Nancy Valen

Nancy Valen
Born (1965-12-16) December 16, 1965
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Other names Nancy Valin
Nancy Van Patten
Occupation Actress, producer
Years active 1985–present
Spouse(s) Nels Van Patten (m. 1994)

Nancy Valen (born December 16, 1965) is an American actress and television producer. She is best known for portraying Captain Samantha Thomas on Baywatch.

Early life

Nancy Valen was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Hallandale, Florida. 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 City 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.

Career

Acting

Valen made her film debut in Porky's Revenge (1985), 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 NBC's short-lived musical series Hull High under the direction of Kenny Ortega. After the series premiere, TV Guide proclaimed her "the most agreeably watchable new star on TV". Valen has also guest starred on 23 series including Hardball, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Friends, Spin City, Boy Meets World, Miami Vice, and Murder She Wrote.

Valen has also hosted 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, Time Life The Heart of Classic Rock, and the Instyler.

Valen has appeared as a guest on Leno, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Day L.A. and on the covers and pages of magazines and newspapers including American Women, FHM, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, and The Los Angeles Times Calendar.

Producing

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.

As an Executive Producer/reality series creator, Valen has partnered with a wide variety of companies including Whoop Inc., Renegade83, 44 Blue, Target, and Intuitive Entertainment. Currently Nancy is partnered with Authentic Entertainment on the series WHEN STAMIE MET TRACY. The series follows two former The Real L Word stars as they raise their three children with their extended modern family. In addition, Valen works with Jarrett Creative Group in partnership with the Biography Channel for the networks’ highest rated series, Celebrity Ghost Stories and the hit series, Celebrity Close Calls.

In the scripted world, Valen has partnered with VH1, ABC, FOX Television and Emmy award winning producer, Tony To. Valen is in development and is a Co-Executive Producer on ACTION HEROES INC. for ABC/Fox Studios. The action-comedy movie franchise stars William Shatner, Robert Wagner and Lee Majors as three former TV heroes turned real life detectives.

Personal life

Since October 1994, Valen has been married to Nels Van Patten (son of actor Dick Van Patten).

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1985 Porky's Revenge! Ginger
1985 Heavenly Kid, TheThe Heavenly Kid Melissa
1989 Big Picture, TheThe Big Picture Young Sharon
1989 Loverboy Jenny Gordon
1989 Listen to Me Mia
1992 Final Embrace Candy Vale / Laurel Parrish
1993 Little Devils: The Birth Lynn
1994 Seven Sundays Nicky
1998 Black Thunder Mela
2003 Written in Blood Mary Ramson
2007 Wager, TheThe Wager Tanya Steele

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1985 Miami Vice Lana Episode: "The Home Invaders"
1986 Ryan's Hope Melinda Weaver 1 episode
1988 Charles in Charge Tammy Episode: "Barbelles"
1989 Murder, She Wrote Selina Williams Waverly Episode: "Night of the Tarantula"
1989 Baywatch Hallie Episode: "Panic at Malibu Pier"
1990 Hull High Donna Breedlove Main role (8 episodes)
1990 Saved by the Bell Jennifer Episode: "From Nurse to Worse"
1991 Young Riders, TheThe Young Riders Samantha Edgars Episode: "Color Blind"
1991 Full House Lisa Green Episode: "Take My Sister, Please"
1992 Murder, She Wrote Lily Roland Episode: "Danse Diabolique"
1992 Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing Mala Sikorski TV film
1993 Silk Stalkings Sylvia DeCastro Episode: "Team Spirit"
1994 Silk Stalkings Dr. Jillian Dupree Episodes: "Natural Selection: Parts 1 & 2"
1994 Fortune Hunter Madison Reynolds Episode: "The Cursed Dagger"
1994 Walker, Texas Ranger Laura Episodes: "Something in the Shadows: Parts 1 & 2"
1994 Hardball Jennifer Episode: "Pilot"
1994 Boy Meets World Ms. Kelly Episode: "Pairing Off"
1995 Friends Lorraine Episode: "The One with the Candy Hearts"
1996–1997 Baywatch Samantha Thomas Main role (22 episodes)
1997 Viper Bianca Carson Episode: "Whistle Blower"
1998 Dune 2000 Fremen Kari (voice) Video game
1999 Love Boat: The Next Wave, TheThe Love Boat: The Next Wave Leslie Episode: "Other People's Business"
2001 Black Scorpion Det. Angela Archer / Angel of Death Episode: "Kiss of Death"
2002 Spin City Ashley Episode: "Sex, Lies and Video Date"
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