Rebecca Holden

Rebecca Holden (born 12 June, 1958) is an American actress and singer.

Rebecca Holden
Holden in 2009
Born (1958-06-12) June 12, 1958
Dallas, Texas, United States
Alma materJuilliard School
OccupationActress, singer
Home townDallas, Texas
Spouse(s)Bobby Vassallo
Websitehttp://www.rebeccaholden.com

Career


As a singer, actress, and entertainer, Rebecca Holden’s appearances have amassed a fan club with members from around the globe. Television viewers all over the world are familiar with Rebecca as the computer whiz (and KITT’s mechanic) on the NBC series “Knight Rider”, which still appears in syndication in most major markets throughout the U.S. and in over 200 foreign markets. She attained added recognizability from her role as the diabolical Elena on ABC’s “General Hospital” and from countless guest starring roles on such prime time shows as “Magnum P.I.”, “Love Boat”, “Three’s Company”, “Taxi”, “Night Court”, “Mike Hammer”, “Remington Steele”, “Matt Houston”, “Barney Miller”, and many others. Her movies have appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as festivals in Manila and Japan. Rebecca recently completed two new features in which she stars, “Hollywouldn’ts” and “Canaanland”, and also a lead role in a new pilot for Comedy Central. Her charitable work includes Toys for Tots, Feed the Children, Special Olympics, the Music in the Schools program, and Habitat for Humanity. She has served on the board for “Operation California”, participating in airlifts of medical aid to Ethiopia, as well as performing for “Live Aid,” and “Farm Aid” at Texas Stadium along with Willie Nelson. Appointed as the honorary Mayor of Universal City by MCA Chairman, Lew Wasserman, Rebecca served as goodwill ambassador to local and foreign dignitaries. Most recent events include the American Legion Event for Families of Military Support, US Super Nationals Chess Tournament, Virginia Governor Inaugural Prayer Breakfast, the Kids of Honor Gala, and she was the featured performer for the Celebrity Center Christmas Celebration and an added attraction in the Tribute Concert for Luther Vandross. Rebecca’s new recording of “Dreams Come True”, has been chosen as the inspirational theme for many recent charitable events at which she has performed including: The United Nations Humanitarian Summit, We Care For Humanity, YWCA Rhapsody Gala, Ventura Animal Rescue Benefit, Family Film Awards, Soulsational Wellness Festival, etc. Musically, Rebecca has performed in a diversity of styles. Classically trained as a voice major and piano minor in college, she has sung opera, and performed the lead roles in musical theater such as “Oliver” and “Damn Yankees”. She recorded a country album for Curb records, with her music videos appearing on TNN and CMT. She also recorded both a country and gospel album for BMG Records in Switzerland and toured internationally all over Europe and the Far East, even performing for the King of Malaysia. She had the honor of being the featured performer with the United States Air Force Band at a memorial for WWll veterans for which the President of the United States was the guest speaker. During Rebecca’s service as president of the Music City Christian Fellowship, she performed as singer and mistress of ceremonies for the Christian Country Music Awards and the Sunday gospel shows at the Grand Ole Opry. First discovered by a top talent agent while continuing her voice studies in NY, she became one of New York’s top models, landing the prestigious title of The Breck Girl, which led to magazine covers and countless other national commercials such as Ivory Soap, Dentyne, Kellogg’s, Gillette, Arrid, Chevrolet, and ultimately a major television and film career in Los Angeles. She serves as Mistress of Ceremonies, Performer and Speaker for many Charitable, Corporate, Church, Military, Sports & Political Events, and is in demand for her rendition of the National Anthem. Rebecca is also launching a new jewelry line which will be innovatively packaged with her new Duets CD entitled “Dreams Come True”. This album will include Rebecca singing with some of the greatest and most iconic male artists in the world. Her magnificent duet with Jon Secada of the center-piece song, “Dreams Come True”, based upon the famous classical Pachelbel’s Canon, has now become the #1 Most Popular & Most Requested Wedding Song on YouTube even before its release and has organically surpassed 40 Million views. It is also being recorded in Spanish with Jon and a new Club Remix by UK’s red-hot Club Junkies reprises the album. Rebecca is committed to spreading her message and the message of “Dreams Come True”: When you believe one person can make a difference (the “Knight Rider” theme), then you can make “DREAMS COME TRUE”. While continuing voice studies in New York City, Holden became a model best known as "the Breck Girl".[1] She went on to model on magazine covers and to film national commercials such as for Ivory Soap, Dentyne, Kellogg's, Chevrolet, Gillette, Playtex, Arrid, and 7 Up.[2]

Rebecca guest-starred on primetime shows such as The Love Boat, Magnum, P.I., Matt Houston, Three's Company, Taxi, Night Court, Mike Hammer, Remington Steele, Matt Houston, Barney Miller, Mike Hammer, Quincy, TJ Hooker, Police Squad and others.[2] She then joined the cast of the TV series Knight Rider in the series regular role of April Curtis during the show's second season (1983–1984).[3] Knight Rider has appeared in syndication in over 200 countries throughout the world.

She played the diabolical Elena on ABC's soap opera General Hospital, and later moved to Tennessee to help care for her ill sister. During this period she appeared in many stage plays and musicals such as the role of Nancy in "Oliver" and Lola in "Damn Yankees". Holden starred in a production of Baby, the Musical at the Boiler Room Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee [4]

In 2015, Holden starred in the feature Hollywouldn'ts, and also had a lead role in a pilot for Comedy Central.

She was co-host of the TNN dance show Dancin' at the Hot Spots in 1993. She continues to tour internationally with her music, and serves as an emcee and performer for various charitable and corporate events as well as for military and veterans affairs.

