Linda Harrison
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Linda Melson Harrison (born July 26, 1945) is an American television and film actress, and director and producer, who is internationally known for her role as
Nova A nova (plural novae or novas) is a transient astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently "new" star (hence the name "nova", which is Latin for "new") that slowly fades over weeks or months. Causes of the dramati ...
in the science fiction film classic ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
'' (1968) and the first sequel, ''
Beneath the Planet of the Apes ''Beneath the Planet of the Apes'' is a 1970 American science fiction film directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original ''Planet of the Apes'' series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. The film stars Jam ...
''; she also had a cameo in
Tim Burton Timothy Walter Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for his gothic fantasy and horror films such as ''Beetlejuice'' (1988), ''Edward Scissorhands'' (1990), ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (1993), ...
's 2001 remake of the original. She was a regular cast member of the 1969–70
NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...
television series ''
Bracken's World ''Bracken's World'' is an American drama television series that aired on NBC from September 19, 1969, to December 25, 1970. The series was created and produced by Dorothy Kingsley. The Lettermen performed the second-season theme song "Worlds". ...
''. She was the second wife of film producer
Richard D. Zanuck Richard Darryl Zanuck (December 13, 1934 – July 13, 2012) was an American film producer. His 1989 film ''Driving Miss Daisy'' won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Zanuck was also instrumental in launching the career of director Steven Spielb ...
(''
Jaws Jaws or Jaw may refer to: Anatomy * Jaw, an opposable articulated structure at the entrance of the mouth ** Mandible, the lower jaw Arts, entertainment, and media * Jaws (James Bond), a character in ''The Spy Who Loved Me'' and ''Moonraker'' * ...
'', '' Cocoon'', ''
Driving Miss Daisy '' Driving Miss Daisy'' is a 1989 American comedy-drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on his 1987 play of the same name. The film stars Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd. Freeman reprised his ...
'', ''
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' is a 1964 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. The story was originally ...
''); her youngest son is producer
Dean Zanuck Dean Francis Zanuck (born August 11, 1972) is an American production executive and film producer. Biography Early life He was born on August 11, 1972 in Los Angeles.Harry HaunThe Grandson also rises: Dean Zanuck takes an indie path with Robert ...
(''
Road to Perdition ''Road to Perdition'' is a 2002 American crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes. The screenplay was adapted by David Self from the graphic novel of the same name written by Max Allan Collins and illustrated by Richard Piers Rayner. The film s ...
'', ''
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' is a 1964 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. The story was originally ...
'').


