Patricia Tallman
Tallman in 2013
Born
Patricia J. Tallman

(1957-09-04) September 4, 1957 (age 66)
Pontiac, Illinois, U.S.
Other names
  • Pat J. Tallman
  • Pat Tallman
EducationCarnegie Mellon University (BFA)
Occupations
Years active1980–present
Known forBabylon 5
Night of the Living Dead
Generations
Spouse
Jeffrey Willerth
​
​
(m. 1999; div. 2008)​
PartnerJ. Michael Straczynski (2002–2013)
Children1

Patricia J. Tallman (born September 4, 1957) is an American actress, stunt performer, and studio executive best known for her roles in Night of the Living Dead, Star Trek and Babylon 5. She is the former CEO and executive producer of Studio JMS.

Early life and education

Patricia Tallman is the daughter of Jerry Tallman, a radio entertainer.[1] After graduating from Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois in 1975,[2] she joined the theater arts program of Carnegie Mellon University, which awarded her a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.[3]: 19 [4]

Career

In television, Tallman worked on the soap opera Generations. Later, she had guest-starring roles on Tales from the Darkside, as well as the science-fiction shows Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager. As an actress and stunt performer, she worked on 50 episodes across the Star Trek franchise. Tallman played Lyta Alexander in the Babylon 5 series pilot, recurring in seasons two and three, and starring in seasons four and five.[5] Tallman collaborated with fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus George A. Romero on several films, including Knightriders, Monkey Shines, and Creepshow 2 (in which Tallman performed stunts).[6]

In 1990, Tallman starred as Barbara in the Tom Savini-directed remake of the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead.[7][4] In 1992, she played the Possessed Witch under heavy make-up in the cult classic Army of Darkness, as well as the Witch in the modern day scenes.[citation needed]

In 1993, Tallman's most notable stunt work came as stunt double for Laura Dern throughout Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park. In addition, she served as stunt double for Laurel Holloman, who portrayed vampire hunter Justine Cooper in the series Angel, a photo of Tallman was also used as the photo of Justine Cooper's dead twin sister.[3] In a 2001 episode of the TV series Sheena, she guest-starred as the villain Caroline Dula.

Tallman appeared in the 2002 psychological horror short, Jennifer Is Dead, the black comedy For Pete's Wake!, and guest spots on Without a Trace and Castle. Tallman appeared in InAlienable (2008) and the horror film Dead Air (2009). Tallman played Holly in Atlas Shrugged: Part II (2012).

Tallman has performed voice roles including playing the leading part of evil detective Jean Richmond in the Radio Repertory Company of America's production of Lives of the Cat and in some of the Anne Manx sequels (sold as radio plays on CD).[8]

In 2011, Tallman published her autobiography Pleasure Thresholds, the title inspired by the scene she auditioned to earn the role of Lyta Alexander.[3]

In 2012, Tallman became CEO and executive producer of Studio JMS in partnership with her then-boyfriend, J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5.[9] In 2013, she left the company.[10]

In May 2014, Tallman played the male role of Lespere in a theatrical production of Ray Bradbury's Kaleidoscope at Sci-Fest LA 2014, a theater festival.[11] The following year Tallman played the wife in a comedy called A Logic Called Joe at the second Sci-Fest LA.[12]

In 2016, Tallman started Quest Retreats, a VIP adventure excursion company with annual events in Hawaii, London, New Zealand, and South Africa.[13]

Personal life

Tallman met Andrea Rogantini when he was the executive chef at Prego Ristorante in Los Angeles.[14] Rogantini is the father of her only child, a son named Julian Tallman.[3]: 246  Tallman later met Jeffrey Willerth when she was acting on Babylon 5 (1993–1998), where he was an associate producer. They were married in 1999, separated several years later and divorced in 2008.[3]: 250 

Tallman met J. Michael Straczynski (JMS) when she was acting on Babylon 5, a series which he created. The two entered into a relationship some time after Straczynski separated from his wife, Kathryn M. Drennan, in 2002.[15][16] They separated in 2013.[17][10]

Tallman is a leading fund-raiser for Penny Lane, a center for abused children in California.[3]: 255  As of 2017, she has been leading their annual “Be a Santa Toy Drive” for more than 20 years.[18]

