View source for Patricia Tallman

{{Short description|American actress and stunt performer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Patricia Tallman
| image              = Pat Tallman by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption            = Tallman in 2013
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1957|9|4}}
| birth_name         = Patricia J. Tallman
| birth_place        = [[Pontiac, Illinois]], U.S.
| known_for          = ''[[Babylon 5]]''<br>''[[Night of the Living Dead (1990 film)|Night of the Living Dead]]''<br>''[[Generations (U.S. TV series)|Generations]]''
| othername          = {{Ubl
  |Pat J. Tallman
  |Pat Tallman
}}
| occupation         = {{Ubl
  |[[Actress]]
  |[[Stunt performer]]
}}
| yearsactive        = 1980–present
| spouse             = {{Marriage|Jeffrey Willerth|1999|2008|end=div.}}, {{Marriage|Glenn Morrissey|2022}}
| partner            = [[J. Michael Straczynski]] (2002–2013)
| children           = 1
| education          = [[Carnegie Mellon University]] ([[Bachelor of Fine Arts|BFA]])
}}
'''Patricia J. Tallman''' (born September 4, 1957) is an American [[actress]], [[stunt performer]], and [[studio executive]] best known for her roles in ''[[Night of the Living Dead (1990 film)|Night of the Living Dead]]'', ''[[Star Trek]]'' and ''[[Babylon 5]]''. She is the former CEO and executive producer of [[Studio JMS]].

== Early life and education ==
Patricia Tallman is the daughter of Jerry Tallman, a radio entertainer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Patricia Tallman Biography (1957-)|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/2/Patricia-Tallman.html|access-date=2012-10-10|website=www.filmreference.com}}</ref> After graduating from [[Glenbard West High School]] in [[Glen Ellyn, Illinois]] in 1975,<ref>{{Cite web|title=1975 Glenbard West High School|url=https://www.classmates.com/yearbooks/Glenbard-West-High-School/63247?page=150|access-date=2014-08-27|website=[[classmates.com]]}}</ref> she joined the theater arts program of [[Carnegie Mellon University]], which awarded her a [[Bachelor of Fine Arts]] degree.<ref name="PATTref001">{{Cite book|last=Tallman|first=Patricia|title=Pleasure Thresholds|publisher=Publishing 180|year=2011|isbn=978-0-9821005-2-3}}</ref>{{Rp|19}}<ref name="DNLA">{{Cite news|last1=Arar|first1=Yardena|date=1990-10-24|title=Tallman Tumbles into Big-Time Role – 'Living Dead' Actress Dislikes Horror Pictures|page=L21|work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0EF60E7DDF4EEC47&f=basic|access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref>

== Career ==
In television, Tallman worked on the soap opera ''[[Generations (U.S. TV series)|Generations]]''. Later, she had guest-starring roles on ''[[Tales from the Darkside]]'', as well as the science-fiction shows ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'', and ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''. As an actress and stunt performer, she worked on 50 episodes across the ''Star Trek'' franchise. Tallman played [[Lyta Alexander]] in the ''Babylon 5'' series pilot, recurring in seasons two and three, and starring in seasons four and five.<ref name="DN">{{Cite news|last1=Pierce|first1=Scott D.|date=1990-10-25|title='Babylon 5' full of surprises|page=S3|work=[[Deseret News]]|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F364C8890C6697A&f=basic|access-date=2018-07-20}}</ref> Tallman collaborated with fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus [[George A. Romero]] on several films, including ''[[Knightriders]]'', ''[[Monkey Shines (film)|Monkey Shines]]'', and ''[[Creepshow 2]]'' (in which Tallman performed stunts).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mennenga|first=Michael R.|date=2005-07-28|title=Slice of SciFi #17: Interview with Patricia Tallman|url=http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2005/07/28/slice-of-sci-fi-017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190834/http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2005/07/28/slice-of-sci-fi-017|archive-date=2007-09-27|access-date=2012-10-10|website=www.sliceofscifi.com}}</ref>

In 1990, Tallman starred as Barbara in the [[Tom Savini]]-directed [[Night of the Living Dead (1990 film)|remake]] of the 1968 film ''[[Night of the Living Dead]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-10-21|title=TRINITY OF TERRORS Updates & More!|url=http://www.fangoria.com/eventsmain/weekend-of-horrors/woh-updates/118-las-vegas-2009/4350-trinity-of-terrors-updates-a-more.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021083314/http://www.fangoria.com/eventsmain/weekend-of-horrors/woh-updates/118-las-vegas-2009/4350-trinity-of-terrors-updates-a-more.html|archive-date=2009-10-21|access-date=2021-02-21|website=[[Fangoria]]}}</ref><ref name="DNLA"/> In 1992, she played the Possessed Witch under heavy make-up in the cult classic ''[[Army of Darkness]]'', as well as the Witch in the modern day scenes.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

In 1993, Tallman's most notable stunt work came as stunt double for [[Laura Dern]] throughout [[Steven Spielberg]]'s ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]''. In addition, she served as stunt double for [[Laurel Holloman]], who portrayed [[vampire hunter]] [[Justine Cooper (Angel)|Justine Cooper]] in the series ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'', a photo of Tallman was also used as the photo of Justine Cooper's dead twin sister.<ref name='PATTref001'/> In a 2001 episode of the TV series ''[[Sheena (TV series)|Sheena]]'', she guest-starred as the villain Caroline Dula.

