Nancy Valen
| Nancy Valen | |
|---|---|
| Born |
December 16, 1965 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Other names |
Nancy Valin Nancy Van Patten |
| Occupation | Actress, producer |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse(s) | Nels Van Patten (m. 1994) |
Nancy Valen (born December 16, 1965) is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on Baywatch.
Early life
Nancy Valen was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Hallandale, Florida. By the time she was 12 years old, she was spending summers modeling in New York City and studied acting at Uta Hagen's HB Studios. After graduating from a performing arts high school in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Valen won a theatrical scholarship to the University of Florida. She ultimately declined the scholarship in favor of continuing her professional career in Miami. Meanwhile, she attended Broward Community College, where she studied theatre and paid for her tuition by modeling and acting, appearing in two episodes of Miami Vice.
After one year of college, Valen went to New York City to pursue a theatrical career. Within one month of being in New York, she landed a series regular role on the daytime drama Ryan's Hope. Valen stayed with Ryan's Hope for two years before moving to Los Angeles to pursue other interests.
Career
Acting
Valen made her film debut in Porky's Revenge (1985), followed by a role in The Heavenly Kid with Richard Mulligan and Jane Kaczmarek. In 1989, Valen co-starred alongside Patrick Dempsey in the film, Loverboy. She also had a small role opposite Kirk Cameron in the film Listen to Me. Her other film appearances include Seven Sundays alongside Molly Ringwald; directed by Academy Award-winning director, Jean-Charles Tacchella.
In addition to films, Valen has also appeared in various television series. In 1990, she guest starred in an episode of Saved by the Bell as the brand new school nurse at Bayside High, Jennifer. That same year, she co-starred in NBC's short-lived musical series Hull High under the direction of Kenny Ortega. After the series premiere, TV Guide proclaimed her "the most agreeably watchable new star on TV". Valen has also guest starred on 23 series including Hardball, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, Spin City, Boy Meets World, Miami Vice, and Murder She Wrote.
Valen has also hosted several infomercials for the Bun and Thigh Roller, Slam man, Thin 'n Sexy Body Wrap, Kevin Trudeau's Debt Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About, Time Life The Heart of Classic Rock, and the Instyler.
Valen has appeared as a guest on Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Day L.A. and on the covers and pages of magazines and newspapers including American Women, FHM, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, and The Los Angeles Times Calendar.
Producing
Valen, alongside Craig J. Nevius, formed Windmill Entertainment. Among the television programs she has produced include Living in TV Land, Chasing Farrah, William Shatner in Concert, and Let's Kill Scott Baio.
As an Executive Producer/reality series creator, Valen has partnered with a wide variety of companies including Whoop Inc., Renegade83, 44 Blue, Target, and Intuitive Entertainment. Currently Nancy is partnered with Authentic Entertainment on the series WHEN STAMIE MET TRACY. The series follows two former The Real L Word stars as they raise their three children with their extended modern family. In addition, Valen works with Jarrett Creative Group in partnership with the Biography Channel for the networks’ highest rated series, Celebrity Ghost Stories and the hit series, Celebrity Close Calls.
In the scripted world, Valen has partnered with VH1, ABC, FOX Television and Emmy award winning producer, Tony To. Valen is in development and is a Co-Executive Producer on ACTION HEROES INC. for ABC/Fox Studios. The action-comedy movie franchise stars William Shatner, Robert Wagner and Lee Majors as three former TV heroes turned real life detectives.
Personal life
Since October 1994, Valen has been married to Nels Van Patten (son of actor Dick Van Patten).
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Porky's Revenge! | Ginger | |
| 1985 | Heavenly Kid, TheThe Heavenly Kid | Melissa | |
| 1989 | Big Picture, TheThe Big Picture | Young Sharon | |
| 1989 | Loverboy | Jenny Gordon | |
| 1989 | Listen to Me | Mia | |
| 1992 | Final Embrace | Candy Vale / Laurel Parrish | |
| 1993 | Little Devils: The Birth | Lynn | |
| 1994 | Seven Sundays | Nicky | |
| 1998 | Black Thunder | Mela | |
| 2003 | Written in Blood | Mary Ramson | |
| 2007 | Wager, TheThe Wager | Tanya Steele |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Miami Vice | Lana | Episode: "The Home Invaders" |
| 1986 | Ryan's Hope | Melinda Weaver | 1 episode |
| 1988 | Charles in Charge | Tammy | Episode: "Barbelles" |
| 1989 | Murder, She Wrote | Selina Williams Waverly | Episode: "Night of the Tarantula" |
| 1989 | Baywatch | Hallie | Episode: "Panic at Malibu Pier" |
| 1990 | Hull High | Donna Breedlove | Main role (8 episodes) |
| 1990 | Saved by the Bell | Jennifer | Episode: "From Nurse to Worse" |
| 1991 | Young Riders, TheThe Young Riders | Samantha Edgars | Episode: "Color Blind" |
| 1991 | Full House | Lisa Green | Episode: "Take My Sister, Please" |
| 1992 | Murder, She Wrote | Lily Roland | Episode: "Danse Diabolique" |
| 1992 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing | Mala Sikorski | TV film |
| 1993 | Silk Stalkings | Sylvia DeCastro | Episode: "Team Spirit" |
| 1994 | Silk Stalkings | Dr. Jillian Dupree | Episodes: "Natural Selection: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1994 | Fortune Hunter | Madison Reynolds | Episode: "The Cursed Dagger" |
| 1994 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Laura | Episodes: "Something in the Shadows: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1994 | Hardball | Jennifer | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1994 | Boy Meets World | Ms. Kelly | Episode: "Pairing Off" |
| 1995 | Friends | Lorraine | Episode: "The One with the Candy Hearts" |
| 1996–1997 | Baywatch | Samantha Thomas | Main role (22 episodes) |
| 1997 | Viper | Bianca Carson | Episode: "Whistle Blower" |
| 1998 | Dune 2000 | Fremen Kari (voice) | Video game |
| 1999 | Love Boat: The Next Wave, TheThe Love Boat: The Next Wave | Leslie | Episode: "Other People's Business" |
| 2001 | Black Scorpion | Det. Angela Archer / Angel of Death | Episode: "Kiss of Death" |
| 2002 | Spin City | Ashley | Episode: "Sex, Lies and Video Date" |
