Join us in welcoming actress and author Diane Franklin to Oxnard College!
OC LIVE is proud to present: “The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the ’80s: An Evening with Diane Franklin” on Tuesday, October 28th, at 6pm in our beautiful Performing Arts Building.
DIANE FRANKLIN is an American actress who starred in many iconic 80s cult films. She is recognized for her dark curly hair, dialects and acting versatility. Her professional career began at the age of ten, in NYC, as a child model. She then moved on, working in commercials (Reeses, Coke, Maxwell House) voice-over, a soap opera (As the World Turns) and Equity theater.
In 1982 she won her first film role as the “dream girl,” Karen, in the teen coming of age film, “The Last American Virgin.” That same year, Diane was cast to play the daughter from an abusive household, in the horror classic, “Amityville II: The Possession.” Diane also starred in the CBS television movie “SummerGirl” and an ABC mystery “Deadly Lessons.” She recurred on several NBC TV series, as well as guest-starred on such shows as “Charles in Charge,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Matlock,” and “Freddy’s Nightmares.”
In 1985, Diane won her most beloved role, as the spirited French-exchange student, Monique Junot, in the cult-comedy “Better Off Dead,” playing opposite lead actor, John Cusack. She also starred in the horror-comedy “TerrorVision” and “How I Got Into College.”
But Diane is perhaps best known for her role as the Medieval princess playing opposite legendary actor, Keanu Reeves in the time-traveling comedy, “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” (1989)
Diane won “Best Actress” award for her work in the short film “Pareidolia,” “Best Supporting Actress” award for her role in the film “Falling Up,” received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” and sang a solo of the “National Anthem” in 2004 at Dodger Stadium.
In addition, Diane attended NYU, graduated with a BA in English from CSUN, and is also a credentialed Performing Arts teacher for the Rio School District. Diane has written three memoirs: “Excellent Adventures..,” “Excellent Curls..,” and most recently “Diane Franklin: The Excellent Comedy of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s. The ‘Better Off Dead’ tribute book.”
She is married to screen, television and animation writer, Ray DeLaurentis for over 35 years. Their daughter, Olivia DeLaurentis, is a professional comedy writer and actress based in Los Angeles. Their son, Nicholas DeLaurentis, is a professional orchestral bass player, based in Chicago.
This is a FREE event that is open to the public. No tickets are necessary. Parking is FREE in Lot “H.” Find all of our livestreams and event information on the web at oxnardcollege/oclive.
Oxnard College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
El Colegio de Oxnard no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad u orientación sexual.
