Lana Clarkson
Lana Clarkson (April 5, 1962 – February 3, 2003) was an American actress and fashion model.
In February 2003, Clarkson was fatally shot in the mansion of songwriter and producer Phil Spector. Spector was charged with the crime, and he was convicted of second degree murder on April 13, 2009.
Clarkson’s best known films may be her work with Roger Corman, appearing first in his fantasy film Deathstalker, as a female warrior/love interest to the title character played by Richard Hill. Clarkson’s work in Deathstalker led to her being offered the title role in Corman’s next film, Barbarian Queen the film gained cult status, in part due to an infamous scene where Clarkson is bound topless to a torture rack, interrogated, and raped.
In 1987, Clarkson appeared in the John Landis spoof Amazon Women on the Moon. Following that, Clarkson starred in Roger Corman’sBarbarian Queen sequel, Barbarian Queen II: The Empress Strikes Back, though the plots and characters bore no resemblance to the other film. Filmed in Mexico, the movie featured mud-wrestling Amazon women, magic sceptres, and (like its predecessor) several lengthy scenes where Clarkson is tortured nude on a stretching rack by a villain. Clarkson received star billing in the film which went directly to video.
Clarkson’s work in the B movie sci-fi genre inspired a cult following, making her a favorite at comic book conventions, where she made some promotional appearances signing autographs for her fans. She appeared in numerous other B movies as well as a range of television spots. Her television appearances include parts on Night Court, Silk Stalkings, Riptide, Three’s Company, Knight Rider and Wings, and a guest appearance as a villain on the television adaptation of Roger Corman’s film Black Scorpion in what would be her final role