Tallman appeared in the 2002 psychological horror short, ''Jennifer Is Dead'', the black comedy ''For Pete's Wake!'', and guest spots on ''[[Without a Trace]]'' and ''[[Castle (TV series)|Castle]]''. Tallman appeared in ''[[InAlienable]]'' (2008) and the horror film ''[[Dead Air (2009 film)|Dead Air]]'' (2009). Tallman played Holly in ''[[Atlas Shrugged: Part II]]'' (2012).

Tallman has performed voice roles including playing the leading part of evil detective Jean Richmond in the Radio Repertory Company of America's production of ''Lives of the Cat'' and in some of the Anne Manx sequels (sold as radio plays on CD).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Radio Repertory Company of America|url=http://www.rrca.com/lives.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126140509/http://www.rrca.com/lives.html|archive-date=2020-01-26|access-date=2012-02-25|website=www.rrca.com}}</ref>

In 2011, Tallman published her autobiography ''Pleasure Thresholds'', the title inspired by the scene she auditioned to earn the role of Lyta Alexander.<ref name='PATTref001'/>

In 2012, Tallman became CEO and executive producer of [[Studio JMS]] in partnership with her then-boyfriend, [[J. Michael Straczynski]], the creator of ''[[Babylon 5]]''.<ref name="PTref009">{{Cite news|last=Dave|first=McNary|date=2013-02-01|title=Motion Picture Capital backs 'Flickering Light'|newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/motion-picture-capital-backs-flickering-light-1118065553/|access-date=2013-02-17}}</ref> In 2013, she left the company.<ref name="DepartCEO">{{Cite web|title=The Team|url=http://www.studiojms.com/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603164034/http://www.studiojms.com/|archive-date=2013-06-03|access-date=2021-02-21|website=studiojms.com}}</ref>

In May 2014, Tallman played the male role of Lespere in a theatrical production of Ray Bradbury's ''[[The Illustrated Man#"Kaleidoscope"|Kaleidoscope]]'' at Sci-Fest LA 2014, a theater festival.<ref name="PATTref012">{{Cite news|last=Sutton|first=Angie Fiedler|date=2014-05-08|title=Science Fiction … Theatre?: Sci-Fest Launches With a Bang|newspaper=scifi4me.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517090226/http://scifi4me.com/2014/05/08/science-fiction-theatre-sci-fest-launches-with-a-bang/|access-date=2014-05-10|url=http://scifi4me.com/2014/05/08/science-fiction-theatre-sci-fest-launches-with-a-bang/|archive-date=2016-05-17}}</ref> The following year Tallman played the wife in a comedy called ''[[A Logic Named Joe|A Logic Called Joe]]'' at the second Sci-Fest LA.<ref name="PATTref013">
{{Cite news|last=Boiselle|first=Matt|date=2015-05-11|title=Patricia Tallman Talks Returning to the Stage for Sci-Fest L.A.|newspaper=[[Dread Central]]|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/100791/patricia-tallman-talks-working-on-the-stage-and-screen/|access-date=2015-05-13}}</ref>

In 2016, Tallman started Quest Retreats, a VIP adventure excursion company with annual events in Hawaii, London, New Zealand, and South Africa.<ref name="Quest">{{Cite web|title=About Pat|url=http://www.questretreats.com/about-pat/|access-date=2018-11-08|website=www.questretreats.com}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Tallman met Andrea Rogantini when he was the executive chef at Prego Ristorante in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Perry|first=Charles|date=1993-08-08|title=THE PREGO PATTERN : Nearly 10 Years Old, This Beverly Hills Ristorante Is Still la Epitome di Una Trattoria|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-08-tm-21543-story.html|access-date=2018-11-08}}</ref> Rogantini is the father of her only child, a son named Julian Tallman.<ref name="PATTref001" />{{Rp|246}} Tallman later met Jeffrey Willerth when she was acting on ''[[Babylon 5]]'' (1993–1998), where he was an associate producer. They were married in 1999, separated several years later and divorced in 2008.<ref name='PATTref001'/>{{Rp|250}}

Tallman met [[J. Michael Straczynski]] (JMS) when she was acting on ''Babylon 5'', a series which he created. The two entered into a relationship some time after Straczynski separated from his wife, [[Kathryn M. Drennan]], in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=685270231507843&id=139652459402959 |title=Hang with JMS: "Before I get into any of this... |first=J. Michael |last=Straczynski |publisher=[[Facebook]] |date=2013-12-08 |access-date=2018-11-08}}</ref><ref name=JMSNews>{{Cite web |url=http://www.jmsnews.com/Forums/showpost.php?p=119056&postcount=173 |title=Interesting JMS Facebook Posts & Tweets |first=J. Michael |last=Straczynski |publisher=JMSNews |date= 2014-01-01 |access-date=2018-11-08}}</ref> They separated in 2013.<ref name=PTref010>{{Cite news |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118065553 |title=Motion Picture Capital backs 'Flickering Light' |first=Dave |last=McNary |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2013-02-01 |access-date=2018-11-08}}</ref><ref name=DepartCEO/>

