Olivia Jane d'Abo (/ˈdɑːb/; born 22 January 1969)[1] is a British actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Karen Arnold, Kevin Arnold's rebellious teenaged hippie sister in the ABC comedy-drama series The Wonder Years (1988–1993), as female serial killer Nicole Wallace in Law & Order: Criminal Intent, as Marie Blake on The Single Guy (1995–1997), and Jane Porter in The Legend of Tarzan (2001–2003). Her film appearances include roles in Conan the Destroyer (1984) and Bank Robber (1993).

Olivia d'Abo
d'Abo smiling
D'Abo in July 2010
Born
Olivia Jane d'Abo

(1969-01-22) 22 January 1969 (age 55)
London, England
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1984–present
Spouse
(m. 2002; div. 2012)
Children1
Parent
RelativesMaryam d'Abo (first cousin once removed)
Websitewww.oliviadabo.net

Early life and education edit

D'Abo was born on 22 January 1969 in London, England, the daughter of Maggie London, an English model and actress primarily active in the 1960s, and Mike d'Abo, an English singer and member of 1960s musical group Manfred Mann.[2] She has an older brother, two half-brothers and one half-sister: elder brother Ben, younger half-brother Bruno, and younger sibling twins Ella and Louis (born July 2007) on her father's side. Olivia and Ben both attended high school in the United States at Los Feliz Hills School (formerly the Apple School) in Los Angeles, and d'Abo attended Pacoima Junior High School in Pacoima, Los Angeles.

She is the first cousin once removed of her father's cousin Maryam d'Abo (b. 1960),[3] the actress best known for her performance as Kara Milovy in the 1987 James Bond film The Living Daylights. Olivia and Maryam bought a house together in Los Angeles when Olivia was 19 years old.[4]

Career edit

Acting career edit

D'Abo's film debut was the supporting role of Princess Jehnna in Conan the Destroyer, released on 29 June 1984. Two months later, she appeared in the supporting role of Paloma the peasant girl in Bolero (1984).

D'Abo portrayed Karen Arnold in the ABC comedy-drama series The Wonder Years for the show's first four seasons, from 1988 to 1991, with two guest star appearances in the show's final two seasons. In 1992, she guest-starred in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode titled "True Q" as Amanda Rogers.

d’Abo played a lesbian visiting college professor/writer named Perry Marks, who became friends with Julia Salinger, for 3 episodes in season 5 (1999) of “Party of Five”

An unreleased pilot for an ABC sitcom she led, Olivia Masters' Life, was released on her official website. The pilot shows young, tenacious American woman Olivia Masters as she tries to find her calling and acclimate herself into the professional world, which is not always professional or a breeze, as she finds out.[5]

D'Abo made five appearances as a recurring villain Nicole Wallace in the NBC police procedural drama series Law & Order: Criminal Intent between 2002 and 2008. She reprised the character in the 2013 episode "The Catacombes" in the French police procedural drama series Jo, a show created by René Balcer, who also created Criminal Intent.

In 2007, D'Abo played Abby Carter, the ex-wife of Sheriff Jack Carter, in the Sci-Fi Channel series Eureka for two episodes. She has had numerous supporting roles in other television series and films including The Spirit of '76 (1990), Greedy (1994), The Big Green (1995), and The Twilight Zone (2002). Onstage, she appeared in the 2005 Broadway theatrical production of The Odd Couple alongside Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane.

In animation, D'Abo provided the voices of Sonya Blade in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996); Melanie Walker/Ten in Batman Beyond (1999–2000); Star Sapphire in Justice League (2001); and Morgaine le Fey in Justice League Unlimited (2004); Tak in Invader Zim (2001–2002); Jane Porter in The Legend of Tarzan; Jedi Master Luminara Unduli in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008), which she reprised the character in the cameo role in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019); Carol Ferris in Green Lantern: First Flight (2009); and Natalia Romanoff in Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers 2: Rise of the Panther (both 2006).

In February 2013, D'Abo began filming for Tesla Effect: A Tex Murphy Adventure (working title: Project Fedora), a video game that combined live-action footage with 3D graphics.

Music career edit

D'Abo is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and pianist.[6] She has composed and performed for various soundtracks. Her single "Broken" is in the film Loving Annabelle. Her debut album, Not TV, was released in July 2008.[7]

D'Abo also performed backing vocals for Julian Lennon's Help Yourself,[8] and a duet with Seal's "Broken". She also co-wrote the song "Love Comes from the Inside" with Italian singer Laura Pausini, which was featured on Pausini's English-language debut album, From the Inside.

D'Abo performed a duet on Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" for their 2003 acoustic album This Left Feels Right.