Early life and family

Linda Melson Harrison was born in
Berlin, Maryland Berlin is a town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States which includes its own historical Berlin Commercial District. The population was 4,485 at the 2010 census, and has since grown in population. It is part of the Salisbury, Maryland-D ...
. She was the third of five daughters of Isaac Burbage Harrison, a nurseryman, and his wife, Ida Virginia Melson, a beautician. She was the middle child, with two older sisters, Kay and Gloria, and two younger sisters, Jane and Joan.Daytona Beach Morning Journal. ''Linda Made It Big Her First Time'', July 25, 1970, p 29 The Harrisons, like Linda's maternal Melson ancestors, had a long history in the
Delmarva The Delmarva Peninsula, or simply Delmarva, is a large peninsula and proposed state on the East Coast of the United States, occupied by the vast majority of the state of Delaware and parts of the Eastern Shore regions of Maryland and Virginia. ...
region. According to Ancestry.com, the Melson family were mid-17th century immigrants to
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
from
Melsonby Melsonby is a village and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies a west of the A1(M) motorway and north of the A66. Etymology The second element in the name ''Melsonby'' is the Old Norse suffix ''-by'' ...
St James in
North Yorkshire North Yorkshire is the largest ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county (lieutenancy area) in England, covering an area of . Around 40% of the county is covered by National parks of the United Kingdom, national parks, including most of ...
. The Anglo-Welsh Harrisons had been resident for generations in
West Kirby West Kirby is a resort town on the north-west corner of the Wirral Peninsula in Merseyside, England, at the mouth of the River Dee, Wales, River Dee. Within the boundaries of the Historic counties of England, historic county of Cheshire, to th ...
, Cheshire, when one Richard Harrison, son of another Richard Harrison, emigrated in the early 17th century from West Kirby to the
New Haven Colony The New Haven Colony was a small English colony in North America from 1638 to 1664 primarily in parts of what is now the state of Connecticut, but also with outposts in modern-day New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The history o ...
in what is now
Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...
, thence to Maryland. Richard's direct descendant, Harrison's paternal grandfather, Joseph G. Harrison, and Joseph's older brother, Orlando Harrison (Mayor of Berlin 1900–1910 and 1916–1918 and Maryland State Senator for Worcester County, 1916-1928), establishe
J.G. Harrison & Sons Nurseries
which were, at one time, the largest fruit tree nursery business in America, employing some five hundred workers. The former Harrison Laboratory at the
University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of Mary ...
campus, which Harrison attended briefly, was named for her paternal great-uncle, Senator Orlando Harrison. "I knew she'd be a star when she was only five," Ida Harrison told an interviewer in 1969.Heffernan, Harold. ''New Starlet Wants Most To Marry, Raise Family'' Monday October 13, 1969, ''The Pittsburgh Press'', p 46 Mrs Harrison, who described her middle daughter as "a little ham", enrolled her in ballet and acrobatics classes at age five. By age six, Harrison was performing on stage, and liking it. She attended
Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitue ...
's Buckingham Elementary School, which her mother and all her sisters attended. In 1956, when she was eleven, Harrison's acrobatic performance earned her first prize in the Delmarva Chicken Festival Talent Contest. Six years later, at the same festival, Harrison won the "Miss Delmarva" beauty contest.''The Salisbury Times'', June 14, 1962, p 1 By the time she entered
Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's most populous city, according to population within city limits. One of Germany's sixteen constitue ...
's Stephen Decatur High School, Harrison had become a skilled acrobatic dancer. Harrison also dreamed of becoming an actress and a star. It was Harrison's plan to become an actress by entering and winning beauty contests, then travel to California to be seen and noticed. When she was in her teens, Harrison worked summers as a waitress at Phillips Crab House in
Ocean City, Maryland Ocean City, officially the Town of Ocean City, is an Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, Worcester County, Maryland along the East Coast of the United States. The population was 6,844 at the 2020 United States cens ...
; she was dating the son of the restaurant's owners when she flew to California for the
Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 17 and 25. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is now judged on competitors' talent performances and interviews. As ...
beauty contest. From time to time, she appeared as a narrator on local TV programs carried on
Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...
TV station WMAR. Harrison essayed her first dramatic role while attending Stephen Decatur High School, that of "Connie Fuller" in the senior class production of the 1940
Kaufman Kaufman or Kauffman may refer to: People *Kaufmann (surname) ''Includes Kaufman, Kauffman, Kauffmann'' Places * Kaufman, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Madison Count * Kaufman, Texas, a city in Kaufman County * Kaufman County, Texas, ...
/
Hart Hart often refers to: * Hart (deer) Hart may also refer to: Organizations * Hart Racing Engines, a former Formula One engine manufacturer * Hart Skis, US ski manufacturer * Hart Stores, a Canadian chain of department stores * Hart's Reptile W ...
play ''George Washington Slept Here''. On Saturday, May 19, 1962, William Hockersmith crowned her Miss Berlin at the Miss Berlin Beauty Pageant, which was held at the high school. A month later, Harrison represented her home town at the Delmarva Chicken Festival beauty contest. After graduating from high school, Harrison enrolled for a summer term at the
University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of Mary ...
, and a secretarial school in Baltimore, but found it uninspiring. When her oldest sister, Kay, graduated from college and headed for New York, Harrison went with her, with $250 and their mother's credit card. Several years later, Harrison would lament her "admittedly deficient formal education" to an interviewer, saying that she "missed a great deal because I didn't finish school."Lewis, Richard Warren. ''In Bracken's World Live Beautiful People, Including...'' TV Guide Magazine, February 14, 1970, pp 28–30 In New York, Kay and Linda shared an apartment and their mother Ida's credit card. Harrison scored some success as a model, but she disliked New York and was homesick for Maryland. Less than a year later, she returned home; following her plan to become an actress by winning beauty contests, she entered the 1964 Miss Delmarva beauty pageant as Miss Berlin, and won. Harrison followed her 1964 victory by entering the Miss Maryland beauty pageant, a preliminary event to the Miss America pageant, itself the final preliminary event to the Miss International contest, which would be held in
Long Beach, California Long Beach is a city in Los Angeles County, California. It is the 42nd-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 466,742 as of 2020. A charter city, Long Beach is the seventh-most populous city in California. Incorporate ...
, in mid-June 1965. Harrison won the contest over nineteen other girls; that June, as Miss Maryland, she flew to California for the Miss America contest. She thought the trip would last for two weeks; bidding farewell to her boyfriend, she scheduled her return home in two weeks, after she was crowned Miss America. But she was first-runner up, not the winner. Harrison was "devastated", and so deeply disappointed over losing that she wept backstage. Her striking good looks and
hourglass figure The hourglass figure is one of four traditional female body shapes described by the fashion industry. The other shapes are the rectangular, inverted triangle, and spoon/pear. The hourglass shape is defined by a woman's body measurements- the circum ...
, however, had gained the notice of
Mike Medavoy Morris Mike Medavoy (born January 21, 1941) is an American film producer and business executive. He is the co-founder of Orion Pictures (1978), former chairman of TriStar Pictures, former head of production for United Artists (1974–1978), and ...
, then an agent at the General Artist Corporation. "You ought to be in pictures," Medavoy told her.Tweedle, Sam. (April 2012
''Nova Speaks: A Conversation with Linda Harrison''
/ref> In August 1965, Medavoy obtained a "personality test" for her at
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...
. No acting was involved; Harrison answered questions directed to her from off-camera, while speaking into the camera on various subjects. The test earned her Fox's standard 60-day option agreement, scheduled to expire in November 1965. During her 60-day option period, Harrison studied with Fox acting coach, Pamela Danova. In October 1965, prior to the expiration of her option, Fox assigned Harrison as the date of studio attorney Harry E. Sokolov for the premiere of '' The Agony and the Ecstasy''. She was selected as Sokolov's date because "Harry was from Baltimore." Harrison was excited, because it was her first premiere, and because the film co-starred
Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923April 5, 2008) was an American actor and political activist. As a Hollywood star, he appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film ''The Ten C ...
, who had been her idol since she had seen '' Ben-Hur''. At the post-premiere party, which she attended with her studio-assigned date, Harrison was thrilled to meet her longtime idol, Heston, with whom she would soon co-star in ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
''. At the premiere, Harrison met Sokolov's boss, Fox's Vice President in Charge of Production
Richard D. Zanuck Richard Darryl Zanuck (December 13, 1934 – July 13, 2012) was an American film producer. His 1989 film ''Driving Miss Daisy'' won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Zanuck was also instrumental in launching the career of director Steven Spielb ...
. Zanuck, Harrison said later, was immediately "smitten" and fell "madly in love" with her, and she with him, and they began to date. Harrison's acting career, as well as her life, became inextricably intertwined with their subsequent relationship.''Woman of the Apes: Interview with Linda Harrison''
''Starlog''(USA), April 1995, Issue 213, pp 57–60


