Deborah Foreman may be one of the most popular of 80’s actresses who just walked away from it all. She didn’t just appear as an actress in many films of the decade, she was the star of them.
She began as a model in the early 80’s.
(I believe that this ad of hers was in every magazine of the early 80’s.)
She moved on to small roles in films like I’M DANCING AS FAST AS I CAN and a few TV movies, as well as an episode of FAMILY TIES. Then came the role she is probably still today best known for.
Julie in 1983’s VALLEY GIRL.
The instant classic, that also featured a then little known Nicolas Cage, is one of the most iconic films of the 80’s. The music (can you hear the Plimsouls without thinking of the film), the clothes, the dialogue, it defined the decade.
She had a cameo in Martha Coolidge’s follow up REAL GENIUS. Only on screen for two scenes, she had a very memorable role, where she tells Val Kilmer what her standards are for a date (hint: it involved hammering).
Next up, MY CHAUFFEUR. Another 80’s cult classic. Her winning smile saved this film, even for those that didn’t care for it.
Right there is enough to be remembered. But, like an infomercial, wait! There’s more!
1986’s APRIL FOOLS DAY was a big hit on video. My sister would routinely rent it from the video store and watch it with her friends. Playing two roles in this horror film, it still has a following today.
That was her last big theatrical film. What followed was a lot of direct to video work. Many of these were just supporting performances, not the starring roles of before.
There was 3:15 (a good high school gangs film with Adam Baldwin), DESTROYER (with Lyle Alzado), WAXWORK (which was popular enough to get a theatrical release), FRIENDS LOVERS AND LUNATICS, THE EXPERTS (known more for the fact that John Travolta met Kelly Preston during the filming), LOBSTER MEN FROM MARS and 1990’s SUNDOWN.
Her final film was 1991’s LUNATICS: A LOVE STORY. Actually filmed in 1989, this comedy produced by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell, and starring Sam’s brother Ted, seems to have disappeared completely. Video copies are extremely rare. It is one of her only films I have yet to see. (Note: I finally found a copy and will review it soon).
There was a 1995 TV appearance in a series called THE MARSHALL, but that was it.
So, what ever happened to her?
Back in the early days of Ebay, I was looking for some of Deborah’s films on Ebay. So, I typed her into the search box and what did I find?
Deborah Foreman herself! She was selling hand painted furniture. This was the late 90’s, but she was still out there. I didn’t buy anything from her (she was based in LA and I think it said you had to pick it up from her) but it was really her.
Since then, she was moved into other areas of artwork, including graphic design.
Most recently, she has become a Yoga Instructor. She even has her own website.
From the site:
Yoga = joy of life. Deborah believes yoga is a spiritual spring of unconditional love that creates openings, awareness in the body and has enhanced her quality of life. Yoga is a moving meditation, a journey inside discovering a higher life condition filled with compassion, acceptance and patience. Yoga is breath and deep connection with ourselves, each other and the world around us. Deborah can't help but smile when she says yoga, when she is around yoga or when she is doing yoga ... Yoga is her heartbeat ...
I tried contacting her several months ago about doing an interview. I didn’t hear back. From what I have heard, she has stepped away from the industry. She didn’t even appear on the extras for the VALLEY GIRL DVD (although there are photos of her at an anniversary screening).
The IMDB lists a 2008 film called BEAUTIFUL LOSER that she is doing a small role in. It appears to be a small independent film, where she has just a supporting role. So, maybe she will be back.
There is a quote on Deborah's website saying "Fame is proof that the people are gullible". I don't think there was anyone was gullible about Deborah's fame. She was one of the most likable performers of the era.
8 comments:
Starring in three cult classics and doing a memorable cameo opposite Val Kilmer is not a bad way to spend the '80s. Wherever Deborah Foreman is, I hope she is enjoying life.
Great article, Moviezzz. I don't know of any bloggers who put so much research into a series. That you actually attempt to contact your subjects - like a professional journalist or something - is quite an effort.
Thanks for this post! I'd read she'd gone headlong into the world of Yoga, but I had no idea about Beautiful Loser. Awesome!
She's one of my faves. She's so fantastic in April Fool's Day!
Valley Girl was perhaps my favorite film from the 80's, and that's saying something considering how much of an 80's person I am. All new wave, all the time.
Great source of information Deborah and I just watched the film again and it hasn't lost its appeal. Thanks for all the info. Nice job.
Thanks for the research! I was in the mood to watch Valley Girl tonight while I was eating my dinner and I was wondering what happened to her!! I had the special anniversary DVD and I was disappointed that she didn't participate in it. I would have preferred that over watching Nic Cage in those stupid sunglasses during his interview. She really was a natural in that movie and from your pics she still looks great.
My wife and I just finished watching the Valley Girl special editon disc and Deborah was visibly absent from the interviews, commentaries etc... Thus a quick google search got me here. Curious why she would not want to participate, obviously Hollywood was not that great to her. She was a beautiful young woman and looks like she is happy with who she is today, what more can you ask for. Great blog, thanks for doing some background work. Gotta love the internet!
I met up with her on her MySpace page and discussed yoga for a bit. But,she seemed pointedly distant from her Valley Girl past. So, I just didn't pursue it in our brief conversations. She is 100% into yoga, and still as beautiful as ever.
When I was in 7th or 8th grade, my next-door neighbor, who was going away to college, gave me a box of VHS tapes he didn't want anymore. In that box was April Fool's Day. The following summer, I bet I watched that movie 100 times! Yeah, I guess you could say I liked it.
I first saw deborah in valley girl I fell in love with her she is a total babe
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