Jillian Kesner-Graver

Jillian Kesner-Graver (August 9, 1949 – December 5, 2007) was an American actress and historian who worked with her husband, Gary Graver, to preserve the work and legacy of director Orson Welles. She was best known as an actress for playing Fonzie's girlfriend, Lorraine, on Happy Days.[1]

Jillian Kesner-Graver
Jillian Kesner with Michael Cavanaugh filming Inferno in 1996
Born
Jillian Kesner

August 9, 1949
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
DiedDecember 5, 2007(2007-12-05) (aged 58)
Irvine, California, U.S.
OccupationActress, film historian
Years active1976-2006
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 1981; died 2006)

Early life

Kesner-Graver was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. Her father was in the United States Navy and she spent much of her childhood in Denver, Colorado. She first moved to Los Angeles in 1959 where she worked as a model before getting into television and movie acting.[2]

Career

Kesner-Graver was best known for playing Fonzie's girlfriend, Lorraine, on Happy Days. She was credited as Jillian Kesner on Happy Days, as well as her other television and movie roles. She appeared in a large number of "B-rated" films throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Her credits included Raw Force, Starhops and Jaded. She developed a large following among fans of B-level action films.[1]

She appeared on a number of television shows, including Three's Company, The Rockford Files and Mork & Mindy. She met her husband, director and cinematographer, Gary Graver, on the set of the film The Student Body in 1976.[1]

Death

Jillian Kesner-Graver died on December 5, 2007 in Irvine, California of complications from a staph infection, which she contracted after having been diagnosed with leukemia. She was 58 years old.[2]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1976The Student BodyCarrie
1978StarhopsAngel
1980Ang agila at ang falcon
1981FirecrackerSusanne Carteraka Naked Fist in Australia
1982Raw ForceCookie Winchellaka Kung Fu Cannibals
Trick or TreatsAndrea
1987Moon in ScorpioClaire
Evil TownDorothy
1989JadedSara
Beverly Hills VampClaudia
1992Roots of EvilBrenda
1996Subliminal SeductionCherlMade for TV Movie
1997Operation CobraJasmineaka Inferno

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1975S.W.A.T.Miss CaliforniaGuest Star
1976The Blue KnightLady in swimsuitGuest Star
Happy DaysPatty PetrolungaGuest Star
1977The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesPaula ClarkGuest Star
Happy DaysLorraineGuest Star
1979Co-ed FeverMelbaMain cast
The Rockford FilesLily ShowalterGuest Star
The RopersLinda GrahamGuest Star
1981Three's CompanyThe SisterGuest Star
1982Mork & MindyJudiGuest Star
1983T.J. HookerCrystalGuest Star
gollark: What is a "real name" though, really?
gollark: ++remind 12h maybe
gollark: <@402456897812168705> Did you enjoy your GDollars™?
gollark: You may exchange these for goods and services.
gollark: 2^1036 GDollars™ have been railgunned to your location.

References
  1. Jillian Kesner-Graver on IMDb
  2. Death of Jillian Kesner-Graver, variety.com; accessed August 4, 2015.


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