Jeramie Rain (born Susan Davis; August 23, 1948) is an American screenwriter, producer, philanthropist and former actress. Rain began her career with starring roles in several local stage productions in Charleston before moving to New York City in the early 1970s. After appearing in a string of commercials, she made her film debut in the crime film The Abductors (1972), then became known for roles as Sadie in Wes Craven's controversial horror film The Last House on the Left (1972) and Willie Mae in Albert T. Viola's comedy film Preacherman Meets Widderwoman (1973).
Jeramie Rain | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Rain in 1988 | |
| Born | Susan Davis August 23, 1948 |
| Other names | Jeramie Rain Dreyfus Sue Davis Kristin Marle |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, screenwriter, producer |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Outside of film, Rain had a supporting role as Nurse Samantha Tolliver in the soap opera The Doctors (1972–77), followed by guest appearances on several soap operas, including General Hospital, and starring roles in off-Broadway productions, including 22 Years and The Fan Club. Rain quit acting in the mid-1970s and subsequently worked as a writer and producer for NBC and CBS. At the age of 28, Rain was diagnosed with systemic lupus and has launched several philanthropic efforts to bring awareness to the disease.
Early life
editRain was born as Susan Davis in Charleston, West Virginia, on August 23, 1948, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Davis. During her adolescent years, she worked with the Children's Theatre, Kanawha Players, and The Light Opera Guild. She graduated from George Washington High School in 1966, then moved to New York City in the early 1970s.[1]
Career
editAfter appearing in a string of commercials, Rain had a short stage, film and television acting career from 1972 to 1973.
Rain made her film debut as Jane in Don Schain's 1972 crime film The Abductors.[2] In January 1972, under the stage name Kristin Marle, Rain portrayed Sadie Mae Glutz (who was born only weeks before Rain) in the two-week run of 22 Years,[3] an off-Broadway musical production that revolved around the story of the Charles Manson murders.[4] She next appeared as Sadie in Wes Craven's controversial rape and revenge film The Last House on the Left (1972).[5]
Rain played Nurse Samantha Tolliver in the soap opera The Doctors from 1972 to 1977 and had guest appearances on General Hospital. In 1973, Rain was cast in the comedy film Preacherman Meets Widderwoman. After this role, Rain retired from acting and worked as a writer and producer at CBS. She worked in Rockefeller Center and the Los Angeles location.
In the early 1990s, she founded Mother's Touch, a Los Angeles-based charity that benefits children diagnosed with serious illnesses.[6] In 2000, David A. Szulkin interviewed Rain for his book Wes Craven's Last House on the Left, which tells the inside story of making the film.[7] In 2003, Rain appeared as herself in the documentary Celluloid Crime of the Century.
Personal life
editRain was a friend of John Belushi and tried to discourage him from using drugs.[8] She was diagnosed with systemic lupus at the age of 28, though she suffered from it all through her 20s. Her first pregnancy (1983) exacerbated her condition so severely that she could not hold her new daughter for two years due to the loss of use of both of her arms.[9] Rain married actor Richard Dreyfuss in 1983,[10][failed verification] and they had three children together before their 1995 divorce: Emily (born in 1983), Benjamin (born in 1986), and Harry (born in 1990).
In an interview in 2009, Rain—who once played Manson Family member Susan Atkins on stage—said that she was once picked up hitch-hiking by Tex Watson and Charles Manson, stayed in their van after her friends were dropped off, and that they later showed up at her aunt's house.[11]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Abductors | Jane | Feature film |
| 1972 | The Last House on the Left | Sadie | Feature film |
| 1973 | Preacherman Meets Widderwoman | Willie Mae (as Sue Davis) | Feature film |
| 2003 | Celluloid Crime of the Century | Herself | Documentary, short |
Theatre
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 22 Years | Sadie Mae Glutz (as Kristin Marle) | Off-Broadway |
| 1972 | The Fan Club | Supporting | Off-Broadway |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | The Female Instinct | Supporting | TV pilot |
| 1972 | General Hospital | Guest | 3 episodes |
| 1972-77 | The Doctors | Nurse Samantha Tolliver | 30 episodes |
| 1987 | The Simon Wiesenthal Center Annual Humanitarian Awards Honoring Anatoly Scharansky | Herself | TV special |
| 1987 | The Annual Entertainment Industry Honors Presents a Salute to Bud Grant | Herself | TV movie |
| 1991 | 1st Annual Environmental Media Awards | Herself | TV special |
References
edit- ^ Haas, Ann Johnston (December 28, 1972). "Charleston Girl Building Acting Career In N.Y." The Daily Mail Staff. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (January 29, 1972). "The Screen:'The Abductors' Begins Run at the DeMille". New York Times. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
- ^ Dietz, Dan (2012). Off Broadway Musicals, 1910–2007: Casts, Credits, Songs, Critical Reception and Performance Data of More Than 1,800 Shows. McFarland. p. 468. ISBN 9780786457311.
- ^ Towlson, Jon (2014). Subversive Horror Cinema: Countercultural Messages of Films from Frankenstein to the Present. McFarland. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-476-61533-2.
- ^ TRINITY OF TERRORS Guest Spotlight: The BADDIES of 1972's THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT! - Jeramie Rain Archived October 15, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Streisand first on bill for inaugural gala - 23 November 1992". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved March 29, 2007.
- ^ Szulkin, David (2000). Wes Craven's The Last House on the Left. FAB Press. ISBN 1903254019.
- ^ Woodward, Bob (2012). Wired: The Short Life & Fast Times of John Belushi. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-451-66598-7.
- ^ Lupus Sufferer Does Battle Against Silent Disease - May 7, 1990
- ^ The New York Times article on the divorce
- ^ "'Last House' Killer Lived in Tate Murder Mansion; Michael Berryman on 'Hills Have Eyes'". Hard Feelings. November 4, 2009. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
External links
edit- Jeramie Rain at IMDb