When she portrayed "Lyta Alexander" in the Hugo Award-winning sci-if series "The "Babylon 5" (1994)", Patricia Tallman was the most powerful telepath in the universe. Seems fitting, considering that the actress knew she was going to be in show business at the early age of two. It was then that she first appeared with her father, Jerry, on his Midwest radio show, soloing on "Bicycle Built for Two." ...
show all When she portrayed "Lyta Alexander" in the Hugo Award-winning sci-if series "The "Babylon 5" (1994)", Patricia Tallman was the most powerful telepath in the universe. Seems fitting, considering that the actress knew she was going to be in show business at the early age of two. It was then that she first appeared with her father, Jerry, on his Midwest radio show, soloing on "Bicycle Built for Two." By age 15 Pat was performing in summer stock at the Red Barn Theatre in Saugatuck, Michigan, doing ten shows in 11 weeks. She soon spent all of her high school vacations in professional summer stock, and eventually chose Carnegie Mellon University to earn her BFA in its prestigious theater arts program. While other theater majors waited tables, Pat worked her way through college performing in eighteen musicals at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Recognizing Pat's formidable talents, CMU presented her with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting. Immediately after college Pat moved to New York City, where she landed a role in the long-running off-Broadway hit "Big, Bad Burlesque". She went on to score other parts on the New York stage, including her favorite, "Rosalind" in the Riverside Shakespeare Company's production of "As You Like It". Television roles began shortly thereafter, when Pat was cast in a recurring role on the CBS soap opera, "Guiding Light, The" (1952)". This led to roles on virtually every New York-based daytime serial. Film roles were not far behind. George A. Romero contacted her to play a role in his feature "Knightriders (1981)", starring Ed Harris . This led to a long working relationship with him. Pat relocated to Los Angeles , where she again worked with Romero on "Creepshow 2 (1987)". The film she is perhaps best known for followed: George Romero and Tom Savini's remake of the 1968 cult classic, "Night of the Living Dead (1990)". The move to L.A. was a smart one, Pat discovered, as she was soon cast as undercover cop "Christy Russell" on NBC's "Generations" (1993)", and as an evil, sexy swashbuckler in the "Ring of the Musketeers (1992) (TV)". Other films include "Sweet Justice (1992)", "Benefit of the Doubt (1993)", "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)" and "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)". Television shows include "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987)", "Star Runner (1990) (TV)" (A USA Network pilot), "Dark Skies" (1996)", "Babylon 5" (1994)" and "The Universe and Harry Morgann" (an independent pilot). Pat's other projects include starring in the science-fiction thriller "Never Die Twice (2001)" and playing one of the leads, Lt. Richmond, in two audio plays, "Lives of the Cat" and "Anne Manx". In addition, her voice can be heard in the cartoon "Babylon 5" parodies "Babylon Park: Frightspace (1999)" and "Grudge Match" (2000)". Equally important to Patricia are her roles of mother to son her Julian, as well as her fund-raising activities for the children of Penny Lane. Through her tireless efforts within the science fiction community, Pat and her fans have contributed more than $250,000 to Penny Lane over the past several years, the bulk of which transformed the CARE Computer Lab dream into reality. Dedicated Patricia Tallman fans make a hobby of trying to spot her in her many stunt performances. An extremely athletic and fearless member of the Stunt Woman's Association of America, Pat has tumbled, slid and taken punches for the likes of Laura Dern (in "Jurassic Park (1993)"), Gates McFadden (in "Star Trek: Generations"), Geena Davis (in "Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)") and Hudson Leick (in "Chill Factor (1999)"). Pat's fans mean the world to her. To give her fans, and all SF fans, a home on the Internet, she and her husband founded The Galactic Gateway -- www.TheGalacticGateway.com -- where fans can chat, participate in message boards, download video clips and purchase guaranteed authentic merchandise. Many "Babylon 5" actors participate in the Gateway. Pat's roots as a stage actress have never left her, and she continues to tread the footlights in Los Angeles whenever film and TV work allow her the time. Her latest projects include "Jennifer Is Dead (2002)", a psychological horror short for which her performance is getting great reviews, and a guest spot on the popular TV series, "Without a Trace" (2002)". She also has two feature films in the works, "For Pete's Wake (2004)", a comic tale in which she plays a former actress mourning the unexpected death of her father, and "American Scary (2006)", a documentary about the nation's tradition of horror hosting, from Ghoulardi to Ghoul-A-Go-Go, in which she is one of the interviewees.
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