Melinda Culea

Melinda Culea
Born (1955-05-05) May 5, 1955
Western Springs, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation Actress, artist, writer
Years active 1979-present
Spouse(s) Peter Markle (1996-present)

Melinda Culea (born May 5, 1955 in Western Springs, Illinois) is an American film and television actress, who moved into acting after working as a model.[1] As of 2016, she is working as an author and artist. Her first book, "Wondago" an illustrated mystery novel released January 2016 by Griffith Moon Publishing.

The A-Team

Culea is best known for playing Amy Amanda Allen in the 1980s hit TV series The A-Team.[2] Her role was as a newspaper reporter who joined the team for the first season and half of the second season.[3]

Introduced in the feature-length pilot episode "Mexican Slayride",[3] her character was presented as feisty. However, Culea soon started to realize that her character had very little to do. Reportedly, star George Peppard did not like a female lead being part of the show, and made his feelings clear. Culea asked for her character to be involved in the team's fights, suggesting that Amy try to help, but she gets in the way - adding some comic relief. The producers resisted.[4] Culea was ultimately dropped from the series in 1983,[5] with her final appearance being in Season 2 Episode 12, "The White Ballot", although her character continued to be mentioned by the team during the show shortly thereafter. However, she could still be glimpsed very briefly on one of the scenes on the show's opening theme. This scene was used for the show's entire run.[6]

Other television roles

Culea has acted in a number of other TV roles, mainly during the 1980s and 1990s.

Shortly after leaving The A-Team, Culea gained a leading role as Terry Randolph in the short-lived series Glitter. Her other most substantial role was playing the recurring character Paula Vertosick on Knots Landing for two seasons, from 1988 to 1990.

She also made appearances on many other notable television series including Fantasy Island, Family Ties, St. Elsewhere, The X-Files, Star Trek: The Next Generation,[7] Brotherly Love,[8] Beverly Hills, 90210, and Murder, She Wrote.

Movie roles

Culea played the role of Constance Taylor in the movie Wagons East! (1994),[9] directed by her future husband Peter Markle, and played Anna in Dying on the Edge (2001).

Selected filmography

References

  1. ↑ Dangaard, Colin (1983) "Melinda Culea: The Struggle Goes on", Milwaukee Journal, 4 September 1983
  2. ↑ Jet, vol 64, 1983, p. 55
  3. 1 2 McNeil, Alex (1985) Total Television: A Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present, Penguin Books Australia; ISBN 978-0-14-007377-5, p. 10
  4. ↑ Jeff Jarvis (January 1984). "The A-Team Draws Fire". People Magazine. 21 (4). Retrieved November 16, 2011.
  5. ↑ "'A-Team's' Disgruntled Melinda Culea Will Be Replaced", Philadelphia Enquirer, October 18, 1983.
  6. ↑ "The A-Team: Season Two". DVD Box Set. Universal Studios.
  7. ↑ Roush, Matt (March 18, 1992). "`Star Trek' focuses on sexuality". USA Today.
  8. ↑ "Joey Lawrence's New Show a Family Affair". Chicago Tribune. August 29, 1995.
  9. ↑ Wilmington, Michael (1994) "Pitiful `Wagons East!' is a Sorry Farewell For John Candy", Chicago Tribune, August 26, 1994
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