Career


Early roles

Right after meeting Zanuck, Harrison signed Fox's standard seven-year contract in November and was placed in the studio's Talent Training School. Although Harrison told interviewers that Zanuck had created the school so "he could keep an eye on me", the school was actually a former Fox institution which Zanuck had revived to train aspiring, talented young actors and actresses under contract to Fox; besides Harrison, the student roster included
Jacqueline Bisset Winifred Jacqueline Fraser Bisset ( ; born 13 September 1944) is a British actress. She began her film career in 1965 and first came to prominence in 1968 with roles in '' The Detective'', ''Bullitt'', and ''The Sweet Ride'', for which she rec ...
,
James Brolin James Brolin (, born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin; July 18, 1940) is an American actor. Brolin has won two Golden Globes and an Emmy. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998. He is the father of actor Josh Brolin. He is ...
,
Tom Selleck Thomas William Selleck (; born January 29, 1945) is an American actor. His breakout role was playing private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series ''Magnum, P.I.'' (1980–1988), for which he received five Emmy Award nominations f ...
and
Edy Williams Edwina Beth "Edy" Williams is an American television and film actor who is best known for her acting work in the films of Russ Meyer, to whom she was married from 1970 to 1975. Early years Williams was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and raised in ...
. Under coaches Pamela Danova and
Curt Conway Curt Conway (May 4, 1915 – April 10, 1974) was an American actor. He was sometimes billed as Curtis Conway or Kurt Conway. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Conway appeared in a number of Broadway plays, had small parts in films. such as ''Hud'' ...
, Harrison attended drama classes, speech classes, fencing classes, dance and body movement classes, and lectures by veteran actors, actresses, directors, writers, publicity agents, and teachers. In addition to her strenuous round of classes, Harrison worked with a speech coach to eradicate her Eastern Maryland accent. Harrison's first assignment under her new Fox contract was as a "Biker Chick" in ''Men Against Evil'', a TV pilot which became the TV series ''
Felony Squad ''The Felony Squad'' is a half-hour television crime drama originally broadcast on the ABC network from September 12, 1966, to January 31, 1969, a span encompassing seventy-three episodes. Overview The program starred Howard Duff (as Sergeant Sam ...
''. "I had three words, "Go, man, go!" I was all of 20, and dressed in this really racy motorcycle outfit. Those were my first words! This was still the era of stardom and premieres. When you were put under a studio contract, every minute of your life was so exciting, because you were doing something so unique and special." (Three years later, Harrison co-starred as ''
Felony Squad ''The Felony Squad'' is a half-hour television crime drama originally broadcast on the ABC network from September 12, 1966, to January 31, 1969, a span encompassing seventy-three episodes. Overview The program starred Howard Duff (as Sergeant Sam ...
'' star
Dennis Cole Dennis Cole (July 19, 1940 – November 15, 2009) was an American actor in film and television. A familiar face on the screen during the 1960s and 1970s, Cole made guest appearances in numerous television series. After the 1991 murder of Jo ...
's love interest in the NBC TV series ''
Bracken's World ''Bracken's World'' is an American drama television series that aired on NBC from September 19, 1969, to December 25, 1970. The series was created and produced by Dorothy Kingsley. The Lettermen performed the second-season theme song "Worlds". ...
''.) Harrison's next assignment was in the ''
Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...
'' TV series, where she appeared briefly as one of three high school cheerleaders in the episodes "
The Joker Goes to School "The Joker Goes to School", a first-season episode of the ''Batman (TV series), Batman'' television series, first aired on American Broadcasting Company, ABC March 2, 1966 as its 15th episode, with an encore telecast later occurring on August 10. ...
" and " He Meets His Match, The Grisly Ghoul", aired in early March 1966. To prepare Harrison for her few seconds onscreen, her Fox dance coach worked Harrison and her fellow cheerleaders early in the morning and on through the day. Linda, a former high school cheerleader, complained, "You're going to use up all my energy, so when the shot comes, I won't have any." Her coach complained that "Linda Harrison gave me a hard time." After the brief late afternoon shot, Harrison's overworked leg muscles failed on her way home, and Zanuck had to carry her upstairs to their Wilshire-Westwood apartment. On March 8, 1966, immediately after her brief appearance on ''Batman'', Harrison was filmed in ape makeup for a proposed film version of
Pierre Boulle Pierre François Marie Louis Boulle (20 February 1912 – 30 January 1994) was a French novelist best known for two works, ''The Bridge over the River Kwai'' (1952) and ''Planet of the Apes (novel), Planet of the Apes'' (1963), that were both mad ...
's satirical novel, ''
Monkey Planet ''La Planète des singes'', known in English as ''Planet of the Apes'' in the US and ''Monkey Planet'' in the UK, is a 1963 science fiction novel by French author Pierre Boulle. It was adapted into the 1968 film ''Planet of the Apes (1968 film) ...
'', later released as ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
''. pp 26–27, 28, 30, 31, 58–59, 68, 78, 124, 129 Zanuck had financed the test in order to show Fox's money men that, despite all doubts to the contrary, the ''Planet of the Apes'' project was feasible. The test, written by
Rod Serling Rodman Edward Serling (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter, playwright, television producer, and narrator/on-screen host, best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his anthology television series ' ...
and directed by
Franklin J. Schaffner Franklin James Schaffner (May 30, 1920July 2, 1989) was an American film, television, and stage director. He won an Academy Award for Best Director for ''Patton'' (1970), and is known for the films ''Planet of the Apes'' (1968), ''Nicholas and Al ...
, starred Harrison's idol,
Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923April 5, 2008) was an American actor and political activist. As a Hollywood star, he appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film ''The Ten C ...
, and
Edward G. Robinson Edward G. Robinson (born Emanuel Goldenberg; December 12, 1893January 26, 1973) was a Romanian-American actor of stage and screen, who was popular during the Hollywood's Golden Age. He appeared in 30 Broadway plays and more than 100 films duri ...
