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Crystal Carson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Crystal Carson
Photo by Michael Wallis.
Born
Nebraska, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Nebraska
Years active1986–present
SpousePeter Bradley (m.1990)
Children1
Websitecrystalcarson.com

Crystal Carson (born June 24)[1] is an American actress and acting coach. She is best known for playing Julia Barrett on the ABC soap opera General Hospital from 1991 to 1993. She is also an acting coach who has had many well known Hollywood clients.

Early life

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Carson was born in Nebraska. She is the oldest of four children. Her father, who managed the circulation department at the Omaha World Herald, died from cancer when Carson was seven. After her father's death, her mother took over his business and the circulation department was moved to their family home. Carson began answering phones, using different voices to respond. When Carson was a teenager, her mother remarried and had another child.[1]

After high school, Carson moved to New York, hoping to attend NYU, but she was rejected for a theater scholarship. She attended Long Island University, until her time there was cut short by arts funding cutbacks. She eventually graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in theater and a minor in computer science.[1]

Career

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She began acting as a teen in Nebraska, doing community theater and working as an extra in Terms of Endearment. After moving to New York, she was introduced to Sharon Gabet, who helped her get an audition for the CBS soap opera The Edge of Night. Carson turned down the offer of a one-year contract because she was about to begin classes at Long Island University.[1]

Carson played the role of Trish in the 1986 horror film The Zero Boys and Denise in the 1987 Madonna film Who's That Girl.[2][3] On television, she landed guest appearances on Thirtysomething and Simon & Simon.[3] In 1989, Carson had a recurring role on Dallas as Elaine Eddy, an actress who played Sue Ellen Ewing in a movie about her life.[3][1]

In the early 1990s, Carson guest starred on Cheers, Charles in Charge, and Midnight Caller. She appeared in the films Cartel and Hollywood Heartbreak. She starred as Kennedi Johnson in the comedy film Killer Tomatoes Strike Back with John Astin.[4][3] Carson also played Nora in the thriller Kiss and Be Killed.[5]

Carson played the contract role of Julia Barrett on the ABC soap opera General Hospital from 1991 to 1993, returning for guest appearances in 1997 and 1998.[3][6]

She guest starred on Ellen in 1994 and had a recurring role as Cmdr. Carpenter on JAG in 2002.[3] Carson also had a recurring role as Lydia in the 2015 web series Club 5150.[6]

Carson now has a full-time career as an acting coach, running the Auditioning By Heart acting school. Her clients have included Rachel Nichols, Isabel Lucas, Dylan Bruce, Ricardo Chavira, David Boreanaz, Tricia Helfer, and Paula Abdul.[7]

In 2024, she played Teresa in the romantic comedy film A Wall Away.[8]

Personal life

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Carson met her husband, computer programmer Peter Bradley, while she was waitressing at a bar in Lincoln, Nebraska. His car had broken down in front of the bar. They were married in July 1990 in a church on the Maine coastline, near Kennebunkport.[1] They have a daughter.[6]

Carson announced in 2021 that she was undergoing treatment for stage three breast cancer. She was initially misdiagnosed when her MRI results were misfiled under another woman's test results.[9]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Zero Boys Trish
1987 Who's That Girl Denise - Wendy's Friend
1990 Cartel Donna Grey
Hollywood Heartbreak Julie
1991 Killer Tomatoes Strike Back Kennedi Johnson
Kiss and Be Killed Nora
2024 A Wall Away Teresa

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1987 Thirtysomething Mother Episode: "Weaning"
1988 Simon & Simon Tawney Aldridge Episode: "Cloak of Danger"
1989 Dallas Elaine Eddy 5 episodes
Alien Nation Celeste Episode: "Fountain of Youth"
1990 Cheers Ingrid Episode: "Finally!: Part 1"
Charles in Charge Penny Hennesy Episode: "Almost Family"
1991 Shades of LA Heather Episode: "Ten Little Thespians"
Midnight Caller Crystal DeKanter Episode: "Play Blotto...and Die"
1991-1993;

1997;1998

General Hospital Julia Barrett Contract role;

Guest appearances

1994 Ellen Gwen Episode: "Mrs. Koger"
2002 JAG Cmdr. Carpenter 3 episodes
2015 Club 5150 Lydia 4 episodes

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Hallett, Lisa (February 4, 1992). "Crystal Clear". Soap Opera Digest. 17 (3): 68–71.
  2. ^ Cardullo, Paul (August 7, 2016). ""The Zero Boys" (1986): Jason vs . . . Frat Boys?". Gruesome Magazine. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Meet Crystal Carson of Auditioning by Heart in Lake Balboa". Voyage LA. August 6, 2019. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  4. ^ "Credits: Crystal Carson". TV Guide. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "Kiss and Be Killed - 1991". AV Club. Archived from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Brounstein, Diane (October 31, 2016). "Catching Up With Former General Hospital Star Crystal Carson". Soap Hub. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  7. ^ "LA Acting Coach Crystal Carson returns to Dublin for intensive workshop". Scannain. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "A Wall Away - 2024". AV Club. Archived from the original on February 10, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Maloney, Michael (26 May 2021). "GH Alum Crystal Carson Battling Stage 3 Breast Cancer". Soap Hub. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
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