Andra Akers
Andra Akers (September 16, 1943 – March 20, 2002) was an American actress and philanthropist. A character actress, she appeared in films, theater and television, usually in tough or brassy roles.
Andra Akers | |
---|---|
Born | September 16, 1943 |
Died | March 20, 2002 (aged 58) |
Occupation | Actress, philanthropist |
Relatives | Anthony B. Akers (father) John Russell Pope (grandfather) Ellery Akers (sister) William Ellery |
Early life and education
Akers was born in New York City. Her father Anthony B. Akers was a veteran World War II naval officer and attorney who became the United States ambassador to New Zealand under the Kennedy administration; her mother Jane Pope was the daughter of the architect John Russell Pope. She was descended from William Ellery.[1] Her sister, Ellery Akers, is a poet and naturalist based in Northern California.[2]
Career
During her time in New Zealand she attended Victoria University of Wellington and appeared in a 1962 production of Chekhov's The Seagull.[3] She continued her studies at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York, majoring in theater and political science.
She made her film debut in Brian de Palma's Murder a la Mod in 1968.[4] Her acting career spanned the 1960s through to the mid 1980s, during which time she made several guest appearances in popular television series. In 1986 she retired from acting to found Synergy International, later renamed the Essence Institute, an interdisciplinary think tank involving video and electronic artists, mathematicians, computer scientists and others.
Death
She died in Los Angeles in 2002 following complications from surgery.[5]
Filmography
- Films
- Murder a la Mod (1968)
- The Wedding Party (1969)
- Moment by Moment (1978)
- E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind (1984)
- Desert Hearts (1985)
- Copacabana (1985) (TV)
- Just Between Friends (1986)
- Killer in the Mirror (1986) (TV)
- Odd Jobs (1986)
- Nothing in Common (1986)
- Television appearances
- Police Woman (1975)
- Visions (1976)
- Charlie's Angels (1976)
- Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (recurring role) (1976–77)
- Baretta (1977)
- Taxi (1978)
- Dallas (1979)
- Hart to Hart (1979, 81)
- The Dukes of Hazzard (1982)
- Voyagers! (1982)
- Moonlighting (1986)
References
- "Andra Akers Obituary - Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Times". Retrieved Apr 19, 2019.
- "Andra Akers". Variety. 2002-04-16. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
- Dramatic Occasion, Salient, July 23, 1962, p4
- "The Films of Brian De Palma - Reviews by David Nusair". Reelfilm.com.
- "Andra Akers Obituary". Legacy.com.
External links
- Andra Akers at IMDb
- Andra Akers obituary, Los Angeles Times, April 7, 2002