'Tanya Roberts' (qv) came from modest beginnings in the Bronx, the
daughter of a pen salesman (Irish) and a Jewish mother (who were
divorced before she reached high school). She dropped out of high
school at age 15, got married, and hitchhiked around the country
until her husband's mother had the marriage annulled. She met
psychology student, Barry Roberts, in a New York movie line. A few
months later she proposed to him in a subway station, and they were
married. She studied acting under 'Lee Strasberg' (qv) and 'Uta
Hagen' (qv). In her early years in New York she supported herself
as an 'Arthur Murray' (qv) dance instructor and then modeling. She
appeared in off-Broadway productions of _Picnic_ and _Antigone_ and
in television commercials for Ultra Brite, Clairol, and Cool Ray
sunglasses. In 1977 Tanya and her husband (who took up
scriptwriting) moved to Hollywood. She began appearing in TV pilots
such as _Pleasure Cove (1979) (TV)_ (qv), _Zuma Beach (1978) (TV)_
(qv) and 0081735. Her first film appearance is evidently _Forced
Entry (1975)_ (qv) [made in 1975]. After roles in several minor
films, her first big break came when she was selected as an angel
(the last) for _Charlie's Angels (1976) (TV)_ (qv) in the final
season. She was featured on the cover of _People_ magazine
(2/9/81). The attention at this time helped secure her most
significant film parts - _Beastmaster, The (1982)_ (qv), 0088103
[the lead role], and _View to a Kill, A (1985)_ (qv). Tanya was
featured on the cover and inside of the Oct. 1982 issue of
_Playboy_ to promote _Beastmaster, The (1982)_ (qv). Tanya
continues to appear in films, which primarily go directly to video
and cable release. Most recently she is featured in the CD computer
game _The Pandora Directive_ (1996).
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– As part of her deal to star in INNER SANCTUM (1991), she choreographed her own sex scenes. One of the scenes she directed with Brett Clark was too graphic even for the unrated version and had to be cut.
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– Got the role in A VIEW TO KILL (1985) after Broccoli saw her in THE BEASTMASTER (1982).
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– Was nominated Razzie Award for Worst Actress in 1986 for A VIEW TO KILL and for SHEENA in 1985 for the same category.
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– Took 5 years of voice training to get the Bronx out of her voice.
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– Tanya's sister, Barbara, was married to Timothy Leary for 15 years.
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– Featured in the 1996 CD-ROM game The Pandora Detective.
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– At 15, Roberts married and hitchhiked around the U.S. until her mother-in-law had the marriage annulled.
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