| Nancy Valen | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 16, 1965 Hallandale Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Other names | Nancy Valin Nancy Van Patten |
| Occupation | Actress, producer |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse | Nels Van Patten (m. 1994–present) |
Nancy Valen (born December 16, 1965) is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on Baywatch.
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Nancy Valen was born and raised in Hallandale, Florida, on the beach of the southern Atlantic coast. By the time she was 12 years old, she was spending summers modeling in New York City and studied acting at Uta Hagen's HB Studios. After graduating from a performing arts high school in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Valen won a theatrical scholarship to the University of Florida. She ultimately declined the scholarship in favor of continuing her professional career in Miami. Meanwhile, she attended Broward Community College, where she studied theatre and paid for her tuition by modeling and acting, appearing in two episodes of Miami Vice.
After one year of college, Valen went to New York to pursue a theatrical career. Within one month of being in New York, she landed a series regular role on the daytime drama Ryan's Hope. Valen stayed with Ryan's Hope for two years before moving to Los Angeles to pursue other interests.
Valen made her film debut in the 1985 comedy film Porky's Revenge, followed by a role in The Heavenly Kid with Richard Mulligan and Jane Kaczmarek. In 1989, Valen co-starred alongside Patrick Dempsey in the film, Loverboy. She also had a small role opposite Kirk Cameron in the film Listen to Me. Her other film appearances include Seven Sundays alongside Molly Ringwald; directed by Academy Award-winning director, Jean-Charles Tacchella.
In addition to films, Valen has also appeared in various television series. In 1990, she guest starred in an episode of Saved by the Bell as the brand new school nurse at Bayside High, Jennifer. That same year, she co-starred in the short-lived musical series Hull High. After the series premiere, TV Guide proclaimed her "the most agreeably watchable new star on TV". Valen has also guest starred on Hardball, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, Spin City, Boy Meets World, Miami Vice, and Murder She Wrote.
Valen has also appeared in several infomercials for the Bun and Thigh Roller, Slam man, Thin 'n Sexy Body Wrap, Kevin Trudeau's Debt Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About, and the Instyler.
Valen, alongside Craig J. Nevius, formed Windmill Entertainment. Among the television programs she has produced include Living in TV Land, Chasing Farrah, William Shatner in Concert, and Let's Kill Scott Baio.
Since October 1994, Valen has been married to Nels Van Patten (son of actor Dick Van Patten). Her cousin is actress Talia Balsam.
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Porky's Revenge | Ginger | |
| The Heavenly Kid | Melissa | ||
| 1989 | The Big Picture | Young Sharon | |
| Loverboy | Jenny Gordon | ||
| Listen to Me | Mia | ||
| 1992 | Final Embrace | Candy Vale/Laurel Parrish | |
| 1993 | Little Devils: The Birth | Lynn | |
| 1994 | Seven Sundays | Nicky | Alternative title: Tous les jours dimanche |
| 1998 | Black Thunder | Mela | |
| 2000 | The Flunky | Cop | |
| 2002 | Written in Blood | Mary Ramson | |
| 2007 | The Wager | Tanya Steele | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Miami Vice | "Got a Light" Girl Lana |
2 episodes |
| 1985–1987 | Ryan's Hope | Melinda Weaver | Unknown episodes |
| 1988 | Charles in Charge | Tammy | 1 episode |
| 1989–1992 | Murder, She Wrote | Selina Williams Waverly Lily Roland |
2 episodes |
| 1990 | Saved by the Bell | Jennifer | 1 episode |
| Hull High | Donna Breedlove | 8 episodes | |
| 1991 | The Young Riders | Samantha Edgars | 1 episode |
| Full House | Lisa Green | 1 episode | |
| 1992 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing | Mala Sikorski | Television movie |
| 1993–1994 | Silk Stalkings | Sylvia DeCastro Dr. Jillian Dupree |
2 episodes |
| 1994 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Laura | 2 episodes |
| Hardball | Jennifer | 1 episode | |
| Fortune Hunter | Madison Reynolds | 1 episode | |
| Boy Meets World | Ms. Kelly | 1 episode | |
| 1995 | Friends | Lorraine | The One with the Candy Hearts |
| 1996–1997 | Baywatch | Samantha Thomas | 23 episodes |
| 1997 | Viper | Bianca Carson | 1 episode |
| 1994 | The Love Boat: The Next Wave | Leslie | 1 episode |
| 2001 | Black Scorpion | Angel of Death/Detective Angela Archer | 1 episode |
| 2002 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Neighbor | 1 episode |
| Spin City | Ashley | 1 episode | |