Denise Katherine Matthews, professionally known as Vanity, was a captivating Canadian model and lead singer of the all-girl group "Vanity 6." She was renowned for portraying sultry, complex female characters often entangled in precarious legal situations.
Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, to Helga Senyk and James Levia Matthews, Vanity was of African and German descent. Her early career in the entertainment industry began with a role in the biographical film Klondike Fever (1979),a tale about the life of writer Jack London.
Vanity's subsequent film appearances included the horror movie Terror Train (1980),the unusual chick flick Tanya's Island (1980),the B-grade martial arts film The Last Dragon (1985),and the bizarre Never Too Young to Die (1986). However, her most impressive performances were as the naive stripper assisting blackmail victim Roy Scheider in the under-rated thriller 52 Pick-Up (1986) and as a seductive, smart-talking nightclub singer teaming up with cop Carl Weathers to defeat murderous cartiercoon Craig T. Nelson in the violent Action Jackson (1988).
Unfortunately, Vanity's film work during the latter part of her career consisted primarily of low-budget thrillers, including Neon City (1991) and Da Vinci's War (1993). She only managed to secure minor roles in these productions. In 1995, Vanity abandoned her Hollywood career and dedicated her life to the Christian faith.
Vanity, who suffered from sclerosis encapsulating peritonitis, passed away on February 15, 2016, in Fremont, California.
Biography:
Denise Katherine Matthews was born on January 4, 1959, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Helga Senyk and James Levia Matthews.
