Bonnie Bedelia is a 76-year-old talented American actress who began her entertainment career as a ballet dancer before opting for the big screens. Following her official movie debut with The Gypsy Moths in 1968, Bedelia also starred in several critically acclaimed movies and TV series including Parenthood (2010) and Panic (2021).
Stemming from a family of entertainers, the mother of two has stayed on top of her game since after she decided to give up her toe shoes in favor of acting.
Short Biography of Bonnie Bedelia
Born in the Manhattan borough of New York City to her parents; Marian Ethel and Philip Harle Culkin, Bonnie trained in ballet and acting from a tender age. According to the American actress, her parents who were also familiar with the entertainment space encouraged her and her siblings – Kit Terry, Terry Culkin, and Candace Culkin to pursue their career dreams.
Regarding her education, Bonnie attended Quintano School for Young Professionals in New York. She also studied dance at the School of American Ballet and trained at HB Studio.
Bedelia married scriptwriter Ken Luber on April 24, 1969, the same year she made her film debut. The couple had two sons, Uri and Jonah before divorcing in 1980. She was married briefly to musician and screenwriter Jay Telfer in 1975. After divorcing Jay, she again tied the knot with actor Michael MacRae in 1995.
Career Highlight and Filmography of Bonnie Bedelia
As earlier stated, Bedelia began her career as a ballet dancer before completely moving to the screens. From her early career days, Bonnie earned strong reviews for her touching performance in My Sweet Charlie, for which she won the 1967 Theatre World Award for “promising new artist”. In the movie, she starred as a young pregnant Southern girl. Her subsequent performances earned her better reviews until she was slowed down by family duties after marrying Ken Luber in 1969.
Notwithstanding, the American actress made a big comeback on the movie trail in the early 1980s when she played the role of race car driver ‘Shirley Muldowney’ in Heart Like a Wheel (1983).
In addition to Bedelia’s impressive works in subsequent movies such as Violets Are Blue (1986) and The Prince of Pennsylvania (1988), she found another niche in TV movies like Switched at Birth (1991), A Mother’s Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story (1992), Any Mother’s Son (1997) and To Live Again (1998).
Bonnie Bedelia’s more recent independent movie credits include The Hill (2023), The Noel Diary (2022), and Violet (2021).
Meanwhile, the American actress is also well recognized for starring in Parenthood (2010) where she played ‘Camille’, a family matriarch opposite Craig T. Nelson who starred as Zeek Braverman. In the series, Camille is considered the backbone of the family and is always there for her family members when faced with different issues. Despite being intelligent and sincere, her counsel isn’t always what her children want to hear.
Parenthood was a six-season American family comedy-drama that aired from March 2, 2010, to January 29, 2015. Television critics gave the show high marks, and it won many nominations and honors, including three PRISM Awards from the Entertainment Industries Council, four Young Artist Awards, two Television Academy Honors, and one Vision Award.
A Quick look at Bonnie’s works
Filmography
- The Hill – 2023
- The Noel Diary – 2022
- Violet – 2021
- A Stone in the Water – 2019
- The Scent of Rain and Lightning – 2017
- A Very Sordid Wedding – 2017
- Broken Links – 2016
- Munchausen – 2013
- Berkeley – 2005
- Manhood – 2003
- Sordid Lives – 2000
- Anywhere But Here – 1999
- Gloria – 1999
- Bad Manners – 1997
- Judicial Consent – 1994
- Speechless – 1994
- Needful Things – 1993
- Presumed Innocent – 1990
- Die Hard 2 – 1990
- Fat Man and Little Boy – 1989
- Die Hard – 1990
- The Prince of Pennsylvania – 1988
- The Stranger – 1987
- Like Father Like Son – 1987
- The Boy Who Could Fly – 1986
- Violets Are Blue – 1986
- Death of an Angel – 1986
- Heart Like a Wheel – 1986
- The Big Fix – 1978
- Between Friends – 1973
- The Strange Vengence of Rosalie – 1972
- In Pursuit of Treasure – 1972
- Lovers and Other Strangers – 1970
- They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? – 1969
- The Gypsy Moths – 1969
Bonnie’s Television films
- Christmas on the Coast – 2017
- A Joyous Christmas – 2017
- Picnic – 2017
- Flowers for Algernon – 2000
- Locked in Silence – 1999
- To Live Again – 1998
- Any Mother’s Son – 1997
- Her Costly Affair – 1996
- A Season in Purgatory – 1996
- Homecoming – 1996
- Shadow of a Doubt – 1995
- Legacy of Sin: TheWilliam Coit Story – 1995
- The Fire Next Time – 1993
- A Mother’s Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story – 1992
- Switched at the Birth – 1991
- Somebody Has to Shoot the Picture – 1990
- When the Time Comes – 1987
- Alex: The Life of a Child – 1986
- The Lady from Yesterday – 1985
- Memorial Day – 1983
- Million Dollar Infield – 1982
- Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story – 1980
- Tourist – 1980
- Salem’s Lot – 1979
- Walking Through the Fire – 1979
- A Question of Love – 1979
- Heatwave! – 1974
- Message to My Daughter – 1973
- A Time for Love – 1973
- Sandcastles – 1972
- Then Came Bronson – 1969
Bonnie’s Television series
- Panic – 2021
- What/If – 2019
- Designated Survivor – 2017
- Parenthood – 2010 – 2015
- Sordid Lives: The Series – 2008
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – 2008
- Big Love – 2007
- The Division – 2001 – 2004
- The Outer Limits – 1996
- Fallen Angels – 1993
- The New Land – 1974
- Love Story – 1973
- Hawkins – 1973
- Bonanza – 1969, 1972
- Then Came Bronson – 1969
- The High Chaparral – 1968
- Judd for the Defense – 1968
- East Side/West Side – 1964
- Love of Life – 1961-1967
- Playhouse 90 – 1958
Throughout her career, Bonnie Bedelia has received several recognition and commendation for her outstanding talents. Her earliest award was in the year 1967 when she won the Theatre World Award for her performance in My Sweet Charlie.Below is a list of her awards and nominations
- FilmOut Festival Award – 2017 – won
- Ojai Film Festival – 2012 – won
- Emmy Award – 2000 – nominated
- Lone Star Film & Television Awards – 1999 – won
- CableACE Award – 1997 – nominated
- Emmy Award – 1994 – nominated
- Independent Spirit Awards – 1994 – nominated
- Golden Globe Award – 1984 – nominated
- Theatre World Award – 1967 – won
