Jillian Kesner-Graver
Jillian Kesner-Graver (August 9, 1949 – December 5, 2007) was an American actress and historian who worked with her husband, Gary Graver, to preserve the work and legacy of director Orson Welles.[1] She was best known as an actress for playing Fonzie's girlfriend, Lorraine, on Happy Days.[1]
Early life
Kesner-Graver was born in Portsmouth, Virginia,[1] on August 9, 1949. Her father was in the United States Navy and she spent much of her childhood in Denver, Colorado.[1] She first moved to Los Angeles in 1959 where she worked as a model before getting into television and movie acting.[1]
Career
Kesner-Graver was best known for playing Fonzie's girlfriend, Lorraine, on Happy Days. She was credited as Jillian Kesner on Happy Days, as well as her other television and movie roles.[1]
Kesner appeared in a large number of "B-rated" films throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Her credits included Raw Force, Starhops and Jaded.[1] She developed a large following among fans of B-level action films.[1] She also appeared on a number of television shows, including Three's Company, The Rockford Files and Mork & Mindy.[1]
She met her husband, director and cinematographer, Gary Graver, on the set of the film The Student Body in 1976.[1]
Death
Jillian Kesner-Graver died on December 5, 2007, in an Irvine, California, hospital of a staph infection.[1] She was 58 years old.[1]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1976 | The Student Body | Carrie | |
1978 | Starhops | Angel | |
1980 | Ang agila at ang falcon | ||
1981 | Firecracker | Susanne Carter | aka Naked Fist in Australia |
1982 | Raw Force | Cookie Winchell | aka Kung Fu Cannibals |
Trick or Treats | Andrea | ||
1987 | Moon in Scorpio | Claire | |
Evil Town | Dorothy | ||
1989 | Jaded | Sara | |
Beverly Hills Vamp | Claudia | ||
1992 | Roots of Evil | Brenda | |
1996 | Subliminal Seduction | Cherl | Made for TV Movie |
1997 | Operation Cobra | Jasmine | aka Inferno |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1975 | S.W.A.T. | Miss California | Guest Star |
1976 | The Blue Knight | Lady in swimsuit | Guest Star |
Happy Days | Patty Petrolunga | Guest Star | |
1977 | The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries | Paula Clark | Guest Star |
Happy Days | Lorraine | Guest Star | |
1979 | Co-ed Fever | Melba | Main cast |
The Rockford Files | Lily Showalter | Guest Star | |
The Ropers | Linda Graham | Guest Star | |
1981 | Three's Company | The Sister | Guest Star |
1982 | Mork & Mindy | Judi | Guest Star |
1983 | T.J. Hooker | Crystal | Guest Star |