Denise Crosby

Denise Michelle Crosby was born on November 24, 1957 in Hollywood, California. Denise graduated from Hollywood High School in 1975 and attended Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz where she enrolled in the Drama Department. Forming part of the extensive Crosby family dynasty, this striking leading actress, daughter of entertainer 'Dennis Crosby' (qv), has appeared in film and television since the early 1980s. A photo spread in a 1979 issue of Playboy magazine and a role in the soap opera _Days of Our Lives (1965)_ (qv) in 1980 allowed Denise to break through to stardom. She had a small role in _48 Hrs. (1982)_ (qv), playing the villain's girlfriend, and parts in _Trail of the Pink Panther (1982)_ (qv) and _Curse of the Pink Panther (1983)_ (qv) (both critically unsuccessful). Her career began to pick up in the mid-1980s. She appeared in a variety of films and made-for-TV movies, including _Stark (1985)_ (qv), _Malice in Wonderland (1985)_ (qv) (playing 'Carole Lombard' (qv)), _Desert Hearts (1985)_ (qv), _Eliminators (1986)_ (qv) and _Miracle Mile (1988)_ (qv).In 1987, Denise caught her big break playing Lieutenant Tasha Yar in _Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)_ (qv). Although not a huge role, the character allowed Denise to build a sizable fan base that exists to this day. In 1988, she left the series due to the diminishing size of her role, but returned as a guest star in the early 1990s. In 1989, she played the mother of a dead toddler who was brought back to life through an ancient curse in 'Stephen King' (qv)'s somewhat hokey horror novel film adaptation _Pet Sematary (1989)_ (qv). Remaining in the horror genre, Denise played a similar role of a mother who discovers her young daughter's doll is evil in the _Child's Play (1988)_ (qv) clone _Dolly Dearest (1991)_ (qv).The 1990s brought few opportunities to Denise, but she worked consistently, appearing in a television series in 1993, and made numerous guest appearances, including a couple of episodes of the raunchy cable series _Red Shoe Diaries (1992)_ (qv), which were subsequently released on video. There were also roles in _Wiege des Terrors (1994)_ (qv), _Mutant Species (1995)_ (qv), _Killing Dreams (1995)_ (qv) and _Executive Power (1997)_ (qv). More high-profile work arrived in the form of a small role in _Jackie Brown (1997)_ (qv), playing a public defender, and a sizable part as a pregnant mother in the hit disaster movie _Deep Impact (1998)_ (qv). She gained recognition as a "Star Trek" fan by producing and presenting _Trekkies (1997)_ (qv) and its sequel _Trekkies 2 (2004)_ (qv).Since 2000, Denise has appeared on television in guest roles on _The X-Files (1993)_ (qv), _JAG (1995)_ (qv), _The Agency - Im Fadenkreuz der C.I.A. (2001)_ (qv), _Threat Matrix (2003)_ (qv), _Eyes (2005)_ (qv) and _Dexter (2006)_ (qv). She acted in the award-winning short film _The Bus Stops Here (2003)_ (qv), had a leading role in the western/horror indie film _Legend of the Phantom Rider (2002)_ (qv) and has recently appeared in a horror film by legendary genre director 'Tobe Hooper' (qv), _Mortuary (2005)_ (qv). This capable actress continues to appear on television and in film. Best known for her "Star Trek" days, Denise embraces her fans often at conventions and was appearing opposite her husband 'Ken Sylk' (qv) in the drama film _Ripple Effect (2007)_ (qv).::A. Nonymous