Podcast appearances edit

In October 2015, d'Abo started a weekly podcast called Every Friday with Dan and Olivia, co-hosting the program with Dan Miles of the Friends of Dan music podcast.[9]

On 8 July 2016, d'Abo appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast.[10]

Personal life edit

D'Abo’s engagement to singer Julian Lennon ended in 1992.[11] Her son, Oliver William d'Abo, was born in 1995.[11] In 1998, she became engaged to actor Thomas Jane after working with him on several projects including The Velocity of Gary and Jonni Nitro. In 2001, the couple called off the engagement.[11] D'Abo was married to songwriter and music producer Patrick Leonard from 2002 to 2012.[11] She dated professional skateboarder James Quakenbush from 2019 to 2022.

Filmography edit

Film edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984Conan the DestroyerPrincess Jehnna
BoleroPaloma
1986FlyingRobin Crew
Mission KillRebel Girl
BulliesBecky Cullen
1988Into the FireLiette
1989Beyond the StarsMara Simons
Another Chance
1990The Spirit of '76Chanel-6
1993Point of No ReturnAngela
Bank RobberSelina
Wayne's World 2Betty Jo
1994The Last Good TimeCharlotte Zwicki
GreedyMolly Richardson
Clean SlateJudy
Pom PokoKoharuVoice, English dub[12]
Asterix Conquers AmericaAdditional VoicesEnglish dub, uncredited
1995The Big GreenMiss Anna Montgomery
Kicking and ScreamingJane
Live Nude GirlsChris
1997HacksLynn
1998The Velocity of Gary * * (Not His Real Name)Veronica
1999Soccer Dog: The MovieElena
A Texas FuneralCharlotte
Seven GirlfriendsHannah
2000Jonni NitroJonni Nitro
It Had to Be YouTracy Meltempi
2001The EnemySgt. Penny Johnson
Tarzan & JaneJane PorterVoice, direct-to-video
2003The AnimatrixRoxVoice, segment: "Matriculated"[12]
2006Ultimate AvengersNatalia Romanova / Black WidowVoice, direct-to-video[12]
Ultimate Avengers 2
2007Dante's InfernoBeatriceVoice
A Poor Kid's Guide to SuccessLisa Maerd
2008The Awakening FireNarratorShort film
2009Green Lantern: First FlightCarol Ferris / Star SapphireVoice, direct-to-video[12]
2012Justice League: Doom
2013ImpiriosoLuccia Rosso
The Devil's ViolinistPrimrose Blackston
2014Sleeping BeautyQueen Tambria
2015Stolen from the SuburbsMilena
Robo-DogMiranda Austin
A Christmas Eve MiracleSharron Holden
2016Blue WeekendLisa Crawford
2019Invader Zim: Enter the FlorpusTak's ShipVoice[12]
Star Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerLuminara UnduliVoice, cameo[12]
2020Unbelieveable!!!!!Female LarrishaFilmed in 2015
Angie: Lost GirlsHayley
2021Traveling Light
2022BanditLinda Craig
2023StaycationGrace Baxter
TBAThe Nana ProjectPost-production