as Heston's nemesis, Dr. Zaius. Harrison appeared as Zira, the role ultimately played by
Kim Hunter Kim Hunter (born Janet Cole; November 11, 1922 – September 11, 2002) was an American theatre, film, and television actress. She achieved prominence for portraying Stella Kowalski in the original production of Tennessee Williams' ''A Streetcar N ...
, while Harrison's Talent School classmate fellow contract actor,
James Brolin James Brolin (, born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin; July 18, 1940) is an American actor. Brolin has won two Golden Globes and an Emmy. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998. He is the father of actor Josh Brolin. He is ...
, took on
Roddy McDowall Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 4 October 1998) was a British actor, photographer and film director. He began his acting career as a child in England, and then in the United States, in ''How Green Was My Valley'' (1 ...
's role of Cornelius. Though the ape make-up test was considered successful, the studio rejected the project again. Meanwhile, in May 1966, Harrison made her big screen debut as one of several "Treasure Hunters" in ''
The Fat Spy ''The Fat Spy'' is a 1966 Z movie that attempts to parody teenage beach party films rather than spy films. It was filmed at Cape Coral, Florida. It is featured in the 2004 documentary ''The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made''. Briefly released to theater ...
''. The low-budget comedy might have been forgotten had it not been mentioned in a 2004 documentary as one of ''The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made''. Harrison's next big screen outing was in the
Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch; March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. As his contributions to comedy and charity made him a global figure in popular culture, pop culture ...
comedy '' Way...Way Out''; she played half of a husband-wife astronaut team on the verge of divorce. She appeared early in the film, arguing furiously, in her still-uneradicated Down Eastern accent, with her onscreen husband and off-screen Talent School classmate,
James Brolin James Brolin (, born Craig Kenneth Bruderlin; July 18, 1940) is an American actor. Brolin has won two Golden Globes and an Emmy. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 27, 1998. He is the father of actor Josh Brolin. He is ...
, with whom she had appeared in the ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
'' makeup test. Harrison then stormed out, and the film continued without her. After ''Way...Way Out'', Harrison appeared in a four-minute test segment entitled "Who's Afraid of Diana Prince?", created by ''
Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...
'' producer
William Dozier William McElroy Dozier (; February 13, 1908 – April 23, 1991) was an American film and television producer, writer and actor. He is best known for two television series, ''Batman'' and ''The Green Hornet''. Early life Dozier was born in Omaha, ...
, which was supposed to engender interest in a
Wonder Woman Wonder Woman is a superhero created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston (pen name: Charles Moulton), and artist Harry G. Peter. Marston's wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byr ...
pilot and an eventual TV series. Harrison played a glamorous mirror image of Wonder Woman, which existed only in the imagination of the homely
Diana Prince Diana Prince is a fictional character appearing regularly in stories published by DC Comics, as the secret identity of the Amazonian superhero Wonder Woman, who bought the credentials and identity from a United States Army nurse named Diana Pri ...
character, played by Ellie Wood Walker (
Robert Walker Jr. Robert Hudson Walker Jr. (April 15, 1940 – December 5, 2019) was an American actor who appeared in films including ''Easy Rider'' (1969) and was a familiar presence on television in the 1960s and early 1970s. He became less active in lat ...
's wife). The "Who's Afraid of Diana Prince?" segment failed to engender any interest in a Wonder Woman pilot, although
Lynda Carter Lynda Jean Cordova Carter (born July 24, 1951) is an American actress, singer, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss World USA 1972 and finished in the top 15 at the Miss World 1972 pageant. Carter is best known as the star of th ...
had great success in the role eight years later. Harrison next appeared as
Carl Reiner Carl Reiner (March 20, 1922 – June 29, 2020) was an American actor, stand-up comedian, director, screenwriter, and author whose career spanned seven decades. He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, ...
's blonde-wigged young inamorata "Miss Stardust" in ''
A Guide for the Married Man ''A Guide for the Married Man'' is a 1967 American bedroom-farce comedy film starring Walter Matthau, Robert Morse, and Inger Stevens. It was directed by Gene Kelly. It features many cameos, including Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Terry-Thomas, J ...
'' (1967), a bedroom comedy about marital infidelity directed by
Gene Kelly Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996) was an American actor, dancer, singer, filmmaker, and choreographer. He was known for his energetic and athletic dancing style and sought to create a new form of American dance accessibl ...
and starring
Walter Matthau Walter Matthau (; born Walter John Matthow; October 1, 1920 – July 1, 2000) was an American actor, comedian and film director. He is best known for his film roles in '' A Face in the Crowd'' (1957), ''King Creole'' (1958) and as a coach of a ...
,
Robert Morse Robert Alan Morse (May 18, 1931 – April 20, 2022) was an American actor, who starred in ''How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'', both the 1961 original Broadway production, for which he won a Tony Award, and its 1967 film adaptati ...
and
Inger Stevens Inger Stevens (born Ingrid Stensland; October 18, 1934 – April 30, 1970) was a Swedish-American film, stage and Golden Globe-winning television actress. Early life Inger Stevens was born in Stockholm, Sweden, the eldest child of Per ...
. Harrison described her vignette with
Carl Reiner Carl Reiner (March 20, 1922 – June 29, 2020) was an American actor, stand-up comedian, director, screenwriter, and author whose career spanned seven decades. He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, ...
as "fun" because it took her "all over the world. I was in limousines and on a donkey and on a camel." In addition to speaking one line of dialogue, she wore several costumes for her five-minute globe-trotting adventure, including an elaborate sequinned bikini, a diaphanous negligee, and a fiery red sarong.


