Dominique Dunne

Dominique Ellen Dunne (November 23, 1959 – November 4, 1982) was an American actress. She appeared in several television films and series from 1979 to 1982, but was best known for portraying Dana Freeling, the oldest daughter, in the 1982 horror film Poltergeist.

On October 30, 1982, Dunne was strangled by her ex-boyfriend in the driveway of her West Hollywood home and went into a coma. She never regained consciousness and died five days later at the age of 22.

Early life

Dunne was born in Santa Monica, California, the youngest child of Ellen Beatriz "Lenny" (née Griffin), a ranching heiress, and Dominick Dunne, a writer, producer, and actor. She had two older brothers, Alex and Griffin Dunne, an actor. She was also the niece of married novelists John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion. Her godparents were Maria Cooper-Janis, daughter of actors Gary Cooper and Veronica "Rocky" Cooper, and producer Martin Manulis. Her parents divorced in 1967.

Dunne attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, and Fountain Valley School. After graduation, she spent a year in Florence, Italy, where she learned Italian. She studied acting at Milton Katselas' Workshop and appeared in various stage productions including West Side Story, The Mousetrap, and My Three Angels.