Carol Adrienne

Adrienne Jo Barbeau, who uses the pen name Carol Adrienne, is an American actress and author born in 1945. She gained recognition in the 1970s for her stage work, including originating the role of Betty Rizzo in Broadway's "Grease," and for her television role as Carol Traynor on the sitcom "Maude." Her career expanded into horror and science fiction films in the 1980s with appearances in "The Fog," "Escape from New York," and "Creepshow." Barbeau also lent her voice to Catwoman in the DC Animated Universe and appeared in the HBO series "Carnivàle" in the early 2000s.

Beyond her acting career, Barbeau has explored other creative avenues. She released a folk music album and has written an autobiography. Her role in "Carnivàle," an HBO series set in the American Dust Bowl during the Great Depression, featured a cast of characters with unusual abilities and explored themes that touched upon mysticism and spirituality. This role, alongside her extensive work in genre films, has contributed to her diverse artistic profile.

Born Adrienne Jo Barbeau in Sacramento, California, she developed an early interest in show business, participating in USO tours. She moved to New York City in the late 1960s, initially working as a go-go dancer before making her Broadway debut. Her stage career included roles in "Fiddler on the Roof" and the off-Broadway musical "Stag Movie." She received critical acclaim and a Tony Award nomination for her performance as Rizzo in the original Broadway production of "Grease." This period established her as a notable presence in musical theater.

Barbeau achieved widespread recognition in the 1970s as Carol Traynor on the popular sitcom "Maude." Her role on the series, which ran from 1972 to 1978, showcased her comedic talent. In the 1980s, she transitioned into horror and science fiction films, a genre she would become closely associated with. Her collaborations with director John Carpenter, including "The Fog" and "Escape from New York," cemented her status as a genre film star. She also appeared in other notable films like "Creepshow" and "Swamp Thing."

In the 2000s, Barbeau took on a role in the critically acclaimed HBO series "Carnivàle." The show, set during the Great Depression, featured a traveling carnival troupe and explored themes of good versus evil, mysticism, and prophecy, aligning with esoteric interests. Her performance as Ruthie garnered attention for its depth. She has also continued to work in animation, notably as the voice of Catwoman, and has appeared in various other television shows and films throughout her career, maintaining a consistent presence in the entertainment industry.

“What I didn't know is that when I said [my lines] I was usually walking down a flight of stairs and no one was even listening to me. They were just watching my breasts precede me.”

“John is a great director. He knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. It's simple and it's easy [working with him].”

“I was doing an interview for this one-woman show that I am doing and the interviewer asked, 'What do people usually ask you,' and I said, 'They always want to know what it was like working with Bea.' She was fantastic and, you know, I realized years later how much I took it for granted because it was my first experience on television. I just assumed that everyone was as giving as she was, as professional as she was, that everyone who was doing a TV show showed up knowing their lines and showed up on time and was willing to say to the writers, 'I think this line was funnier if Adie had said it or Conrad had said it or Bill had said it.' I mean, she was just the best, she was the best, very funny. She was not Maude when she wasn't saying those lines. I don't know if I'd say she was quiet. She was a homebody. She had her sons, her dog and her cooking and she wasn't into the celebrity scene and she was a great lady. I loved her dearly and we had a great cast and they were my family for six years. I loved each of them and all of them and it was the best experience anyone could've had, being introduced to television like that!”