After landing roles in smaller films like the Robert Zemeckis ensemble, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Brian De Palma's, Home Movies and Defiance with Jan-Michael Vincent, Theresa Saldana was finally cast in her first real A-list movie, playing Joe Pesci's wife in the Martin Scorsese boxing classic, Raging Bull.
That movie should have put her at the front of the line of up-and-coming actresses. Instead, she caught the eye of a crazed fan who seriously wounded her in a vicious attack outside her home. She survived, but her career suddenly took a different path.
After a long recovery process, Theresa Saldana returned to acting, but mainly in forgettable episodes of television shows like T.J. Hooker and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She eventually bounced back and became a series regular on the popular show, The Commish, where she received a Golden Globe nomination. More importantly, though, she became an advocate for victims of stalking and brought awareness and help to victims of these crimes.
Theresa Saldana was charming in I Wanna Hold Your Hand and showed real star potential in Raging Bull, but her path took a different turn. And while we'll never know what could have been, the challenges that she overcame should be an inspiration to anyone who takes each day for granted. And a wake up call to what is really important in life.
That movie should have put her at the front of the line of up-and-coming actresses. Instead, she caught the eye of a crazed fan who seriously wounded her in a vicious attack outside her home. She survived, but her career suddenly took a different path.
After a long recovery process, Theresa Saldana returned to acting, but mainly in forgettable episodes of television shows like T.J. Hooker and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She eventually bounced back and became a series regular on the popular show, The Commish, where she received a Golden Globe nomination. More importantly, though, she became an advocate for victims of stalking and brought awareness and help to victims of these crimes.
Theresa Saldana was charming in I Wanna Hold Your Hand and showed real star potential in Raging Bull, but her path took a different turn. And while we'll never know what could have been, the challenges that she overcame should be an inspiration to anyone who takes each day for granted. And a wake up call to what is really important in life.
ADDENDUM
Sadly, Theresa Saldana died of pneumonia on June 6, 2016 at the young age of 61. While her talents may have been overlooked by the mainstream crowd, her strength and courage stood firmly front and center.