Selected filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Knightriders Julie
1982 Stuck on You! Queen Guenevere
1988 Tales from the Darkside Janice Perry Episode: "Family Reunion"
Monkey Shines Party Guest
1989 Generations Christy Russell 12 episodes
Road House Bandstand Babe
Hard Time on Planet Earth Frances
1990 Night of the Living Dead Barbara
The Flash Kidnapper
1992 Army of Darkness Possessed Witch
Der Ring der Musketiere Woman Imposter TV film
Sweet Justice Josie
1993 Babylon 5: The Gathering Lyta Alexander TV film
Benefit of the Doubt Karen's Mother
Jurassic Park Laura Dern's Stunt Double
1992–93 Star Trek: The Next Generation Alien #2 / Kiros / Security Officer 3 episodes (uncredited stunt work)
1993–1996 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Nurse Tagana / Weapons Officer / Nima 3 episodes (uncredited stunt work)
1994 Clifford Flight Attendant on Rolling Cart
1993–1998 Babylon 5 Lyta Alexander 47 episodes
1996–97 Star Trek: Voyager Taresian Woman / Operations Division Officer 2 episodes (uncredited stunt work)
1998 Babylon 5: Thirdspace Lyta Alexander TV film
2001 Sheena Caroline Dula Episode: "The Darkness"
2004–2007 Without a Trace Linda / Latte Woman / Off-Duty Police Officer 3 episodes (uncredited)
2007 For Pete's Wake! Alisa Fox
2008 InAlienable Dr. Klein
2009 Dead Air Lucy
2010 Castle Vivian Marchand (uncredited) Episode: "He's Dead, She's Dead"
2012 Atlas Shrugged: Part II Holly
2014 Criminal Minds Captain Margot Nolan Episode: "A Thousand Suns"
2017 Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose Rose Jensen
2023 Babylon 5: The Road Home Lyta Alexander Voice; Direct-to-Video[19]

References

  1. ^ "Patricia Tallman Biography (1957-)". www.filmreference.com. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  2. ^ "1975 Glenbard West High School". classmates.com. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Tallman, Patricia (2011). Pleasure Thresholds. Publishing 180. ISBN 978-0-9821005-2-3.
  4. ^ a b Arar, Yardena (October 24, 1990). "Tallman Tumbles into Big-Time Role – 'Living Dead' Actress Dislikes Horror Pictures". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L21. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  5. ^ Pierce, Scott D. (October 25, 1990). "'Babylon 5' full of surprises". Deseret News. p. S3. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  6. ^ Mennenga, Michael R. (July 28, 2005). "Slice of SciFi #17: Interview with Patricia Tallman". www.sliceofscifi.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  7. ^ "TRINITY OF TERRORS Updates & More!". Fangoria. October 21, 2009. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Radio Repertory Company of America". www.rrca.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  9. ^ Dave, McNary (February 1, 2013). "Motion Picture Capital backs 'Flickering Light'". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  10. ^ a b "The Team". studiojms.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  11. ^ Sutton, Angie Fiedler (May 8, 2014). "Science Fiction … Theatre?: Sci-Fest Launches With a Bang". scifi4me.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  12. ^ Boiselle, Matt (May 11, 2015). "Patricia Tallman Talks Returning to the Stage for Sci-Fest L.A." Dread Central. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  13. ^ "About Pat". www.questretreats.com. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  14. ^ Perry, Charles (August 8, 1993). "THE PREGO PATTERN : Nearly 10 Years Old, This Beverly Hills Ristorante Is Still la Epitome di Una Trattoria". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  15. ^ Straczynski, J. Michael (December 8, 2013). "Hang with JMS: "Before I get into any of this..." Facebook. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  16. ^ Straczynski, J. Michael (January 1, 2014). "Interesting JMS Facebook Posts & Tweets". JMSNews. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  17. ^ McNary, Dave (February 1, 2013). "Motion Picture Capital backs 'Flickering Light'". Variety. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  18. ^ "Pat's holiday effort for the children of Penny Lane". beasanta.org. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  19. ^ "'Babylon 5: The Road Home' Voice Cast Unveiled (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. May 10, 2023.

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