Tallman married actor and writer Glenn Morrissey in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Patricia Tallman |url=https://www.patriciatallman.com/about-patricia-tallman/ |website=Patricia Tallman's Magical Living |date=19 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Patricia Tallman |url=https://ozcomiccon.com/patricia-tallman/ |website=Oz Comic-Con |language=en-AU}}</ref>

Tallman is a leading fund-raiser for Penny Lane, a center for abused children in California.<ref name="PATTref001" />{{Rp|255}} {{As of|2017}}, she has been leading their annual “Be a Santa Toy Drive” for more than 20 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pat's holiday effort for the children of Penny Lane|url=https://beasanta.org|access-date=2018-11-08|website=beasanta.org}}</ref>

== Selected filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1981
|''[[Knightriders]]''
|Julie
|
|-
|1982
|''[[Stuck on You!]]''
|Queen Guenevere
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1988
|''[[Tales from the Darkside]]''
|Janice Perry
|Episode: "Family Reunion"
|-
|''[[Monkey Shines (film)|Monkey Shines]]''
|Party Guest
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1989
|''[[Generations (U.S. TV series)|Generations]]''
|Christy Russell
|12 episodes
|-
|''[[Road House (1989 film)|Road House]]''
|Bandstand Babe
|
|-
|''[[Hard Time on Planet Earth]]''
|Frances
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1990
|''[[Night of the Living Dead (1990 film)|Night of the Living Dead]]''
|Barbara
|
|-
|data-sort-value="Flash, The" | ''[[The Flash (1990 TV series)|The Flash]]''
|Kidnapper
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1992
|''[[Army of Darkness]]''
|Possessed Witch
|
|-
|[[:de:Der Ring der Musketiere|''Der Ring der Musketiere'']]
|Woman Imposter
|TV film
|-
|''[[Sweet Justice]]''
|Josie
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1993
|''[[Babylon 5: The Gathering]]''
|[[Lyta Alexander]]
|TV film
|-
|''[[Benefit of the Doubt (1993 film)|Benefit of the Doubt]]''
|Karen's Mother
|
|-
| ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]''
| Laura Dern's Stunt Double
|
|-
|1992–1993
|''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''
|Alien #2 / Kiros / Security Officer
|3 episodes (uncredited stunt work)
|-
|1993–1996
|''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''
|Nurse Tagana / Weapons Officer / Nima
|3 episodes (uncredited stunt work)
|-
|1994
|''[[Clifford (film)|Clifford]]''
|Flight Attendant on Rolling Cart
|
|-
|1993–1998
|''[[Babylon 5]]''
|Lyta Alexander
|47 episodes
|-
|1996–1997
|''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''
|Taresian Woman / Operations Division Officer
|2 episodes (uncredited stunt work)
|-
|1998
|''[[Babylon 5: Thirdspace]]''
|Lyta Alexander
|TV film
|-
|2001
|''[[Sheena (TV series)|Sheena]]''
|Caroline Dula
|Episode: "The Darkness"
|-
|2004–2007
|''[[Without a Trace]]''
|Linda / Latte Woman / Off-Duty Police Officer
|3 episodes (uncredited)
|-
|2007
|''For Pete's Wake!''
|Alisa Fox
|
|-
|2008
|''[[InAlienable]]''
|Dr. Klein
|
|-
|2009
|''[[Dead Air (2009 film)|Dead Air]]''
|Lucy
|
|-
|2010
|''[[Castle (TV series)|Castle]]''
|Vivian Marchand (uncredited)
|Episode: "He's Dead, She's Dead"
|-
|2012
|''[[Atlas Shrugged: Part II]]''
|Holly
|
|-
|2014
|''[[Criminal Minds (TV series)|Criminal Minds]]''
|Captain Margot Nolan
|Episode: "A Thousand Suns"
|-
|2017
|''Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose''
|Rose Jensen
|-
|2023
|''[[Babylon 5: The Road Home]]''
| Lyta Alexander
| Voice; Direct-to-Video<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/babylon-5-the-road-home-voice-cast-unveiled-1235483312/ | title='Babylon 5: The Road Home' Voice Cast Unveiled (Exclusive) | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=May 10, 2023 }}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Patricia Tallman}}
* {{IMDb name|0848191}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{facebook|PatriciaTallmanPage}}
*{{rotten-tomatoes-person|patricia_tallman}}
*{{Amg name|69696}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tallman, Patricia}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Illinois]]
[[Category:American soap opera actresses]]
[[Category:American stunt performers]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Glen Ellyn, Illinois]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts alumni]]
[[Category:American women chief executives]]