''Planet of the Apes''

Producer
Arthur P. Jacobs Arthur P. Jacobs (March 7, 1922 – June 27, 1973) was a press agent turned film producer responsible for such films in the 1960s and 1970s as the ''Planet of the Apes'' series, ''Doctor Dolittle'', ''Goodbye, Mr. Chips'', '' Play It Again, Sam'' ...
had first thought of former Bond girl
Ursula Andress Ursula Andress (born 19 March 1936) is a Swiss-German actress, former model and sex symbol who has appeared in American, British and Italian films. Her breakthrough role was as Bond girl Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, '' Dr. No'' (1962 ...
for Nova, and extensive auditions were held for the role, with one of the women tested being
Angelique Pettyjohn Angelique Pettyjohn (born Dorothy Lee Perrins; March 11, 1943 – February 14, 1992) was an American actress and burlesque queen. She appeared as the drill thrall Shahna in the ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' episode "The Gamesters of Triskeli ...
, who had played a warrior in the ''
Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
'' episode "
The Gamesters of Triskelion "The Gamesters of Triskelion" is the sixteenth episode of the Star Trek: The Original Series (season 2), second season of the American science fiction television series ''Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek''. Written by Margaret Armen and d ...
". Filming was to commence in May 1967, but as late as April 17
Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923April 5, 2008) was an American actor and political activist. As a Hollywood star, he appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film ''The Ten C ...
noted in his diary, "The casting problem's really Nova: who will do it, and how naked can she be. The tests I saw were not good." Zanuck eventually asked Jacobs and
Mort Abrahams Mort Abrahams (26 March 1916 – 28 May 2009) was an American film and television producer. Among his credits are nine episodes of spy series ''The Man from U.N.C.L.E.'' and, as associate producer, the films ''Doctor Dolittle (film), Doctor Dolit ...
if they would test Harrison. "
ick Ick or ICK may refer to: * William Ick, (1800–1844), botanist *Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, a single-celled parasite. Also known as Ich *Inhibitor cystine knot *Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest *Trains in the Netherlands, Intercit ...
did it very nicely," Abrahams said. In the 1998 AMC documentary ''Behind the Planet of the Apes'',''Behind the Planet of the Apes''
/ref> Harrison said of her role as Nova, "I thought about animal instincts, the way
ova , abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the first part of an OVA s ...
would move and the way she would react would be more the way an animal would react, more from fear. It seemed to be what the director wanted." After her test, Harrison was hired to play the role for which she would later be known. Harrison, Mort Abrahams said, was ''Planet of the Apes'' commenced filming on May 21, 1967 and ended August 10, 1967. The first scenes were shot on locations near
Page, Arizona Page is a city in Coconino County, Arizona, United States, near the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 7,247. History Unlike other cities in the area, Page was founded in 1957 as a housing com ...
.
Horseshoe Bend Horseshoe Bend may refer to: Places Australia * Horseshoe Bend, New South Wales, an inner city suburb in the City of Maitland in the Hunter Region * Horseshoe Bend Station, a pastoral lease that operates as a cattle station in the Alice Sprin ...
on the
Colorado River The Colorado River ( es, Río Colorado) is one of the principal rivers (along with the Rio Grande) in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The river drains an expansive, arid drainage basin, watershed that encompasses parts of ...
stood in for the Forbidden Zone, through which
Taylor Taylor, Taylors or Taylor's may refer to: People * Taylor (surname) **List of people with surname Taylor * Taylor (given name), including Tayla and Taylah * Taylor sept, a branch of Scottish clan Cameron * Justice Taylor (disambiguation) Plac ...
, Zira, Cornelius, and Harrison's
Nova A nova (plural novae or novas) is a transient astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently "new" star (hence the name "nova", which is Latin for "new") that slowly fades over weeks or months. Causes of the dramati ...
fled after escaping from Ape City. Harrison, who had the company of her oldest sister Kay on location with her, found working in the desert "beautiful", and marveled "how they move an entire production, like a little mini-town, and set up." Heston noted in his diary on June 16, 1967 that "Linda H. has problems, but Frank's keeping her nearly immobile in her scenes, which works." Harrison noted that as Heston knew it was her "first big picture", he took it upon himself to coach her. Harrison was admittedly still "camera-shy", so Heston "taught me to favour the camera. Don't look right into it. Look off to the side, don't look too far, you know, not to turn my head this way. And he would say turn it just here. Don't go all the way back. And he held my hand for a lot of things." Their off-screen relationship, Harrison said, tended to reflect their on-screen relationship. As the "rookie" on the set, Harrison credited the help she received from the veteran actors: "Everybody that was involved in it, they all realized I was a neophyte, I was like 21 years old so they kind of took me under their wing, since I hadn't done acting that much."
Kim Hunter Kim Hunter (born Janet Cole; November 11, 1922 – September 11, 2002) was an American theatre, film, and television actress. She achieved prominence for portraying Stella Kowalski in the original production of Tennessee Williams' ''A Streetcar N ...
recalled working with Harrison on the ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
'' set: At one point, it was decided that Nova was pregnant, and scenes were filmed around the Page locations revealing Nova's pregnancy. In the penultimate drafts of ''Planet of the Apes'', Taylor was killed by the bullet of an ape sniper while Nova, pregnant with Taylor's child, escaped and vanished into the Forbidden Zone. Although Harrison believed it was Heston who rejected the idea of Nova's pregnancy, those scenes were deleted, according to screenwriter Michael Wilson, "at the insistence of a high-echelon Fox executive who found it distasteful. Why? I suppose that, if one defines the mute Nova as merely "humanoid" and not actually human, it would mean that Taylor had committed sodomy." It was also decided that Nova's pregnancy would detract from the film's ending. In any case, all Harrison's scenes with Heston and Hunter in the sequence of Nova's pregnancy were cut. "There's probably a great deal of footage of it somewhere." After filming in the desert concluded, production moved to
Malibu Creek State Park Malibu Creek State Park is a state park of California, United States, preserving the Malibu Creek canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains. The park was established in 1974. Opened to the public in 1976, the park is also a component of Santa Monic ...
, northwest of Los Angeles, on Las Virgenes Road off Mulholland Highway, where the 20th Century Fox's Malibu Ranch was located. Ape City was built on the ranch, and a field of corn grown, by which Heston first encounters Harrison. "It was stinking hot," Harrison recalled. "The scenes of us in cages were also shot at Ape City." From the Malibu Ranch, production moved to the coast, where the penultimate scenes were shot between Malibu and Oxnard. The final scenes were filmed in a secluded cove between Zuma Beach and Point Dume on the far eastern end of Westward Beach. Harrison's Nova was the sole human witness to Taylor's outburst on the beach, after which she looks up and, in the film's iconic ending, sees the ruined Statue of Liberty, without comprehending why it has caused her mate's grief. Harrison's favourite scenes were shot at the coast. She "thought that was kind of neat. And then jumping on his horse and riding with him and he turned around and I smiled. And we were going off to wherever – was out there. And that would have been a great way to start – well, they sort of started the next one that way." In later years, Harrison said she was conscious of the film's socio-political undertones: ''Planet of the Apes'' premiered in February 1968. The film was a hit upon its release, as well as a critical and commercial success. In the opening credits, Harrison was billed under the tag "introducing Linda Harrison"; although she had appeared in three previous films. Zanuck wanted to draw attention to Harrison because he felt the role would catapult her to stardom. Harrison impressed audiences with her hourglass figure, long dark hair, and large brown eyes, which, in the absence of spoken dialogue, did most of her acting, though some critics were unimpressed. Renata Adler of the ''
New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
'' dismissed Harrison as “Heston's Neanderthal flower girl. She wiggles her hips when she wants to say something." The success of ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
'' spawned four sequels, an animated cartoon series, a live-action TV series, a remake by Tim Burton, and a reboot that spawned three films. Heston and Harrison appeared in the first sequel, ''
Beneath the Planet of the Apes ''Beneath the Planet of the Apes'' is a 1970 American science fiction film directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original ''Planet of the Apes'' series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. The film stars Jam ...
''. Three decades later, Harrison had a brief cameo in the 2001 reboot, which also featured Heston. On August 27, 1998, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented a 30th anniversary screening of ''Planet of the Apes''. Harrison attended, along with Heston,
Kim Hunter Kim Hunter (born Janet Cole; November 11, 1922 – September 11, 2002) was an American theatre, film, and television actress. She achieved prominence for portraying Stella Kowalski in the original production of Tennessee Williams' ''A Streetcar N ...
,
Roddy McDowell Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 4 October 1998) was a British actor, photographer and film director. He began his acting career as a child in England, and then in the United States, in ''How Green Was My Valley'' (1 ...
and John Chambers. The film was also an inductee of the 2001
National Film Registry The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB’s inception i ...
list.


