The career of Laurene Landon can be seen in multiple horror-comedies and scifi-comedies, whether the roles were small or meaningful – she still left her mark on independent films. Recently, she returned to the business and I think her entire body of work needs to be highlighted in this Where Are They Now edition. Born in Canada in March 1957, Laurene’s strong, leggy look made her a head turner every time she walked into the room. Casting agents took note of her appearance and in the late 1970’s she started doing featured background work in films. She landed a small role in Full Moon High (1981) and in Airplane II: The Sequel (1982), also appearing in Playboy in that year, which sparked the start of her career in Hollywood.
In 1983 Laurene booked her first lead role as the title character in scifi’s Hundra. Her following credits include a small role in The Stuff (1985), the female lead in America 3000 (1986) and the second female lead opposite Karen Black in It’s Alive III: Island of the Alive (1987). She then played the role of Theresa in Maniac Cop (1988) as the female lead opposite Tom Atkins and Bruce Campbell. She would reprise the role again in Maniac Cop 2 in (1990). In between the franchise she also had a small role in Wicked Stepmother.
So, where is Laurene Landon now?
Following Maniac Cop 2 in 1990, Laurene left acting behind and didn’t return to the screen for 16 years! She made her big return as a guest spot in one episode of “Masters of Horror” in 2006. She participated in out of genre film festival favorites for years after that as well as the Oscar Nominated Ryan Gosling crime-drama Drive. Her in the credits include a small role in erotica’s 1313: Hercules Unbound and a supporting role in Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance (2015). She also has another horror film, Terror Tales, due for release in 2016.
