​Diane Franklin

80s Babe Biography

​

​​​DIANE FRANKLIN is an American actress, best known for her performances as a teen ingenue, in films and television during the 1980s. Beginning her professional career at age ten, Diane began as a child model, transitioned into commercials and voice-overs, and worked the soap opera ATWT, and EQUITY theater.

 

Her first film role was at age 19, in the role of Karen, in Cannon Films, teen comedy, THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN (1982). She was selected out of hundreds of girls to play the role. Diane's long, dark, curly hair was introduced and kick-starting the curly hair trend of the 80s.

​

Diane's next film role was that of a troubled daughter, Patricia Montelli, who was a victim of incest and family abuse, in Dino DeLaurentis' horror classic, AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION (1982.) Diane next starred in two movies for television: DEADLY LESSONS (ABC) with Ally Sheedy, and SUMMERGIRL (CBS) with Barry Bostwick.

​

Diane also had guest-starring roles on several TV series such as CHARLES IN CHARGE, MURDER SHE WROTE, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS, MATLOCK and FREDDY's NIGHTMARES.

​

In 1985, Diane won her most beloved role, as the spirited French-exchange student, Monique Junot, in the hilarious, cult comedy, BETTER OFF DEAD (1985.) She continued her film career , starring in the cult parody, TERRORVISION (1987), and 20th Century Fox comedy, HOW I GOT INTO COLLEGE (1989), and earned commercial recognition for her performance as the medieval babe, Princess Elizabeth, in the time-traveling comedy BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (1989).

​

Diane's MOST RECENT work can be seen on HULU, PEACOCK and ABC. PRANK PANAL: FAMILY MATTERS, HIGH HOLIDAY, WAKING NIGHTMARE, TED BUNDY: AMERICAN BOOGEYMAN, AMITYVILLE MURDERS, WALLY GOT WASTED, SKIN (Documentary), THE FINAL INTERVIEW, and short films, FALLING UP and PAREIDOLIA. Upcoming series is RIDING WITH PRIDE, and DEAD MAN'S PARTY and BAMPIRE.

​

Diane is the author of three books: DIANE FRANKLIN: The Excellent ADVENTURES of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s (Autobiography,) and DIANE FRANKLIN: The Excellent CURLS of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s (Behind the scenes of "The Last American Virgin"), and a tribute book on the making of the comedy classic, BETTER OFF DEAD. She also sang the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium in 2004. 

​

Diane lives in Los Angeles with husband, writer Ray DeLaurentis. She has two children: comedy writer/actress, OLIVIA DELAURENTIS (TikToc, American Boogeyman) and composer/ musician, NICK DELAURENTIS (Spotify.)

​

​