Fans of the hit 1980s sitcom Three’s Company would no doubt be familiar with the name Priscilla Barnes. The actress, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than four decades, has racked up a wealth of screen credits. From dancing to directing to acting and even film production, fame has been a rocky road to fame for the passionate entertainer. Learn amazing facts about the veteran actress.
Priscilla Barnes – biography
A native of New Jersey, Priscilla Barnes was born on December 7, 1954. No information is available on the identity of her parents, but we do know that her father is a US Air Force veteran. Although born in Fort Dix, Priscilla and her three siblings grew up in different cities due to the nature of their father’s work. Barnes attended various schools as a child due to the ever-moving family, but eventually dropped out of Antelope Valley High School after they settled in Lancaster, California.
Priscilla Barnes had always been interested in the performing arts and once cherished dreams of becoming a professional dancer. As a teenager, she was part of a dance group called The Vivacious Vixens. However, Priscilla’s pro-dance dreams were automatically halted after she sustained a serious leg injury during a performance. Despite the setback, Barnes refused to give up her career in entertainment and instead switched to acting.
After high school, Barnes moved to San Diego in pursuit of a showbiz career. Entering the competitive industry was not easy. While Priscilla foresaw and waited for a breakthrough, she had to earn a living doing odd jobs like waiting tables.
Barnes was endowed with gorgeous looks and also tried her hands at modeling by entering some prestigious beauty pageants. During a fashion show in 1973, she met Bob Hope, who offered her a spot in his dance company performing at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Working with Bob was Priscilla’s first big break and an opportunity to showcase her talents on a larger platform. She later moved to Los Angeles to plant greener pastures.
Movies and TV Shows
After a few auditions, Priscilla Barnes debuted on the acting scene with a supporting role in the 1976 series Cannon . After performing well in her first role, she soon got other jobs, most of which were minor gigs. Some of her other subsequent screen credits include Tintorera and For No Reason both of which were released in 1977, Texas Detour (1978), The Elderly (1978), Delta Fox (1979), and Sunday Lovers (1980). On the small screen she appeared in The Rockford Files (1974-1980), Taxi (1978-1983), The Love Boat(1977-1987), and The American Girls (1978).
Priscilla Barnes got her big break in 1981 after landing a starring role as nurse Terri Alden on the hit sitcom Three’s Company . Although the show aired in 1977, Priscilla joined the cast four years later as a replacement for actress Suzanne Somers. Three’s Company What was a commercial success is arguably Barnes’ greatest screen credit to date. After that, Priscilla showed more on the small screen, some of which are The Love Boat (1977-1987), Murder She Wrote (1984 – 1996), Hotel (1983-1988), Dark Justice (1991-1993) and Viper (1994- 1999).
On screen, she had a supporting role in the 1989 film Bond, License to Kill . Priscilla had more horror roles like Stepfather III (1992), Witch Academy (1995), Unseen Evil 2 (2004) and The Devil’s Rejects (2005). More recently, she had a recurring role as Magda Andel on the CW series Jane the Virgin.
Barnes also has credits behind the camera. She has produced a few films such as Sex Sells: The Making of Touché (2005), The A Plate (2011) and 88 Miles to Moscow (2013).
Priscilla Barnes Married Life
Priscilla Barnes is one of those stars who prefer to keep their professional and personal lives separate. For reasons best known to her, Priscilla decides to keep the latter under the radar. Still, it’s no secret that she’s married to fellow actress Ted Monte. While there’s no information on how and when they met, we do know that they officially tied the knot in 2003 and have remained inseparable ever since. Before Monte, Priscilla dated several other celebrities. She has been romantically linked to actors Gary DeVore and Joel Schur in the past.
Wealth (income and earnings)
Priscilla Barnes has been active in the entertainment industry for more than four decades. Her versatility and talent are evidenced in an extensive list of screen credits. As expected, Barnes’ numerous endeavors have garnered her a sizable financial portfolio. She has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.