''Beneath the Planet of the Apes''

Linda Harrison's second outing in her most famous role was in the first sequel to ''Planet of the Apes''. She admitted "it wasn't as good as the first", saying that the original "had a top director and cinematographer. You couldn't beat Franklin J. Schaffner. In the second film we made it for less." No sequels had been contemplated at the time of the production of ''Planet of the Apes''; it was only during that film's success that a sequel was discussed. Neither Charlton Heston nor
Kim Hunter Kim Hunter (born Janet Cole; November 11, 1922 – September 11, 2002) was an American theatre, film, and television actress. She achieved prominence for portraying Stella Kowalski in the original production of Tennessee Williams' ''A Streetcar N ...
wanted to do another Apes film;
Roddy McDowall Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall (17 September 1928 – 4 October 1998) was a British actor, photographer and film director. He began his acting career as a child in England, and then in the United States, in ''How Green Was My Valley'' (1 ...
pleaded another commitment; and Harrison herself was ambivalent. She was engaged to her mentor, Richard Zanuck and "no longer totally concerned with being an actress. I don't even want to do another picture. But since this is a sequel to the one I did last year, I felt obligated. "Ted Post was a wonderful television director," Harrison said, "fabulous to work with, an actor's dream. I could get away with murder with him.'' Although her role as Nova was expanded, the sequel was a disappointing rush to production to capitalize on the original. Harrison's character eked out one word before she was shot to death, but nothing fresh was added.The budget was half that of ''Planet of the Apes''. Director
Ted Post Theodore I. Post (March 31, 1918 – August 20, 2013) was an American director of film and television. Highly prolific, Post directed numerous episodes of well-known television series including '' Rawhide'', ''Gunsmoke'', and ''The Twilight Zone'' ...
said, "It moved basically as an entertainment piece, nothing more." Post wanted the script rewritten. "I was very unhappy with the script, and I thought the script was far from what it should have been. The story was unclear, and didn't measure up." On his first reading of the script for ''
Beneath the Planet of the Apes ''Beneath the Planet of the Apes'' is a 1970 American science fiction film directed by Ted Post and written by Paul Dehn. It is the second of five films in the original ''Planet of the Apes'' series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. The film stars Jam ...
'', star
James Franciscus James Grover Franciscus (January 31, 1934 – July 8, 1991) was an American actor, known for his roles in feature films and in six television series: ''Mr. Novak'', ''The Naked City'', '' The Investigators'', '' Longstreet'', ''Doc Elliot'', an ...
phoned Charlton Heston. "Jesus Christ, Chuck," he said, "have you read this piece of crap?" Post knew Harrison's role was difficult to do anything with. Harrison's co-star, James Franciscus, remembered her fondly: Harrison recalled "having a lot of fun on the second ''Apes'' film":


''Bracken's World'' and wrongful termination suits

While filming ''Beneath the Planet of the Apes'', Harrison was cast as one of a trio of starlets in the Fox-produced NBC TV series ''
Bracken's World ''Bracken's World'' is an American drama television series that aired on NBC from September 19, 1969, to December 25, 1970. The series was created and produced by Dorothy Kingsley. The Lettermen performed the second-season theme song "Worlds". ...
''. It was, she said, "a series Dick anuck for a long time had wanted to do. So I got that part and I had to finish ''Beneath'' and go right into the pilot..." She played Paulette Douglas, a naive young woman and aspiring actress, who tried to balance studio pressures with her romance with a studio stuntman (Harrison's ''
Felony Squad ''The Felony Squad'' is a half-hour television crime drama originally broadcast on the ABC network from September 12, 1966, to January 31, 1969, a span encompassing seventy-three episodes. Overview The program starred Howard Duff (as Sergeant Sam ...
'' co-star
Dennis Cole Dennis Cole (July 19, 1940 – November 15, 2009) was an American actor in film and television. A familiar face on the screen during the 1960s and 1970s, Cole made guest appearances in numerous television series. After the 1991 murder of Jo ...
). The series also starred Emmy Award-winning actress
Jeanne Cooper Wilma Jeanne Cooper (October 25, 1928 – May 8, 2013) was an American actress, best known for her role as Katherine Chancellor on the CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' (1973–2013). At the time of her death, she was eighth on the ...
as Douglas's pushy mother. Harrison began filming the day after she finished her work on ''Beneath the Planet of the Apes''. "And I had to start remembering lines! Silence may be golden," she told an interviewer in October 1969, "but no one knows how happy I am to be off the gold standard." Harrison was noted as "one of the most refreshing young faces to light up TV screens this new season." Fox publicists issued press releases glossing over Harrison's deficient education and claiming for her a passion for Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Aristotle which she never possessed. Midway through its second season, ''Bracken's World'' was cancelled. Harrison said later that the studio wanted recognizable stars every week, instead of allowing the regular cast to grow as an ensemble, as was the case with shows such as ''
Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the eponymous 1960s television series and quickly became a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon. The franchise has expanded into vari ...
''. "Had they done it like a continuing drama and focused on the regular characters, it would have lasted longer," she said. "NBC, however, wanted a one-hour contained show, so they would stock each episode with a big guest star. After a while, you run out of story." After ''Bracken's World'' was cancelled, Harrison was caught in the
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...
proxy shareholder war that began in December 1970. Harrison's husband, Richard Zanuck, was one of the majority shareholders of the company with his father, studio head
Darryl Zanuck Darryl Francis Zanuck (September 5, 1902December 22, 1979) was an American film producer and studio executive; he earlier contributed stories for films starting in the silent era. He played a major part in the Hollywood studio system as one of ...
, and his mother, actress
Virginia Fox Virginia Oglesby Zanuck ( Fox; April 19, 1899 or 1902 or 1903 or 1906 – October 14, 1982) was an American actress who starred in many silent films of the 1910s and 1920s. Life and career Fox was born as Virginia Oglesby Fox in Wheeling, West ...
, then the estranged wife of Darryl. The proxy battle pitched Harrison's husband and mother-in-law against her father-in-law, after the studio had posted losses in consecutive years. In the course of the struggle, then-studio chief Darryl fired his son. Harrison's contract was abruptly terminated in January 1971. The reason given was that her presence might prove "embarrassing" to the studio. Harrison, who was by then pregnant with her first son, later sued for wrongful termination, breach of contract, alleged defamation, and infliction of emotional distress. Harrison was named in the $22 million lawsuit her husband filed November 1, 1971, against Darryl, Fox, the studio Chairman and CEO Dennis C. Stanfill, and Fox Executive Committee chairman William T. Gossett. In his suit Zanuck contended that he, Harrison, and former Fox executive David Brown had been wrongly terminated and subjected to humiliation and embarrassment. The suit was settled out of court. The terms and amounts of Harrison's settlements were never disclosed.


