Jane Badler, a talented American and Australian actress, is most famously known for her captivating portrayal of the villainous reptilian leader "Diana" in the NBC mini-series V (1983),its sequel V: The Final Battle (1984),the subsequent TV series V (1984),and the final season of the revamped series V (2009).
Born on the last day of 1953 in Brooklyn, New York, Jane spent her formative years in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she attended Central High School. Her impressive resume began to take shape when she won the Miss New Hampshire title and competed at the prestigious 1972 Miss America Pageant. Subsequently, she pursued her passion for drama by studying at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
In 1977, Jane landed her first major role on the long-running TV soap opera One Life to Live (1968),where she played the role of "Melinda Cramer Janssen" until 1981, returning briefly in 1983 to reprise her iconic character. She also made a notable appearance on the venerable soap opera The Doctors (1963). Throughout her illustrious career, Jane has taken on a diverse range of TV roles, including a stint on the hit series Falcon Crest (1981) as "Meredith Braxton" from 1986 to 1987 and as "Agent Shannon Reed" in the revival of Mission: Impossible (1988),which was filmed in Australia. Her impressive guest-starring credits include appearances on numerous TV series.
After filming Mission: Impossible (1988) in Australia, Jane relocated to the country, marrying businessman Stephen Haines and starting a family with their two sons, Sam and Harry. Her Australian TV credits include the popular series Cluedo (1992) and Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1994). In the 1990s, Jane embarked on a successful stage career and cabaret act, showcasing her talents in the one-woman show "The Love Goddess: Rita Hayworth".
