WorstGailEpisode: "It's Been"
2018NCISClaire HallEpisode: "Fragments"
ShooterKatherine MayfieldEpisode: "Swing Vote"
2019Christmas in LouisianaDorothy WinterTelevision film
2020World's Funniest AnimalsGuestEpisode: "102"
2021–20249-1-1Margaret Buckley6 episodes
2021MERhonda Karlsson3 episodes
2023Paul T. GoldmanTerri JayEpisode: "Royce"
Fatal AttractionEmma Rauch3 episodes

Notes and References

  1. News: Famous birthdays for Dec. 14: Offset, Stan Smith. December 14, 2022. United Press International. live. https://archive.today/20231105205513/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/12/14/Famous-birthdays-for-Dec-14-Offset-Stan-Smith/6841670995403/. November 5, 2023.
  2. News: Dee Wallace Talks Horror -- Exclusive Video Interview. dreadcentral.com.
  3. http://www.deewallacestone.com/about.html Dee Wallace fansite
  4. Web site: Surrounded by Lionesses. The Flashback Files. Schokkend Nieuws. January 2020. https://archive.today/20231105204834/https://www.flashbackfiles.com/dee-wallace-interview. November 5, 2023.
  5. Web site: Principal Pays It Forward To Wyandotte High School Teacher. Quinn. Kathy. Fox 4. November 11, 2023. March 15, 2022.
  6. Web site: 20 years later, Dee Wallace Stone's "E.T." performance still charms. kuconnection.org. February 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150221111238/http://www.kuconnection.org/archive/2002/04/people_DeeWallace.asp. February 21, 2015. dead.
  7. Web site: Dee Wallace battling more critters. Tinseltown Talks Nick. Thomas. The Lewiston Tribune.
  8. Web site: 'The Office': Stephen Collins, Dee Wallace to guest as.... Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. February 27, 2015.
  9. News: SOD. EXCLUSIVE: GENERAL HOSPITAL CASTS PAT!. March 6, 2015. Soap Opera Digest. American Media. soapoperadigest.com. March 6, 2015. United States.
  10. Web site: Jerry Saravia on cinema and pop culture . jerrysaravia.blogspot.com. February 27, 2015.
  11. Web site: I AM Dee Wallace. February 27, 2015.
  12. Web site: Bright Light: Spiritual Lessons from a Life in Acting by Dee Wallace. www.goodreads.com. 26 December 2020.
  13. Web site: YouTube Tedx Talk . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/a8LXHwajMmE. 2021-12-12 . live. . January 28, 2019.
  14. Web site: 'Critters Attack!' Actress Dee Wallace Reveals Why She Returned to the Franchise. June 29, 2019. Movieweb.
  15. Web site: Watch the Quarantine Horror Short 'Stay Home' Starring Kane Hodder, Danielle Harris and More Horror Icons!. Bloody Disgusting. Squires. John. October 9, 2020. October 9, 2020.
  16. Web site: Gallery: New Vacation Horror 'Stream' Coming Soon From the Producers of 'Terrifier 2'. Millican. Josh. September 3, 2021. Dread Central. September 14, 2021.
  17. Web site: From the Team Behind 'Terrifier 2' Comes Horror Movie 'Stream' Starring Danielle Harris and Jeffrey Combs!. Squires. John. September 10, 2021. Bloody Disgusting. September 14, 2021.
  18. Web site: Exclusive Interview: Director Michael Leavy on His All-Horror-Star Movie "Stream". Gingold. Michael. September 14, 2021. Rue Morgue. September 14, 2021.
  19. Web site: Korngut . Joshua . 'The Munsters': Horror Icon Dee Wallace Joins The Cast Of Rob Zombie's Reboot! . Dread Central . April 12, 2022 . 12 April 2022.
  20. Web site: 'Stream' – Guitarist Paul Wiley to Score New Horror Movie from the Producers of 'Terrifier'! [Exclusive]]. Bloody Disgusting. Brad. Miska. December 5, 2022. April 2, 2023.