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Where exactly is Kristy Swanson?

The actress today

By TealPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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Courtesy of Instagram

For those 90’s Babies, Halle Berry to Freddie Prinze Jr. were all the buzz and one household name you remember and are curious about when you hear it is Kristy Swanson the action bombshell who proved brunette or blonde she will steal a scene with her attitude in most of her characters. Although in later years she has become a hidden gem for new fans to find and before we get there let’s go over her Hollywood journey.

Still of Flowers in the Attic 1987

Early Leap To Fame

Although modeling and commercial work got her started in show biz, it was her work on the early Disney television special such as Mr Boogedy that helped place her in good connections not to mention her comedic cameos in the memorable John Hughes teen flicks Pretty in Pink & Ferris Buellers Day Off. But it wasn’t until she landed the lead role in the film adaptation of the controversial gothic/horror drama of the V.C. Andrew’s Flowers in the Attic. A story of loss, greed, betrayal and forbidden love. The film however went through screen test and in order to secure a pg-13 rating which was new at the time several scene were cut and three ending were shot upsetting both the stars and director as the film frayed further from the original visual and did not live up to novels fans expectations or the critics however both Kristy and Oscar winning actress Louise Fletcher revived praise for their roles each earning award nominations as well as Kristy obtaining a youth in film award. This not only shot her further in her film career but showed her serious and dramatic side for future work that lied ahead.

Still of Highway to Hell 1991

Blockbusters, B-Movies and Press

By the 1990’s Kristy had successful box office hits with The Program alongside the late James Caan, Big Daddy with Adam Sandler and FOX’s The Chase. Oddly she also did some B Films that were and still are hide to believe such as Tinseltown, Dream Trap and Ground Control. We are aware she balanced out her projects she did prove she signed on as long as the script interested her. By this time the press did come hounding with rumored romances between her and her former costars such as Omar Epps, Charlie Sheen and Michael Madsen according to celebriot.com, however none of this was confirmed but Kristy was not shy from the press but appreciated her privacy to be respected as she was a working actress.

Movie poster

Icon Status, Scream Queen, and Sex Symbol

By 1992, Kristy brought to life one of the most iconic teenage heroine in the film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, in which she played the title role created by Joss Whedon who has lately been in heap over his treatment to actors and ruining the Justice League. During the filming he was restricted on creative control to give the horror/comedy a lighter touch. The film was a success earning a chainsaw award nomination for Kristy and showed her costar Luke Perry’s range as well as introduce Donald Sutherland to a teen audience. Unfortunately Joss Whedon took a turn for the unexpected television of Buffy just five years later replacing Kristy with Sarah Michelle Gellar a rising scream queen leaving her soap opera succes for the slapstick melodrama that would become the “T.V.’s Buffy” as true fans to original refer to it. Although Kristy has only positive things to say to het counterpart most fans are grateful that the show is no longer on and the spin-off Angel received more attention. Moving forward Kristy almost became a scream queen something she did not want to dable in as slasher roles were making a comback to push others careers, Kristy had already played in The Wes Craven Cult Classic Deadly Friends and early Ben Stiller black comedy Highway to Hell. It was rumored on IMDB that Wes Craven suggested to cast her as Casey on the now franchise Scream as well as give her a supporting role in New Nightmare all which never came to light as Wes was nervous to bring back Johnny Depp for the feature who knows what would have been the turn out. As she made her way through projects fans ultimately saw her becoming somewhat sexualized for seductive roles, taking charge of her sex symbol status Kristy posed for Playboy and made an appearance on Howard Stern.

On Behalf of Instagram

Movie Decline, Speaking Up, and Fallout

By the 2000’s Kristy had counted her blessings with successes in Television Films and shows but major blockbusters were not going well due to behind the scene issues. She did managed to play the iconic candy girl in the stiner Cult classic Dude Where’s My Car. But kept a low profile until she started to defend Hollywood actors who had conservative views, this did not play well into her personal life after she married her skating partner Lloyd Eisler who was at the time legally separated from his then wife, Kristy did defend her relationship as well as her religious views and was given the support of her friends and family, sadly she was in a heavy liberal environment and that made her keep her focus on her family before work as she became a stepmother and wife to Eisler and his children and even welcomed her own son Magnus into the world.

On Behalf of Instagram

New Journey, Advocacy and the Future

What If.. a 2010 faith based film by the Pure Flix network became Kristy’s last theatrical appearance as she became more selective on her roles wanting to take on wholesome projects and movies that made going work worth it, not only did she become Hallmark royalty with the 2011 A Christmas Wish and 2013’s Operation Cupcake, she ventured back to her sci-fi roots with Swamp Shark on SyFy and upcoming Noseferatu reboot. Not only does she stand for our troops, world wide charitible causes and defense against COVID-19 she also takes the time to get in touch with her fans going to comic con and doing video conferences. Sadly as many hoped for a Buffy sequel the late Luke Perry and controversial Joss Whedon it doesn’t seem likely and although she has made a return to prime time network by rejoining Psych for their sequel film and CBS’ SEAL Team she is still being selective on her next roles and putting faith, family and friends first.

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Teal

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