Films and television: 1974–1988

In 1974, after a sabbatical of several years, Harrison attempted to return to her career. She desperately wanted the role of
Roy Scheider Roy Richard Scheider (; November 10, 1932 – February 10, 2008) was an American actor and amateur boxer. Described by AllMovie as "one of the most unique and distinguished of all Hollywood actors", he gained fame for his leading and supporting ...
's wife in ''
Jaws Jaws or Jaw may refer to: Anatomy * Jaw, an opposable articulated structure at the entrance of the mouth ** Mandible, the lower jaw Arts, entertainment, and media * Jaws (James Bond), a character in ''The Spy Who Loved Me'' and ''Moonraker'' * ...
'', and urged her husband to give it to her. Zanuck asked director
Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Spie ...
if he would consider Harrison, but Spielberg preferred actress
Lorraine Gary Lorraine Gottfried (born August 16, 1937), better known by her stage name Lorraine Gary, is a retired American actress, best known for her role as Ellen Brody in the ''Jaws'' film series. She also appeared in '' 1941'' and ''Car Wash''. Early li ...
, whom he had seen in a TV movie, ''The Marcus Nelson Murders'', and cast her instead of Harrison "because she was right for the part." Harrison was upset over Spielberg's preference for Gary, feeling that her husband should have gotten her the part. "I really wanted Dick to go to bat for me this one time." As a consolation,
Universal Universal is the adjective for universe. Universal may also refer to: Companies * NBCUniversal, a media and entertainment company ** Universal Animation Studios, an American Animation studio, and a subsidiary of NBCUniversal ** Universal TV, a ...
chief
Sid Sheinberg Sidney Jay Sheinberg (January 14, 1935 – March 7, 2019) was an American lawyer and entertainment executive. He served as President and CEO of MCA Inc. and Universal Studios for over 20 years. Early life and education Sheinberg, the son of ...
, Lorraine Gary's husband, got Harrison a part in ''
Airport 1975 ''Airport 1975'' (also known as ''Airport '75'') is a 1974 American air disaster film and the first sequel to the successful 1970 film ''Airport''. It was directed by Jack Smight, produced by William Frye, executive produced by Jennings Lang, and ...
'' as
Gloria Swanson Gloria May Josephine Swanson (March 27, 1899April 4, 1983) was an American actress and producer. She first achieved fame acting in dozens of silent films in the 1920s and was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, most f ...
's personal assistant, Winnie. Though the movie starred Harrison's long-time idol,
Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923April 5, 2008) was an American actor and political activist. As a Hollywood star, he appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film ''The Ten C ...
, Harrison had no scenes with him, and "would have much rather had ''Jaws'' on my resume." Years later, in an April 2012 interview, Harrison offered a reason she had lost the role because "They said Roy Scheider couldn't get a girl as beautiful as me." Despite her disappointment over losing the coveted ''Jaws'' role, Harrison was fascinated by
Gloria Swanson Gloria May Josephine Swanson (March 27, 1899April 4, 1983) was an American actress and producer. She first achieved fame acting in dozens of silent films in the 1920s and was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, most f ...
, and spent hours with her on sets between takes. "She took a special liking to me. She really went on about the sex she had with Joe Kennedy. There wasn't anything she wouldn't say. He was going to marry her, but he couldn't leave Rose and the children, he was a wonderful lover, and she'd detail it." ''Airport 1975'' was the first time Harrison appeared under the name "Augusta Summerland", which her guru had chosen for her. After ''Airport 1975'', Harrison guest-starred on several TV shows. As "Augusta Summerland", she appeared on ''
Barnaby Jones ''Barnaby Jones'' is an American detective television series starring Buddy Ebsen as a formerly retired investigator and Lee Meriwether as his widowed daughter-in-law, who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles, California. The show was or ...
'' in episode #67 "The Alpha-Bravo War" (air date: October 24, 1975); on ''
Switch In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of ...
'' in episode #24 "Death Squad" (air date: April 6, 1976); and again on ''
Barnaby Jones ''Barnaby Jones'' is an American detective television series starring Buddy Ebsen as a formerly retired investigator and Lee Meriwether as his widowed daughter-in-law, who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles, California. The show was or ...
'' in episode #114 "The Damocles Gun" (air date: October 20, 1977). In the 1980s, Harrison resumed studying acting and enrolled in an acting school. When the school held a showcase presentation of its students' work, Harrison invited her by-then ex-husband and his third wife, Lili Fini Zanuck. The Zanucks needed a middle-aged actress to play
Barrett Oliver Barret Spencer Oliver (born August 24, 1973) is an American photographer and a former child actor. He is best known for his role as Bastian Balthazar Bux in the The NeverEnding Story (film), film adaptation of Michael Ende's novel ''The Neverendi ...
's mother in their upcoming production of '' Cocoon''; after viewing Harrison's scenes, they told her there might be a part for her. "So I had an interview with
Ron Howard Ronald William Howard (born March 1, 1954) is an American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He first came to prominence as a child actor, guest-starring in several television series, including an episode of ''The Twilight Zone''. He ...
and he said 'You got the part.'" Harrison reprised her role as Susan in the 1988 sequel, '' Cocoon: The Return'', which failed to achieve the commercial and critical success of its predecessor.


