Patricia Tallman

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

Patricia Tallman
Patricia Tallman, CoastCon 2012 - Biloxi, MS
Born
Patricia J. Tallman[1]

(1957-09-04) September 4, 1957[1]
Pontiac, Illinois, United States
Other namesPat J. Tallman
Pat Tallman[1]
EducationCarnegie Mellon University (BFA)
OccupationActress
Stuntwoman[1]
Years active1980–present[1]
Spouse(s)
Jeffrey Willerth
​
​
(m. 1999; div. 2008)​
Partner(s)J. Michael Straczynski
(200?–2013)
Children1

Early life and education

Patricia is the daughter of Jerry Tallman, a radio entertainer.[2] She is a 1975 graduate of Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois,[3] and received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University's Theater Arts Program.[1]:p. 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.

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.[1] In a 2001 episode of the TV series Sheena, she guest-starred as the villain Caroline Dula.[8]

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).[9]

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[10] and in some of the Anne Manx sequels (sold as radio plays on CD).[11]

In 2011, Tallman published her autobiography Pleasure Thresholds - Patricia Tallman's Babylon 5 Memoir.[1]

In 2012, Tallman became CEO and executive producer of Studio JMS in partnership with her then-boyfriend, J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of the science fiction television series she first gained attention in, Babylon 5 (1993–1998).[12] In 2013, she left the company.[13]

In May 2014, Tallman played the male role of Lespere in a theatrical production of Ray Bradbury's Kaleidoscope at Sci-Fest LA: the First Annual Los Angeles Science Fiction One-Act Play Festival.[14]

In May 2015, Tallman played the wife in a comedy called A Logic Called Joe at the second Sci-Fest LA.[15]

In 2016, Tallman started Quest Retreats, a VIP adventure excursion company with annual events in Hawaii, London, New Zealand, and South Africa.[16]

Personal life
Tallman in 2013.

Tallman met Andrea Rogantini when he was the executive chef at Prego Ristorante in Los Angeles.[17] Rogantini is the father of her only child, a son named Julian Tallman.:p. 246 Tallman later met Jeffrey Willerth when she was acting on Babylon 5 (1993–1998), where he was as an associate producer. They were married in 1999, separated several years later and divorced in 2008.[1]:p. 250

Tallman also met J. Michael Straczynski (JMS) when she was acting on Babylon 5, a series which he created. The two entered into a relationship sometime after Straczynski separated from his wife, Kathryn M. Drennan, in 2002.[18][19] She served as CEO and executive producer of Studio JMS, leaving him and the studio in 2013.[20][13][19]

Tallman is a leading fund-raiser for Penny Lane, a center for abused children in California.:p. 255 As of 2017, she has been leading their annual “Be a Santa Toy Drive” for more than 20 years.[21]

Partial filmography
Year Title Role Note
1981 Knightriders Julie
1982 Stuck on You! Queen Guenevere
1988 Tales from the Darkside Janice Perry
Monkey Shines Party Guest
1989 Generations Christy Russell
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
Ring of the Musketeers Woman Imposter Made for TV movie
Sweet Justice Josie
1993 Babylon 5: The Gathering Lyta Alexander
Benefit of the Doubt Karen's Mother
Star Trek: The Next Generation Various roles Episodes "Timescape", "Starship Mine", "Power Play" plus uncredited stunt work on further episodes
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Nurse Tagana / Weapons Officer / Nima Episodes "The Muse", "The Way of the Warrior", "Battle Lines" plus uncredited stunt work on further episodes
1994 Clifford Flight Attendant on Rolling Cart
1995 Babylon 5 Lyta Alexander Pilot episode, recurring seasons two and three, starring seasons four and five
1996 Star Trek: Voyager Various Episodes "Favorite Son", "Basics: Part 1" plus uncredited stunt work on further episodes
2001 Sheena Caroline Dula
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 [22]

References
  1. Tallman, Patricia (2011). Pleasure Thresholds. Publishing 180. ISBN 978-0-9821005-2-3. Archived from the original on 2018-07-20. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  2. "Patricia Tallman Biography (1957-) in Film Reference website". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  3. "1975 Glenbard West High Yearbook". classmates.com. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  4. Arar, Yardena (24 October 1990). "TALLMAN TUMBLES INTO BIG-TIME ROLE - 'LIVING DEAD' ACTRESS DISLIKES HORROR PICTURES". Daily News of Los Angeles. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  5. Pierce, Scott D. (25 October 1990). "'Babylon 5' full of surprises". Deseret News. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  6. "Interview with Patricia Tallman on Slice of SciFi". Sliceofscifi.com. 2005-07-28. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  7. "TRINITY OF TERRORS Updates & More!". Archived from the original on October 21, 2009.
  8. "Sheena - Full Cast and Crew". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
  9. "Full cast and crew for Atlas Shrugged: Part II (2012)". IMDb. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  10. "Lives of the Cat". Radio Repertory Company of America. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  11. "RRCA shows". Radio Repertory Company of America. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  12. Dave, McNary (February 1, 2013). "Motion Picture Capital backs 'Flickering Light'". Variety. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  13. http://studiojms.com/the-team/
  14. Angie Fiedler Sutton (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.
  15. Matt Boiselle (May 11, 2015). "Patricia Tallman Talks Returning to the Stage for Sci-Fest L.A." dreadcentral.com. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  16. "About Pat Tallman". www.questretreats.com. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  17. Perry, Charles (1993-08-08). "THE PREGO PATTERN : Nearly 10 Years Old, This Beverly Hills Ristorante Is Still la Epitome di Una Trattoria". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  18. Straczynski, J. Michael (2013-12-08). "Hang with JMS: "Before I get into any of this..." Facebook. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  19. Straczynski, J. Michael (2014-01-01). "Interesting JMS Facebook Posts & Tweets". JMSNews. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  20. McNary, Dave (2013-02-01). "Motion Picture Capital backs 'Flickering Light'". Variety. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  21. Staff writers (December 2017). "Be a Santa: Pat's Holiday Tradition for the Children of Penny Lane". beasanta.org. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  22. "Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose". Seed and Spark. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
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