Biografia
Fiery, spirited, and bold redheaded actress Sondra Currie boasts an extensive list of television, film, and stage credits. Notably, she portrayed Linda Garner, the devoted mother of Zach Galifianakis' character, in the hugely successful comedy franchise, The Hangover trilogy. Sondra also had a recurring role as Ms. Vivian on Tyler Perry's hit comedy series Love Thy Neighbor and starred alongside Barbara Bain and Eileen Grubba in the film Take My Hand.
Born and raised in Los Angeles within a show business family, Sondra is the daughter of actress Marie Harmon (known for Gunsmoke, The El Paso Kid, Night Time in Nevada, Ladies Courageous). Growing up, she developed a natural passion for acting and filmmaking. In her teens, she was discovered by legendary producer and director Howard Hawks (Sergeant York, To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Rio Bravo), who cast her in her first film, Rio Lobo, starring John Wayne. Sondra fondly recalls their first encounter when John Wayne introduced himself, and she shyly replied, "Yes, I know, I'm Sandy Currie!"
Known for her adventurous spirit and willingness to take risks, including performing her own stunts, Sondra starred in numerous films such as the 1970 cult favorites Jessi's Girls, Policewomen, Mama's Dirty Girls, and the 1980s film Concrete Jungle. She describes these early projects as "slice and dice" films where she earned her degree in the college of human nature. Since then, she has continued to hone her craft, training with some of Hollywood’s finest. Sondra is a lifetime member of the renowned Actors Studio, where she studied under icons like Martin Landau, Mark Rydell, Lou Antonio, and Salome Jens. She also spent 17 years as a member of Milton Katselas' Master Class.
With over 125 television appearances, Sondra has guest-starred on shows including NCIS, ER, JAG, 7th Heaven, Cheers, Murder, She Wrote, The Golden Girls, multiple episodes of Three's Company and Simon & Simon, Magnum P.I., and Knight Rider. Her starring roles in television movies include two Columbo films, Kid Cop, The Secretary, The Perfect Wife, Thicker Than Water, and Alien Nation: Dark Horizon.
Together with her husband, acclaimed producer/director Alan J. Levi, Sondra co-owns Lumina Pictures and Entertainment LTD. Lumina Pictures has several projects underway, recently completing Take My Hand. As part of a large entertainment family, Sondra and Alan enjoy collaborating with friends and relatives such as Cherie Currie (The Runaways), Marie Currie (The Narrow Road Of Light), Robert Hays (Airplane!), and Jake Hays (Maudlin Strangers).
Sondra is deeply involved in Los Angeles theater as an actress, producer, and passionate advocate. Her favorite stage credits include The Vagina Monologues, Death of a Salesman, After The Fall, The Chesterfield Woman, and Hatful of Rain. She was a founding member of Camelot Artists—now the Katselas Theatre Company—and is a member of the prestigious Theatre West. She regards her mentor and husband as her greatest blessing, saying, "He's the most patient, giving, talented person I've ever known. And I'm the smartest, I married him!"
Sondra and Alan served on the Board of the California Independent Film Festival and were jury members for its first ten years. In 2008, they were honored to serve as jurors at the inaugural International Indie Film Festival in Sapporo, Japan, where Sondra was the only woman on the panel.
One of her most fulfilling commitments is with SHARE Inc. (established 1953), a prominent Los Angeles charity dedicated to supporting at-risk youth, developmentally disabled, abused children, and those in need. "This is a place where I might really be able to make a difference," she says. "I see it firsthand. The children are so receptive, and it's such a positive experience. It helps me keep everything else in perspective."
In her free time, Sondra is an avid photographer who enjoys exploring through her lens, gaining an intimate perspective of her subjects. She also loves gardening and tending to her orchids. She and her husband are passionate travelers who have navigated nearly every canal in France, as well as many in England, Belgium, Holland, and Italy, aboard a small boat they manage themselves. "Alan navigates while I handle the ropes and locks," she beams. Meeting locals in small villages has been especially rewarding, leading to lifelong friendships. "It's our time to just drop off the planet. My life is very rich.