Television edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985Not My KidStudentTelevision film; uncredited[citation needed]
1985–86Growing PainsTerry / Wendy2 episodes
1987One Big FamilyJoy FairbanksEpisode: "Joy to the Hattons"
Really Weird TalesTippyTelevision film; segment: "All's Well that Ends Strange"
1988Simon & SimonAllison Tyner / AngelEpisode: "Shadows"
Crash CourseMaria AbejaTelevision film
Tour of DutyLeslieEpisode: "Soldiers"
The Bronx ZooTerri AvilaEpisode: "Behind Closed Doors"
1988–93The Wonder YearsKaren ArnoldMain (93 episodes)
1991The Legend of Prince ValiantVesta / Jasmine / Lady IleneVoice, 2 episodes
1992Midnight's ChildAnna BergmanTelevision film
Star Trek: The Next GenerationAmanda RogersEpisode: "True Q"
1993For Love and GloryEmily DoyleTelevision film
1995–97The Single GuyDeliah / Marie BlakeEpisode: "Pilot" / Main (season 2, 22 episodes)
1996Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the RealmSonya BladeVoice, main role (13 episodes)[12]
1997Dad's Week OffChericeTelevision film
1998Adventures from the Book of VirtuesAnne SullivanVoice, episode: "Patience"
The Wild ThornberrysJaoVoice, episode: "Only Child"[12]
Fantasy IslandFlorence JenkinsEpisode: "Secret Self"
1999Party of FivePerry Marks3 episodes
1999–2000Batman BeyondTen / Melanie WalkerVoice, 3 episodes[12]
20003rd Rock from the SunAndreaEpisode: "Dick Solomon's Day Off"
2001The TriangleCharlotte 'Charlie' DuvalTelevision film
Spin CityAllison Wright3 episodes
2001–03The Legend of TarzanJane PorterVoice, main role
2002The Twilight ZoneShannonEpisode: "The Lineman"
2002–03Invader ZimTak, Tak's Ship, Bus Driver #2Voice, 3 episodes[12]
2002–08Law & Order: Criminal IntentElizabeth Hitchens, Nicole Wallace5 episodes
2002Justice LeagueStar Sapphire, Morgaine le FeyVoice, recurring role (6 episodes)[12]
2003AliasEmma WallaceEpisode: "Double Agent"
2004Justice League UnlimitedMorgaine le FeyVoice, episode: "Kid Stuff"[12]
2007EurekaDr. Abby Carter2 episodes
2008–09Star Wars: The Clone WarsLuminara UnduliVoice, recurring role (7 episodes)[12]
2010Batman: The Brave and the BoldElasti-GirlVoice, episode: "The Last Patrol!"[12]
2011Generator RexFiveVoice, 3 episodes[12]
We Have Your HusbandOliviaTelevision film
2012Nuclear FamilyDoctor Hughes
2013JoMadeleine HaynesEpisode: "The Catacombes"
ElementaryNigella MasonEpisode: "The Marchioness"
2014PsychDierdreEpisode: "Lock, Stock, Some Smoking Barrels and Burton Guster's Goblet of Fire"
Presumed Dead in ParadisePatricia AshlandTelevision film
2015When Duty CallsCommander Kathryn Chapman
2016Inspired to KillCharlie
Code BlackRuth GoldmanEpisode: "What Lies Beneath"
2017Secs & ExecsLeslie Mulligan-RossTelevision film (also Web Series)
American DadFlight AttendantVoice, episode: "The Bitchin' Race"
2018The Wrong Son (also known as Her Son's Secret)SarahTelevision film
Millennial RulesGail Dunn
2019The Madam of Purity FallsCourtney
Jane the VirginClarissaEpisode: "Chapter Ninety-Seven"

Video games edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997Titanic ExplorerVarious
2005Medal of Honor: European AssaultManon du Champ
Neopets: The Darkest FaerieJerdana / Aisha Peasant[12]
2009Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic HeroesLuminara Unduli[12]
2011Green Lantern: Rise of the ManhuntersQueen Aga'po
2014The Elder Scrolls OnlineAdditional voices
Lego Batman 3: Beyond GothamStar Sapphire
2015Infinite CrisisCatwoman[13]

Theatre edit

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990It's a GirlLinda BraggOdyssey Theatre
1993Scenes from an ExecutionSupportaMark Taper Forum
2005–06The Odd CoupleGwendolyn PigeonBrooks Atkinson Theatre
2010It's Just SexJoanTwo Roads Theatre
2010–11Cyrano de BergeracRoxaneRuskin Theatre
2011Entertaining Mr. SloaneKathThe Actor's Company

References edit

  1. ^ a. "England & Wales, Birth Index: 1837–1983 database on-line". Ancestry.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2007 – via Ancestry.co.uk.[dead link] Original data: General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. London, England: General Register Office. Lists Olivia Jane d'Abo on the index of births registered in Jan–Mar. 1969.
    b. "Olivia's Bio". Archived from the original on 22 August 2006.
  2. ^ "Olivia d'Abo Biography". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  3. ^ @OliviadAbo (21 December 2015). "@Martytude yes ! She's my beautiful cousin ;)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Sanz, Cynthia; Sheff, Vicki (21 May 1990). "D'Abo, Teen Rebel of Wonder Years, Handles Fame and a Romance with Julian Lennon Just Like a Grown-Up". People. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  5. ^ D'Abo, Olivia (1990s). "Olivia Masters Life". Olivia D'Abo.net. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Not TV album blurb at Inner Knot". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011.[dead link]
  7. ^ Stafford, Charity. "Not TV - Olivia d'Abo - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Olivia d'Abo | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  9. ^ "Every Friday with Dan and Olivia on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  10. ^ "TV Guidance Counselor Podcast: TV Guidance Counselor Episode 160: Olivia d'Abo". tvguidancecounselor.libsyn.com. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d Cardiga, Manuela (26 February 2020). "Glimpse into Olivia D'Abo's Life after 'The Wonder Years', Including Her Divorce and Son". news.amomama.com. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Olivia d'Abo (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 30 September 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  13. ^ Turbine. Infinite Crisis. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Scene: Credits, Voice Over Talent.

External links edit