Lana CLARKSON, Chart
Born April 5, 1962 at 12:00 PM (unknown) in Long Beach (CA) (USA)
Lana Jean Clarkson (April 5, 1962 – February 3, 2003) was an American actress and fashion model. She was born in Long Beach, California.

Early life
Born in Southern California to Donna and James Clarkson, Lana was native of Los Angeles County, but raised in Napa Valley. Clarkson grew up as a country girl with a passion for nature, an avid horseback rider and natural athlete. While living in Northern California Lana attended Cloverdale High School and also PUC Prep School. During the Christmas of 1978 Clarkson's family moved to Los Angeles, California and Lana pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a performer. At the age of 18, she aspired to become a fashion model. In the early 1980s, Clarkson quickly landed bit parts in film and television. In 1982, Lana made her screen debut in director Amy Heckerling's seminal coming of age high school comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Career
Clarkson is best known for her film work with Roger Corman, appearing first in his fantasy epic Deathstalker (1983). Her work as a sword-wielding vixen led to her being offered the title role in Corman's next film, the cult classic Barbarian Queen (1985), a role Corman has fondly referred to as 'the original Xena.' Clarkson reprised her role in a sequel titled Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back (1989). In 1987 she appeared in the John Landis spoof Amazon Women on the Moon. Lana's work in that genre inspired a cult following, making her a favorite at comic book conventions, where she made some promotional appearances signing autographs for her fans. She was always working with the best in the business, gaining invaluable knowledge and discipline.

She is also remembered for her brief role as Mrs. Vargas from the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. She also appeared in numerous B movies as well as a range of television and appearing in commercials for Mercedes-Benz, Kmart, Nike, Mattel, and Anheuser-Busch. Her television appearances include parts on Night Court, Silk Stalkings, Riptide, Three's Company, Knight Rider and Wings.

Lana found herself traveling around the United States and Europe while working on high fashion photo shoots. Other projects took Lana to Japan, Argentina, Italy, Switzerland, France, and Mexico. Clarkson is also remembered as a very talented and beautiful actress and fashion model.

She volunteered weekly at the AIDS charity "Angel Food Project" which deliver food for those in Los Angeles disabled by HIV or AIDS.

As she approached her thirties, however Clarkson's career began to stall. No longer able to earn living as an actress, Clarkson sought alternate routes of employment. In 2001 while living on the canals in Venice, California for the last several years, Clarkson decided to bring her versatility as a performer to the public eye. She developed, wrote, produced and directed a showcase reel entitled Lana Unleashed to steer her career in a new direction. To make ends meet, she took a side job in early January 2003 at one of LA's trendiest nightspots, House of Blues in West Hollywood, California.

Death
On the evening of February 2, 2003, Clarkson met legendary music producer Phil Spector at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, where she worked that night. After her shift ended Lana accepted Spector's invitation for a drink in his home. Later in the early morning hours of February 3, 2003, she was found dead in a foyer in Spector's mansion in Alhambra, California. The coroner's report stated that Lana died from a single gunshot to her mouth. According to affidavits, when the police arrived at the address, they were surprised to find it was the home of the celebrated music producer. Inside police found Phil Spector. He stated that Lana Clarkson shot herself and it was an accidental suicide.

Spector's murder trial
After Clarkson's death, Spector was arrested in the morning hours of February 3, 2003 and released on bond of $1,000,000, and remained free since. On September 27, 2004, Spector was formally charged by California authorities with Clarkson's murder. Spector denies the allegations, claiming Clarkson's death was an accidental suicide. During the trial one of the coroners who performed Clarkson's autopsy testified that Clarkson's death looked more like a homicide than a suicide. As of September 26, 2007, the judge Larry Paul Fidler declared a mistrial because the jury was unable to reach a verdict. The office of the Los Angeles District Attorney announced on September 27, 2007 their intention to re-try the case, expected to go forward in the spring of 2008.

Final resting place
Clarkson's private funeral service was held on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. Her remains had been cremated and interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, in the Columbarium Rotunda attached to the Chapel in Hollywood, California.

Source : Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

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