Dominique Ellen Dunne was born in Santa Monica, California, the daughter of
Ellen Beatriz Griffin Dunne and
Dominick Dunne, a producer, actor, and writer. Actor
Griffin Dunne is her brother. After
her parents' divorce, she moved first to New York, and then to Beverly Hills. Upon graduation from high school, Dominique went
to the University of Colorado to study acting, leaving after one year
to pursue her career. Three weeks after arriving in Hollywood, she
landed her first gig. Other roles soon followed, notably her role as
Dana Freeling, the eldest daughter in
Poltergeist (1982), and Dominique was soon
well known in the Hollywood social scene. Well-liked by all who knew
her, Dominique seemed to be at the top of the world. Then, at a party,
she met
John Thomas Sweeney, the chef at popular LA nightspot "Ma
Maison." The two began a relationship, which turned stormy. Sweeney was
uncontrollable and abusive (so abusive that Dominique did not need
makeup to play the role of an abuse victim on
Hill Street Blues (1981)). Dominique ended
the relationship on October 30, 1982. That same night, a distraught
Sweeney raced to her house, where she and actor
David Packer were rehearsing
a scene from
V (1983), dragged her outside, and strangled her, leaving
her brain-dead. Five days later, she was removed from life support and
died, cutting short a brilliant career and leaving behind scores of
shocked and angry loved ones.
V(1983)as Robin Maxwell
Hill Street Blues(1981)as Cindy
The Quest(1982)as Italian Girl
CHiPs(1977)as Amy Kent
The Shadow Riders(1982)as Sissy Traven
Fame(1982)
The Making of 'Poltergeist'(1982)as Self
The Mike Douglas Show(1961)as Self - Actress
Entertainment Tonight(1981)as Self
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert(2015)as Dana Freeling
Vanity Fair Confidential(2015)as Self
Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold(2017)as Self
Cinemassacre's Monster Madness(2007)as Dana Freeling
