| Jackie Swanson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 25, 1963 Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Occupation | Actress |
Jackie Swanson (born June 25, 1963) is an American actress. She is best known for her role on the American sitcom Cheers as Kelly Gaines, the rich and simple love interest of Woody Boyd.
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Swanson was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan; she was a successful sprinter on the track team. She studied classical music and plays piano. She studied abroad in Sweden for one year during high school. At age 16, Swanson raced Butterfly sailboats in The Butterfly Nationals on White Lake in White Hall, Michigan. Swanson later attended Northern Michigan University where she was a basketball cheerleader for the Men's NCAA Basketball Team. Swanson studied acting with Sanford Meisner in the Grenadines on the island of Bequia.
Swanson's maternal Great Uncle George Goodrich Lamb was Professor Of Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. The George Goodrich Lamb Papers are part of The Collections In University Archives in Library at Northwestern University Library. The papers document George Goodrich Lamb's teaching, professional career and personal life. Swanson's maternal grandfather, John "Jack" Lamb, was a graphic artist for The Grand Rapids Press in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Swanson's maternal and paternal grandparents resided in Heritage Hill Historic District in Grand Rapids, Michigan which is part of the National Register of Historic Places. Her parents were both born and raised in Heritage Hill Historic District.
In 1985, Swanson made her professional debut in the Prince video Raspberry Beret. She and Prince were friends. He wrote a song entitled Palomino Pleasure Ride for her. In 1987, Swanson made her feature debut in the opening scene of Lethal Weapon. She played Amanda Hunsaker, who falls to her death from a building onto the hood of a car. She performed this free-fall stunt from 35 feet into an airbag under the training of stuntman Dar Robinson. Lethal Weapon would be Swanson's first time working with cinematographer Steven Goldblatt. She worked with Steven Goldblatt again on Charlie Wilson's War.
In 1989, Swanson joined the cast of Cheers in the recurring role of Kelly Gaines. Her character was a pretty, wealthy, naïve, Lutheran girl, who would eventually marry Woody Boyd, played by Woody Harrelson. She continued to appear in the show until the series ended in 1993.
In 1991, she had a recurring role in the series Baby Talk. In 1992, Swanson appeared on the cover of TV Guide. Swanson modeled in runway show for Ralph Lauren. In 2002, she appeared in an automotive TV commercial in which she was seen driving to pick up her husband, who emerged from a submarine that popped through thick ice, in a GM vehicle.
Swanson has appeared in a number of National Ad Campaigns including a commercial for Broan directed by Academy Award winning director, Joachim Back. Stacy's Pita Chips, directed by Christian Loubek. Orville Redenbacher directed by Zach Math. Hummer directed by Nick Lewin. Also a P.S.A./ Partnership For A Drug Free America/Anti-Meth Campaign directed by Michael Patterson. Swanson also appeared in a commercial for Toyota wherein she portrayed the wife of Jim Belushi directed by Jeff Karnoff. Swanson also appeared in a National Ad Campaign for Ford Explorer directed by Eric Saarinen, son of the architect the late Eero Saarinen and grandson of the architect the late Eliel Saarinen.