Deanna Lund
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Deanna Lund (May 30, 1937 – June 22, 2018) was an American film and television actress best known for her role in the
Irwin Allen Irwin Allen (born Irwin O. Cohen, June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991) was an American film and television producer and director, known for his work in science fiction, then later as the "Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film genr ...
television series ''
Land of the Giants ''Land of the Giants'' is a one-hour American science fiction television series that aired on ABC for two seasons, beginning on September 22, 1968 and ending on March 22, 1970. The show was created and produced by Irwin Allen. ''Land of the Gi ...
'', in which she played the character of Valerie Ames Scott.


Early years

Lund was the daughter of attorney Arthur Lund, who at one time served in the legislature of Illinois. The family moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, when she was eight. She dropped out of Rollins College, where she was studying drama, to get married. Before becoming an actress, she attended modeling school and worked as a secretary. Later, she did commercials on television and became a weather person at a television station.


Career

Lund's early career included minor roles in the 1960s spy film parodies ''
Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine ''Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine'' is a 1965 American International Pictures comedy film, made in Pathécolor, directed by Norman Taurog. It stars Vincent Price, Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, Susan Hart and Jack Mullaney, and features F ...
'' (1965) and '' Dimension 5'' (1966), as well as the horror film '' Sting of Death'' (1965), the beach film ''
Out of Sight ''Out of Sight'' is a 1998 American crime comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Scott Frank, adapted from Elmore Leonard's 1996 novel of the same name. The first of several collaborations between Soderbergh and actor Georg ...
'' (1966), and the western ''
Johnny Tiger ''Johnny Tiger'' (1966) is a Florida Western film directed by Paul Wendkos, starring Robert Taylor, Chad Everett, and Geraldine Brooks. The Universal Studios film was shot in Central Florida in 1965, with the city of Longwood, Florida substit ...
'' (1966). She appeared as a lesbian stripper in the 1967 Frank Sinatra movie ''
Tony Rome ''Tony Rome'' is a 1967 American neo-noir mystery crime thriller film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Frank Sinatra in the title role, alongside Jill St. John, Sue Lyon and Gena Rowlands. It was adapted from Marvin H. Albert's novel '' ...
'', but Lund was so embarrassed by the role that she had her name removed from the credits. Her performance was favorably received and led to a starring role in
Irwin Allen Irwin Allen (born Irwin O. Cohen, June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991) was an American film and television producer and director, known for his work in science fiction, then later as the "Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film genr ...
's television series ''
Land of the Giants ''Land of the Giants'' is a one-hour American science fiction television series that aired on ABC for two seasons, beginning on September 22, 1968 and ending on March 22, 1970. The show was created and produced by Irwin Allen. ''Land of the Gi ...
''. While waiting for filming to start, Lund was offered the part of Rosemary's friend Terry Gionoffrio in '' Rosemary's Baby'' but had to decline when, despite
Roman Polanski Raymond Roman Thierry Polański , group=lower-alpha, name=note_a ( né Liebling; 18 August 1933) is a French-Polish film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, tw ...
's assurances, Allen did not believe she would be finished in time. ''Valerie in Giantland'', a novella written by Lund, is based on the ''Land of the Giants'' series, and set ten years later; written from the point of view of Lund's character, Valerie Ames. In 1976, she appeared on the drama ''General Hospital'' as Peggy Lowell, the secretary and mistress of Cameron Faulkner, who was played by Lund's husband Don Matheson. Her later films included the Jerry Lewis comedy '' Hardly Working'' (1980), '' Stick'' (1985) starring Burt Reynolds, and horror movies such as the Christmas horror film ''
Elves An elf () is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic mythology and folklore. Elves appear especially in North Germanic mythology. They are subsequently mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Icelandic Prose Edda. He distinguishes " ...
'' (1989), ''Witch Story'' (1989), and the comedy '' Transylvania Twist'' (1989).


Personal life

Lund dropped out of college to marry her high school sweetheart. They had two children but divorced after four years. After ''Land of the Giants'' was cancelled, she married co-star Don Matheson, but they were divorced in the late 1970s. Their daughter, Michele Matheson, is also an actress. Lund is an alumna of Rollins College in
Winter Park, Florida Winter Park is a city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 30,183 according to the 2022 census population estimate. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Park was f ...
. In 1995, she dated
Larry King Larry King (born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger; November 19, 1933 – January 23, 2021) was an American television and radio host, whose awards included 2 Peabodys, an Emmy and 10 Cable ACE Awards. Over his career, he hosted over 50,000 interviews. ...
. The couple were engaged five weeks after they met but the relationship ended before they could be married. Lund died on June 22, 2018, at her home in
Century City, California Century City is a 176-acre (71.2 ha) neighborhood and business district in Los Angeles, California. Located on the Westside to the south of Santa Monica Boulevard around 10 miles (16 km) west of Downtown Los Angeles, Century City is one of ...
, of pancreatic cancer, aged 81.


Filmography


References


External links

* *
Deanna Lund Official Website

Deanna Lund at Sixties Cinema
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lund, Deanna 1937 births 2018 deaths American people of Swedish descent American film actresses American television actresses Actresses from Illinois Rollins College alumni Actors from Oak Park, Illinois Deaths from pancreatic cancer Deaths from cancer in California 21st-century American women