Rebecca Holden
Rebecca Holden (born June 12, 1958) is an American actress and singer.
Rebecca Holden | |
|---|---|
 Rebecca Holden in 2009 | |
| Born | June 12, 1958 |
| Alma mater | Juilliard School |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1980-present |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Website | www |
Career
While continuing voice studies in New York City, Holden became a model best known as "the Breck Girl".[1] She went on to model on magazine covers and to film national commercials such as for Ivory Soap, Dentyne, Kellogg's, Chevrolet, Gillette, Playtex, Arrid, and 7 Up.[2]
Holden guest-starred on primetime shows such as The Love Boat, Magnum, P.I., Matt Houston, Three's Company, Taxi, Night Court, Mike Hammer, Remington Steele, Matt Houston, Barney Miller, Mike Hammer, Quincy, TJ Hooker, Police Squad and others.[2] She then joined the cast of the TV series Knight Rider in the series regular role of April Curtis during the show's second season (1983–1984).[3] Knight Rider has appeared in syndication in over 200 countries throughout the world.
She played the diabolical Elena on ABC's soap opera General Hospital, and later moved to Tennessee to help care for her ill sister. During this period she appeared in many stage plays and musicals such as the role of Nancy in Oliver! and Lola in Damn Yankees. Holden starred in a production of Baby, the Musical at the Boiler Room Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee [4]
In 2015, Holden starred in the feature Hollywouldn'ts, and also had a lead role in a pilot for Comedy Central.
She was co-host of the TNN dance show Dancin' at the Hot Spots in 1993. She continues to tour internationally with her music, and serves as an emcee and performer for various charitable and corporate events as well as for military and veterans affairs.
In 2009, Holden portrayed the character Beth in the movie adaptation of The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith.[5]
On May 15, 2017, filmmaker Richard Rossi announced Holden had been cast in the lead role of Sister Sara Sunday in the independent film Canaan Land.[6][7]
Music
While she was still a model, Holden formed a country music group and toured with it for two years.[1]
Classically trained as a voice major and piano minor in college, Holden has sung opera and performed the lead roles in such musicals as Oliver! and Damn Yankees. She recorded a country album for Curb records, and her music videos have appeared on TNN and CMT. She recorded both a country and gospel album for BMG Records in Switzerland, and toured in Europe and Asia, including performing for the King of Malaysia. She was the featured performer with the United States Air Force Band at a memorial for World War II veterans. During Holden's service as president of the Music City Christian Fellowship, she performed as singer and mistress of ceremonies for the Christian Country Music Awards and the Sunday gospel shows at the Grand Ole Opry.
Holden charted two singles for TRA-Star Records in 1989: "The Truth Doesn't Always Rhyme" and "License to Steal". She recorded the album The Highway Runs Both Ways for Curb Records and a self-titled album for BMG Europe.[8]
In the early 2010s, Holden and Kevin Sasaki toured in "Together Forever", a musical tribute to Eydie Gormé and Steve Lawrence.[9]
Holden's most recent CD single release is "Dreams Come True", a duet with Tony LeBron. on Silver Blue/Summit Records.
Personal life
Holden married Bobby Vassallo, her childhood sweetheart.[10] But, by 2015, she had long since divorced him and married Joel Diamond.
Public service
Holden has been active with the relief organizations Operation California, with charity work in Ethiopia, and Operation Texas, providing help to earthquake victims in Mexico City.[1]
Recognition
In 1989, Holden was recognized as both New Independent Artist and New Independent Female at the first Cash Box magazine Nashville Music Awards.[11]
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Dirty Hero | Christene Adams | Alternative title: Yogoreta eiyû |
| 1988 | The Sisterhood | Alee | Caged Woman |
| 1989 | Loverboy | Anchovy woman | |
| 1991 | Twenty Dollar Star | Lisa | |
| 1992 | The Hollywood Beach Murders | Jamie | |
| 1999 | Foolish | Rebecca the Waitress | |
| Lycanthrope | Sheila Stein | Alternative title: Bloody Moon | |
| 2001 | Knight Chills | Newscaster | Direct-to-video release |
| Outlaw Prophet | Molly | ||
| 2005 | From Venus | The Avatrix | |
| 2009 | The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith | Beth | Direct-to-video release |
| 2015 | The Hollywouldn'ts | Lead | |
| 2016 | Baskets | Co-star | |
| 2016 | All Wrong | Lead | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | B.A.D. Cats | 1 episode | |
| Three's Company | Bunny/Twinkie | 1 episode | |
| 1982 | House Calls | Jan Howard | 1 episode |
| Happy Days | Lola | 1 episode | |
| The Love Boat | Mona | 1 episode | |
| Magnum, P.I., 1981 | Laura Frasier | 1 episode | |
| Enos | 1 episode | ||
| Barney Miller, 1981 | Wendy McWilliams | 1 episode: "Paternity" | |
| Taxi | Christina Longworth | 1 episode | |
| Private Benjamin | 1 episode | ||
| Too Close for Comfort | Susan Andrews | 1 episode | |
| Quincy, M.E. | Kirsten MacKenzie | 1 episode | |
| Police Squad! | Stella | 1 episode | |
| T. J. Hooker | Lynn Hartman | 1 episode | |
| 1983 | Johnny Blue | Kathy Weatherby | Television movie |
| Matt Houston | Dr. Carol Masters Sharon Dardis |
2 episodes | |
| 1983–1984 | Knight Rider | April Curtis[3] | 21 episodes |
| 1984 | The Master | 1 episode | |
| The New Mike Hammer | Barbara Rainey | 1 episode | |
| 1986 | Night Court | Mary Korchak | 1 episode |
| Remington Steele | Windsor Thomas | 1 episode | |
| 1987 | General Hospital | Elena Cosgrove | Unknown episodes |
| 1988 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Vanessa | 1 episode |
Discography
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country[12] | ||
| 1989 | "The Truth Doesn't Always Rhyme" | 82 |
| "License to Steal" | 78 |
References
- "Another 'Knight Rider' star seeks music career". The News-Messenger. Ohio, Fremont. Gannett News Service. August 28, 1986. p. 27. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Bio". RebeccaHolden.com. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
- O'Hallaren, Bill (January 4, 1986). "Boy, Has She Got Car Troubles". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- Shaw, Peggy (February 1, 2002). "From the small screen to the small stage". The Tennessean. Tennessee, Nashville. p. W – 1. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Book of Ruth". Rebecca Holden.com.
- Nolasco, Stephanie (November 2, 2019). "'Knight Rider' star Rebecca Holden recalls on-screen chemistry with David Hasselhoff, why she left series". Fox Corporation. Fox News. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- Rutherford, Tony (May 16, 2017). "Knight Rider Star Rebecca Holden Lands Canaan Land Lead" (Press release). Christian Newswire. Retrieved May 16, 2017 – via HuntingtonNews.net.
- Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 191. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- "Today". The Star-Democrat. Maryland, Easton. June 10, 2011. p. 3. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- Hilton, Pat (May 17, 1984). "Striking Rebecca Holden oozes Hollywood glamour". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Wisconsin, Green Bay. Gannett News Service. p. I-2. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- Oermann, Robert K. (December 7, 1989). "Alabama wins big at 'Cash Box' awards". The Tennessean. Tennessee, Nashville. p. 5–D. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- Whitburn, Joel (2012). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
