Nancy Parsons

Nancy Parsons (1942–2001) was an American film and television actress. She was best known for her role as Coach Beulah Balbricker in the 1982 cult comedy film Porky's and its sequels, as well as Ida in the 1980 comedy/horror film Motel Hell.

Early life

Nancy Parsons was born Nancy Anne Parsons on 17 January 1942 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Mary Margaret née Samsa and Charles Walter Parsons. Her father performed in Vaudeville. She had two sisters: Mary Jean Parsons and Theresa Mae Macrae née Parsons.

When she was seventeen, her father remarried, to Genevieve Stack, and relocated with his second wife and daughters to South Pasadena, California. In California, Parsons began acting in local theaters and was given a full scholarship to The Pasadena Playhouse, a historic performing arts venue in Pasadena, California. She performed with venue for two years, from 1960 to 1962, and appeared in the works of celebrated playwrights including Edward Albee, Clifford Odets, Tennessee Williams, and William Shakespeare, among others. After graduating from The Pasadena Playhouse in 1962, Parsons married Alan Hipwell in 1963. They divorced in 1972.

She studied theatre at University of California, Los Angeles, where she won the Hugh O'Brian Award.

Career

Parsons began working in Hollywood after her divorce from her husband, Alan Hipwell, in 1972. She made her debut on television in 1976, portraying a ticket seller in They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To episode of television series Baretta. The following year she was seen in a minor role in Anthony Page-directed comedy film I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.

Over the following years, she made guest appearances in a variety of television shows, including Lou Grant (1977,) Charlie's Angels (1978,) and The Rockford Files (1978,) and films, such as The Lady in Red (1979,) Smokey Bites the Dust (1981,) Where the Buffalo Roam (1980,) and Honky Tonk Freeway (1981.)

In 1980, she was seen in Kevin Connor-directed comedy/horror film Motel Hell. She played the role of "Ida Smith" for which she earned an Academy of Science Fiction and Fantasy nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Her most memorable role came in 1982 when she was cast in teen sex comedy film Porky's. The film was written and directed by Bob Clark and Parsons played the character of "Coach Beulah Balbricker" alongside Dan Monahan (as Pee Wee), Mark Herrier (as Billy), and Wyatt Knight (as Tommy). Although a commercial success with the younger audience, the film was not well received by film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, who called it one of the worst films of 1982 and criticized it for what they viewed as its objectification and degradation of women and the childish nature of its antagonists.

A sequel of the Porky's was made in 1983, titled Porky's II: The Next Day and in 1985, titled, Porky's Revenge. Parsons played the same character of "Coach Beulah Balbricker" in both films. Porky's II: The Next Day was also directed by Bob Clark and Porky's Revenge was directed by James Komack. Parsons won Family Film Award for Best Actress in Porky's Revenge.

In 1989, Parsons landed a recurring role of "Hilda" in television series, Generations. She appeared in 7 episodes of the first season (1989.)

Parsons was last seen on television in April 1998, playing the character of "Martha Bowman" in the episode Crash of the television series The Pretender.

Achievements

• Won Family Film Award, Best Actress (Porky's Revenge, 1985)
• Nominated for Academy of Science Fiction and Fantasy, Best Supporting Actress (Motel Hell, 1980)
• Woman of the year award from the Alumni Association of The Pasadena Playhouse.

Personal life

After leaving The Pasadena Playhouse in 1962, Nancy Parsons married Alan Hipwell in 1963. After 9 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 1972. They had two daughters: Elizabeth Hipwell (born November 3, 1964,) and Margaret Hipwell (born October 7, 1969.) Elizabeth Hipwell is an actress, as well, and had a brief role in Porky's Revenge (1985.)

Death

Nancy Parsons died from diabetes and congestive heart failure on January 5, 2001, aged 58, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She was survived by her two daughters.

Filmography