Later work: 1990 to 2015

In 1990, Harrison moved back home to Berlin, where she opened a consignment shop which she named "Harrison's Peach Tree" half a mile from the house where she was born and raised. Several years later, wanting to be closer to her sons, she returned to Los Angeles and obtained a real estate license, like her eldest sister, Kay. In 1995, she landed a small part as the "Madam" in '' Wild Bill''. In 1998, she appeared as herself in the
Kevin Burns Kevin Burns (June 18, 1955September 27, 2020), was an American television and film producer, director, and screenwriter. His work can be seen on A&E, National Geographic Channel, E!, Animal Planet, AMC, Bravo, WE tv, Travel Channel, Lifetim ...
TV documentary ''Behind the Planet of the Apes'' about the making of the first five ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
'' films. In October 1998, Harrison attended her first science fiction convention in New Jersey. Also in attendance were
Jonathan Harris Jonathan Harris (born Jonathan Daniel Charasuchin, November 6, 1914 – November 3, 2002) was an American character actor whose career included more than 500 television and film appearances, as well as voiceovers. Two of his best-known roles we ...
,
Marta Kristen Marta Kristen is a Norwegian-born American actress. Kristen is best known for her role as Judy Robinson, the oldest child of Professor John Robinson and his wife, Maureen, in the television series ''Lost in Space'' (1965–1968). Her character w ...
,
Mark Goddard Mark Goddard (born Charles Harvey Goddard; July 24, 1936) is an American actor who has starred in a number of television programs. He is probably best known for portraying Major Don West in the CBS series ''Lost in Space'' (1965–1968). He a ...
and
Angela Cartwright Angela Margaret Cartwright (born September 9, 1952) is a British actress primarily known for her roles in movies and television. On television, she played Linda Williams, the stepdaughter of Danny Williams (played by Danny Thomas) in the long- ...
, of the original ''
Lost in Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series fo ...
'' TV series;
Lou Ferrigno Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr. (; born November 9, 1951) is an American actor and retired professional bodybuilder. As a bodybuilder, Ferrigno won an IFBB Mr. America title and two consecutive IFBB Mr. Universe titles; and appeared in the documentar ...
of ''
The Incredible Hulk The Hulk is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in the debut issue of '' The Incredible Hulk'' (May 1962). In his comic book a ...
'' TV series; and Bela Lugosi Jr. and Sara Karloff. Harrison found it "rewarding when you really haven't done anything for a number of years and then, all of a sudden, people want your autograph. It was very gratifying." Eventually, Harrison became an institution at Planet of the Apes cons. "I like it. It's very good. You're being appreciated for your work." In 2001, she had a cameo as the "Woman in Cart" in
Tim Burton Timothy Walter Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for his gothic fantasy and horror films such as ''Beetlejuice'' (1988), ''Edward Scissorhands'' (1990), ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (1993), ...
's remake of ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
''. "They are much more brutal in the new movie," she said. "And strong. They literally hurl the humans 50 or 60 feet." Most of the footage Harrison shot was omitted from the final, so "if you blink you miss me. They showed my shots all over the place, but it got cut out." In 2013, Harrison began filming ''Midnight Massacre'', on which she served as executive producer and co-star. The post-apocalyptic thriller, set in the near future, is loosely based on
Shakespeare's William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...
''
Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, and ...
''.


Awards

In 2008, the 40th anniversary of the release of ''Planet of the Apes'', Harrison traveled to Catalonia, Spain, where on October 11, she was awarded the Maria Honorifica at the
Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya The Sitges Film Festival ( ca, Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya, links=no) is an annual film festival held in Sitges, Spain, specialized in fantasy and horror films, of which it is considered one of the world's foremost in ...
in recognition of her career.Festival de Sitges: premio a Linda Harrison


Filmography


Films


Television


Ancestry


References


External links


Interview with Linda Harrison (Part 1)(Part 2)(Part 3)
(2014)
Nova Speaks: A Conversation with Linda Harrison
(2012)
Linda Harrison Tribute
(2009)
Festival de Sitges: premio a Linda Harrison
(2008)

(2003)
Meet Actress Linda Harrison
(1999)
Linda Harrison Interview
(1998)
Interview with Linda Harrison
(1998)
Woman of the Apes
(1994)

(1992) * * ttp://cultsirens.com/harrison/harrison.htm Cult Sirens: Linda Harrison
Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen: Linda Harrison


Further reading

* Marlys J. Harris. ''The Zanucks of Hollywood: The Dark Legacy of an American Dynasty'' (Crown 1989) * Charlton Heston. ''The Actor's Life: Journals, 1956–1976'' (New York, NY: E.P. Dutton 1978) * David Hofstede. ''Planet of the Apes: An Unofficial Companion'' (ECW Press 2001) * Tom Lisanti. ''Fantasy Femmes of Sixties Cinema: Interviews with 20 Actresses from Biker, Beach, and Elvis Movies'' (McFarland & Company 2001) * Joe Russo, Larry Landsman, Edward Gross. ''Planet of the Apes Revisited: The Behind-the-scenes Story of the Classic Science Fiction Saga'' (St. Martin's Griffin 2001) *
Stephen M. Silverman Stephen M. Silverman is an American biographer, journalist, and editor. He was chief entertainment correspondent for the ''New York Post'' from 1977 to 1988,
. ''The Fox That Got Away: The Last Days of the Zanuck Dynasty at Twentieth Century-Fox'' (Lyle Stuart 1988) * Chris Strodder, Michelle Phillips. ''The Encyclopedia of Sixties Cool: A Celebration of the Grooviest People, Events, and Artifacts of the 1960s'' (Santa Monica Press 2007) * Tom Weaver. ''It Came from Horrorwood: Interviews with Moviemakers in the SF and Horror Tradition'' (McFarland 2004), {{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, Linda 1945 births Living people Actresses from Maryland American film actresses American film producers American people of English descent American people of Welsh descent American television actresses American women film directors American women film producers English-language film directors Film directors from Maryland 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses