Priscilla Barnes
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Priscilla Barnes (born ) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Terri Alden in the ABC sitcom'' Three's Company'' between 1981 and 1984. Barnes also has appeared in films, including '' A Vacation in Hell'' (1979), ''
Licence to Kill ''Licence to Kill'' is a 1989 spy film, the sixteenth in the List of James Bond films, ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions, and the second and final film to star Timothy Dalton as the MI6 agent James Bond (literary character), J ...
'' (1989), '' Stepfather III'' (1992), '' The Crossing Guard'' (1995), '' Mallrats'' (1995), '' The Devil's Rejects'' (2005) and '' The Visitation'' (2006). From 2014 to 2019, Barnes played Magda Andel in the CW comedy-drama series '' Jane the Virgin''.


Early life

Barnes was born in
Fort Dix, New Jersey Fort Dix, the common name for the Army Support Activity (ASA) located at Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, is a United States Army post. It is located south-southeast of Trenton, New Jersey. Fort Dix is under the jurisdiction of the Air For ...
, the third of four children of a father who was a
major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...
in the
United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...
and a mother who was a
homemaker Homemaking is mainly an American English, American and Canadian English, Canadian term for the management of a home, otherwise known as housework, housekeeping, housewifery or household management. It is the act of overseeing the organizational ...
. Her childhood was marked by a series of moves across military bases throughout the country before her family settled in
Lancaster, California Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, in the Antelope Valley of the western Mojave Desert in Southern California, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the popul ...
. After graduating from Antelope Valley High School at age 17, Barnes relocated to
San Diego San Diego ( , ) is a city on the Pacific coast of Southern California, adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a population of over 1.4 million, it is the List of United States cities by population, eighth-most populous city in t ...
, working as a waitress and a dancer.


Career


Early career

Barnes' first break came when
Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was an American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer with a career that spanned nearly 80 years and achievements in vaudeville, network radio, television, and USO Tours. He appeared ...
saw her in a local fashion show and invited her to join his troupe for a 1973 performance at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), officially known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951, was the United States Army, U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. Located on in Washington, D.C., it served more ...
in
Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...
She subsequently moved to
Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
to pursue a career in showbusiness. She appeared as an
Amazon Amazon most often refers to: * Amazon River, in South America * Amazon rainforest, a rainforest covering most of the Amazon basin * Amazon (company), an American multinational technology company * Amazons, a tribe of female warriors in Greek myth ...
in '' The New Original Wonder Woman'' alongside Lynda Carter as the title character. Her second break came at 19 when she met
Peter Falk Peter Michael Falk (September 16, 1927 – June 23, 2011) was an American film and television actor. He is best known for his role as Columbo (character), Lieutenant Columbo on the NBC/American Broadcasting Company, ABC series ''Columbo'' (196 ...
, who offered her a one-line part in an episode of ''
Columbo ''Columbo'' is an American crime drama television series starring Peter Falk as Columbo (character), Lieutenant Columbo, a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. After two pilot episodes in 1968 and 1971, the show originall ...
''. This led to a series of bit parts in films such as ''
The Seniors ''The Seniors'' (sometimes ''The Senior'' or simply ''Seniors'') is a 1978 American comedy film about four college seniors who open a bogus sex clinic, which unexpectedly mushrooms into a multimillion-dollar business. Directed by Rod Amateau, ...
'' (1978) and ''Delta Fox'' (1979). While working as a hostess at a Hollywood nightclub, Barnes posed nude for the "Pet of the Month" photo layout in the March 1976 issue of '' Penthouse'' magazine under the pseudonym Joann Witty. ''Penthouse'' later wanted to republish the photos under Barnes' real name in 1982 after she had become famous for ''Three's Company''. The issue was argued in court, as ''Penthouse'' wanted a judge to rule on the legality of publishing the pictures using Barnes' real name. The case involved a handwritten addendum to the standard model release contract that all models sign. When ''Penthouse'' lost the initial case, it appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appellate court mostly sided with Barnes and ruled that the handwritten addendum was legally binding, precluding ''Penthouse'' from republishing the photos using Barnes' real name. In 1976, Barnes began studying acting with coach Sal Dano, whose students included Tom Selleck,
Robert Hays Robert Blakely Hays (born July 24, 1947) is an American actor, known for a variety of television and film roles since the 1970s. He came to prominence around 1980, co-starring in the two-season domestic sitcom ''Angie (TV series), Angie'', and ...
and Catherine Bach. In 1978, she played a leading role in the CBS action series '' The American Girls'', which was canceled after seven weeks. Subsequent parts included the horror film '' Tintorera'' and television series such as ''
Starsky & Hutch ''Starsky & Hutch'' is an American action television series, which consisted of a 72-minute pilot movie (originally aired as a '' Movie of the Week'' entry) and 92 episodes of 50 minutes each. The show was created by William Blinn (inspired ...
'', ''
Vega$ ''Vegas'' (stylized as ''Vega$'') is an American crime drama television series starring Robert Urich that aired on ABC from September 20, 1978, to June 3, 1981, with the pilot episode airing April 25, 1978. ''Vegas'' was produced by Aaron Spel ...
'', ''
Kojak ''Kojak'' is an American Action film, action Crime film, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series starring Telly Savalas as the title character, New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant Theophilus "Theo" Kojak. Tak ...
'', ''
The Rockford Files ''The Rockford Files'' is an American detective drama television series starring James Garner, aired on NBC from September 13, 1974, to January 10, 1980. Garner portrays Los Angeles private investigator Jim Rockford, with Noah Beery Jr. in th ...
'' and ''
The Love Boat ''The Love Boat'' is an American romantic comedy-drama television series created by Wilford Lloyd Baumes that originally aired on ABC from September 24, 1977, to May 24, 1986. In addition, three TV movies aired before the regular series pre ...
'', as well as the 1978 TV version of ''
The Time Machine ''The Time Machine'' is an 1895 dystopian post-apocalyptic science fiction novella by H. G. Wells about a Victorian scientist known as the Time Traveller who travels to the year 802,701. The work is generally credited with the popularizati ...
'' and the 1979 television film '' A Vacation in Hell''. In 1980, Barnes landed a supporting role in the romantic comedy film ''
Sunday Lovers ''Sunday Lovers'' is a 1980 internationally co-produced romantic comedy film directed by Bryan Forbes, Gene Wilder, Dino Risi and Édouard Molinaro. It stars Roger Moore, Gene Wilder, Priscilla Barnes, Lynn Redgrave, Denholm Elliott and Kathl ...
''.


''Three's Company''

In 1981, Barnes was cast as Terri Alden on the ABC sitcom '' Three's Company'' after
Jenilee Harrison Jenilee Harrison (born June 12, 1958) is a retired American actress who appeared as Cindy Snow, a cousin of and replacement for blonde roommate Chrissy Snow on the hit sitcom '' Three's Company'', between 1980 and 1982. She went on to play Jam ...
served as interim replacement to
Suzanne Somers Suzanne Marie Somers (; October 16, 1946 – October 15, 2023) was an American actress, author, and businesswoman. She played the television roles of Chrissy Snow on ''Three's Company'' (1977–1981) and Carol Foster Lambert on '' Step by Step' ...
, who had left the series as a result of contractual dispute with producers. The part, which is Barnes' most notable role, brought her instant public recognition. Barnes initially auditioned for the role of Chrissy Snow in 1976 but lost the part to Somers. She stayed with the show through the series finale in 1984, appearing in a total of 70 episodes. In the 1998 TV program ''
E! True Hollywood Story ''E! True Hollywood Story'' is an American television documentary series on E!. Overview ''E! True Hollywood Story'' originally started as a series of specials beginning on March 29, 1996, but evolved into a weekly biographical documentary ...
'', Barnes called ''Three's Company'' the "three worst years" of her life. She revealed that after shooting the first few episodes, she felt "uncomfortable" on the set, mostly because of tension among the cast members, and unsuccessfully petitioned the producers to release her from her contract. Barnes has retained her friendship with costars
Joyce DeWitt Joyce DeWitt (born April 23, 1949) is an American actress best known for playing Janet Wood on the American Broadcasting Company, ABC sitcom ''Three's Company'' from 1977 to 1984. Early life Joyce DeWitt was born on April 23, 1949, in Wheeling, ...
and
Richard Kline Richard Kline (born April 29, 1944) is an American actor and television director. His roles include Larry Dallas on the sitcom ''Three's Company'', Richie in the later seasons of ''It's a Living'' and Jeff Beznick in '' Noah Knows Best''. Ear ...
, with whom she has made public appearances. Barnes was portrayed by actress Anne Ross in the 2003 television movie '' Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Three's Company''.


Later career

In 1982, Barnes starred in the
Aaron Spelling Aaron Spelling (April 22, 1923June 23, 2006) was an American film and television producer and occasional actor. His productions included the television series ''Family'' (1976–1980), ''Charlie's Angels'' (1976–1981), ''The Love Boat'' (1977†...
made-for-television film ''
The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch ''The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch'' is a 1982 American made-for-television Western romantic comedy film directed by Philip Leacock and starring Priscilla Barnes, Lee Horsley, Joan Collins, Donny Osmond, Morgan Brittany, and Lisa Whelchel. ...
''. After ''Three's Company'' was canceled by
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...
in 1984, Barnes accepted guest-starring roles on television shows such as ''
Hotel A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. Facilities provided inside a hotel room may range from a modest-quality mattress in a small room to large suites with bigger, higher-quality beds, a dresser, a re ...
'', ''
Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The series f ...
'' and ''
Highway to Heaven ''Highway to Heaven'' is an American fantasy drama television series that ran on NBC from September 19, 1984, to August 4, 1989. The series starred its creator and co-director Michael Landon as Jonathan Smith, an angel sent to Earth to help peo ...
''. In 1987, she starred in the pilot for the sitcom ''
She's the Sheriff ''She's the Sheriff'' is an American television sitcom that aired in Broadcast syndication, first-run syndication from September 19, 1987, to April 1, 1989. Produced by Lorimar Television, the series marked the return of Suzanne Somers to telev ...
'', playing the title role. Barnes later left the project and was replaced by Suzanne Somers. The following year, Barnes returned in a starring role in the action comedy ''
Traxx Alstom Traxx (sold as Bombardier TRAXX before 2021) is a modular product platform of mainline diesel-electric and electric locomotives. It was produced originally by Bombardier Transportation and later Alstom, and was built in both freight an ...
'' opposite
Shadoe Stevens Shadoe Stevens (born Terry Ingstad; November 3, 1946) is an American radio host, voiceover actor, and television personality. He was the host of ''American Top 40'' from 1988 to 1995. He currently hosts the internationally syndicated radio sho ...
. In 1989, Barnes appeared in the
James Bond The ''James Bond'' franchise focuses on James Bond (literary character), the titular character, a fictional Secret Intelligence Service, British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels ...
film ''
Licence to Kill ''Licence to Kill'' is a 1989 spy film, the sixteenth in the List of James Bond films, ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions, and the second and final film to star Timothy Dalton as the MI6 agent James Bond (literary character), J ...
'' as Della Churchill and in the underwater sci-fi/action thriller ''
Lords of the Deep ''Lords of the Deep'' is a 1989 American science-fiction horror film co-produced by Roger Corman and starring Bradford Dillman and Priscilla Barnes, about an underwater colony being attacked by alien life forms. It was one of several underwate ...
''. In 1992, she starred in the NBC television movie '' Perry Mason and the Case of the Reckless Romeo'' with
Raymond Burr Raymond William Stacy Burr (May 21, 1917September 12, 1993) was a Canadian actor who had a lengthy Hollywood film career and portrayed the title roles in the television dramas '' Perry Mason'' and '' Ironside''. Burr's early acting career inclu ...
and in the horror film '' Stepfather III''. In 1995, she appeared in the cult comedy film '' Mallrats'' and in '' The Crossing Guard'' with
Jack Nicholson John Joseph Nicholson (born April 22, 1937) is an American retired actor and filmmaker. Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, often playing rebels fighting against the social structure. Over his five-de ...
. Barnes made a cameo appearance in the 1999 comedy-drama film '' Mumford'' and appeared in many other smaller independent and made-for-television movies during 1990s and 2000s. She appeared in the 2005 horror film '' The Devil's Rejects'', directed by
Rob Zombie Robert Bartleh Cummings (born January 12, 1965), known professionally as Rob Zombie, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, filmmaker, and actor. His music and lyrics are notable for their horror and sci-fi themes, and his live show ...
. and the films ''
Thr3e Ted Dekker (born October 24, 1962) (stylized as TED DEKkER) is an American author of Christian novel, Christian Mystery fiction, mystery, Thriller (genre), thriller, and fantasy novels including ''Thr3e'', ''Obsessed (novel), Obsessed'', and th ...
'' (2006), '' The Visitation'' (2006) and ''
American Cowslip ''American Cowslip'' is a 2009 independent American comedy feature film directed by Mark David. It revolves around heroin addict, Ethan Inglebrink, whose life is centered on his garden and his group of eccentric friends. ''American Cowslip'' is ...
'' (2009). In 2012, she costarred as Vicey Hatfield in ''Hatfields and McCoys: Bad Blood''. In 2013, she appeared in ''Disaster Wars: Earthquake vs Tsunami''. In 2007, Barnes appeared at the annual
New York International Fringe Festival The New York International Fringe Festival, or FringeNYC, was a fringe theater festival and one of the largest multi-arts events in North America. It took place over the course of a few weeks in October, spread on more than 20 stages across se ...
as
Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton ( Rodham; born October 26, 1947) is an American politician, lawyer and diplomat. She was the 67th United States secretary of state in the administration of Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, a U.S. senator represent ...
in Nick Salamone's play ''Hillary Agonistes''. In 2014, Barnes was cast in a recurring role as Magda Andel, the mother of Petra (played by
Yael Grobglas Yael Grobglas (, ; born ) is an Israeli actress, best known for her role as Petra Solano on The CW's television series ''Jane the Virgin''. She started her career in Israeli television, gaining prominence among Israeli teenagers. She gained re ...
), in the CW comedy-drama series '' Jane the Virgin''. The series ended in 2019 after five seasons. Barnes appeared in a total of 41 episodes. In 2019, Barnes appeared in the Bloomington Playwrights Project's production of Christy Hall's ''To Quiet the Quiet''.Dorfman, Peter (April 30, 2019)
"Priscilla Barnes: Star of TV and Film Performing in B-town"
''
Bloom Magazine ''Bloom Magazine'' is a bimonthly culture and lifestyle magazine published in Bloomington, Indiana Bloomington is a city in Monroe County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. The population was 79,168 at the 2020 United States census ...
''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.


Personal life

Barnes married actor Ted Monte.Beale, Lauren (April 5, 2012)
"Actress Priscilla Barnes buys Glendale home in gated compound for $689,000"
''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.


Filmography


Film


Television


References


External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Barnes, Priscilla 1954 births Actresses from California Age controversies American film actresses American stage actresses American television actresses Living people People from Lancaster, California 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses Antelope Valley High School alumni People from Fort Dix Actors from Burlington County, New Jersey Actresses from New Jersey