In 2009, Holden portrayed the character Beth in the movie adaptation of The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith.[5]

On May 15, 2017, filmmaker Richard Rossi announced Holden had been cast in the lead role of Sister Sara Sunday in the independent film Canaan Land.[6][7]

Music

While she was still a model, Holden formed a country music group and toured with it for two years.[1]

Classically trained as a voice major and piano minor in college, Holden has sung opera and performed the lead roles in such musicals as Oliver and Damn Yankees. She recorded a country album for Curb records, and her music videos have appeared on TNN and CMT. She recorded both a country and gospel album for BMG Records in Switzerland, and toured in Europe and Asia, including performing for the King of Malaysia. She was the featured performer with the United States Air Force Band at a memorial for World War II veterans. During Holden's service as president of the Music City Christian Fellowship, she performed as singer and mistress of ceremonies for the Christian Country Music Awards and the Sunday gospel shows at the Grand Ole Opry.

Holden charted two singles for TRA-Star Records in 1989: "The Truth Doesn't Always Rhyme" and "License to Steal". She recorded the album The Highway Runs Both Ways for Curb Records and a self-titled album for BMG Europe.[8]

In the early 2010s, Holden and Kevin Sasaki toured in "Together Forever", a musical tribute to Eydie Gormé and Steve Lawrence.[9]

Holden's most recent CD single release is "Dreams Come True", a duet with Tony LeBron. on Silver Blue/Summit Records.

Personal life

Holden married Bobby Vassallo, her childhood sweetheart.[10]

Public service

Holden has been active with the relief organizations Operation California, with charity work in Ethiopia, and Operation Texas, providing help to earthquake victims in Mexico City.[1]

Recognition

In 1989, Holden was recognized as both New Independent Artist and New Independent Female at the first Cash Box magazine Nashville Music Awards.[11]

Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1982 Dirty Hero Christene Adams Alternative title: Yogoreta eiyû
1988 The Sisterhood Alee Caged Woman
1989 Loverboy Anchovy woman
1991 Twenty Dollar Star Lisa
1992 The Hollywood Beach Murders Jamie
1999 Foolish Rebecca the Waitress
Lycanthrope Sheila Stein Alternative title: Bloody Moon
2001 Knight Chills Newscaster Direct-to-video release
Outlaw Prophet Molly
2005 From Venus The Avatrix
2009 The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith Beth Direct-to-video release
2015 The Hollywouldn'ts Lead
2016 Baskets Co-star
2016 All Wrong Lead
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1980 B.A.D. Cats 1 episode
Three's Company Bunny/Twinkie 1 episode
1982 House Calls Jan Howard 1 episode
Happy Days Lola 1 episode
The Love Boat Mona 1 episode
Magnum, P.I., 1981 Laura Frasier 1 episode
Enos 1 episode
Barney Miller, 1981 Wendy McWilliams 1 episode: "Paternity"
Taxi Christina Longworth 1 episode
Private Benjamin 1 episode
Too Close for Comfort Susan Andrews 1 episode
Quincy, M.E. Kirsten MacKenzie 1 episode
Police Squad! Stella 1 episode
T. J. Hooker Lynn Hartman 1 episode
1983 Johnny Blue Kathy Weatherby Television movie
Matt Houston Dr. Carol Masters
Sharon Dardis		 2 episodes
1983–1984 Knight Rider April Curtis[3] 21 episodes
1984 The Master 1 episode
The New Mike Hammer Barbara Rainey 1 episode
1986 Night Court Mary Korchak 1 episode
Remington Steele Windsor Thomas 1 episode
1987 General Hospital Elena Cosgrove Unknown episodes
1988 CBS Summer Playhouse Vanessa 1 episode

Discography
Year Single Peak chart
positions
US Country[12]
1989 "The Truth Doesn't Always Rhyme" 82
"License to Steal" 78
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gollark: <@465216754684002305> I don't know if I explained it to you, but there are ways through RFT force fields.
gollark: TC6, 6.1, potatOS Tau, whatever.
gollark: Frankly, I don't know at this point.
gollark: It might be.

References
  1. "Another 'Knight Rider' star seeks music career". The News-Messenger. Ohio, Fremont. Gannett News Service. August 28, 1986. p. 27. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Bio". RebeccaHolden.com. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  3. O'Hallaren, Bill (1986-01-04). "Boy, Has She Got Car Troubles". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  4. Shaw, Peggy (February 1, 2002). "From the small screen to the small stage". The Tennessean. Tennessee, Nashville. p. W – 1. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Book of Ruth". Rebecca Holden.com.
  6. Nolasco, Stephanie (November 2, 2019). "'Knight Rider' star Rebecca Holden recalls on-screen chemistry with David Hasselhoff, why she left series". Fox Corporation. Fox News. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  7. Rutherford, Tony (May 16, 2017). "Knight Rider Star Rebecca Holden Lands Canaan Land Lead" (Press release). Christian Newswire. Retrieved May 16, 2017 – via HuntingtonNews.net.
  8. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 191. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  9. "Today". The Star-Democrat. Maryland, Easton. June 10, 2011. p. 3. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Hilton, Pat (May 17, 1984). "Striking Rebecca Holden oozes Hollywood glamour". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Wisconsin, Green Bay. Gannett News Service. p. I-2. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Oermann, Robert K. (December 7, 1989). "Alabama wins big at 'Cash Box' awards". The Tennessean. Tennessee, Nashville. p. 5–D. Retrieved June 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Whitburn, Joel (2012). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 154. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
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