Taaffe O'Connell, a stunning blonde bombshell, was born on May 14, 1951, in Providence, Rhode Island, to an upper-class family. She spent most of her childhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she excelled as a straight-A student in her grade school years. O'Connell's academic prowess led her to earn a master's degree in drama from the University of Mississippi.
After completing her education, O'Connell moved to Hollywood, California, to pursue a career in acting. She began by landing guest spots on popular television shows such as Starsky and Hutch, Baretta, Police Woman, Vega$, and CHiPs. Her film debut came with an uncredited role in Rocky II in 1979.
O'Connell's television work also included a regular role as a showgirl on the short-lived sitcom Blansky's Beauties in 1977. She played the character of Jane, a nurse, in the seasonal slasher film New Year's Evil in 1980.
Taaffe's most iconic role is arguably that of Dameia, a spaceship crew technical chief, in the cult sci-fi/horror film Galaxy of Terror in 1981. In this film, her character is brutally raped and killed by a giant slimy maggot. O'Connell continued to work in the film industry, appearing in Caged Fury, a women-in-prison exploitation film, and Hot Chili, a lowbrow comedy.
In addition to her film work, O'Connell made guest appearances on several television shows, including Happy Days, The Incredible Hulk, Laverne & Shirley, Archie Bunker's Place, Three's Company, Knight Rider, Dallas, and Dangerous Women. More recently, she appeared in minor roles in the low-budget horror films The Stoneman and Dismembered.
Outside of her acting career, O'Connell has developed a directory to help her fellow thespians, writes articles for magazines specializing in casting, and occasionally attends film conventions.
