Charlie Spradling
Charlie Spradling (born September 27, 1968) is a retired American actress recognized for her supporting roles in cult films and television during the late 1980s and 1990s, particularly in horror and thriller genres.[1] Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Spradling began her performing career in local theater productions around her hometown, honing her skills for nearly a decade before relocating to Hollywood in the mid-1980s.[1] She joined the Screen Actors Guild in 1987 and quickly transitioned to on-screen work, amassing credits in over 20 films and TV shows across a 15-year span.[1] Among her most notable roles were Irma in David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990), a CBS Girl Backstage in Oliver Stone's The Doors (1991), and the lead character Nina in the vampire thriller To Sleep with a Vampire (1992).[1] Spradling also became a staple in low-budget horror cinema, including the 1988 remake of The Blob, and starring in Full Moon Entertainment features such as Puppet Master II (1990) and Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990), which contributed to her cult following among genre enthusiasts.[2] Additionally, she served as a spokesmodel in the early 1990s and made guest appearances on series like Twin Peaks, where she portrayed the character Swabbie.[1] Following her retirement from acting around 2002, Spradling shifted focus to behind-the-scenes pursuits, including roles in publishing with outlets such as The Arroyo Monthly and Pasadena Magazine.[1] She later entered entrepreneurship by co-founding Stacked Sally, LLC, a salad company based in Texas.[1] On a personal note, Spradling was married to fellow actor Jason London from February 18, 1997, until their divorce on March 17, 2011; the couple has one child. She later married John South.[1][3]Early life
Birth and family background
Charlie Lynn Spradling was born on September 27, 1968, in Fort Worth, Texas.[4] She is the daughter of Charles Smith Spradling (July 31, 1937 – June 29, 2022) and Nancy Ann Spradling, to whom her father had been married for 58 years at the time of his death.[5][1][6] Spradling has one sibling, a brother named Charles W. Spradling, who is married to Liz Spradling.[5] Spradling was raised in the Fort Worth area, where her family emphasized close-knit bonds, as evidenced by her father's enduring love for his wife, children, and pets.[4][5] Her father, originally from Waurika, Oklahoma, had relocated to Fort Worth as a child and later settled the family in the nearby Haltom City community.[5] Charles Spradling passed away suddenly in Haltom City on June 29, 2022, survived by his wife and both children, marking a significant loss for the family after decades together in Texas.[5] Spradling moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, transitioning from her Texas roots.[4]Entry into theater
Spradling's initial foray into the performing arts occurred in her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, where she joined a local children's theater group and began acting in plays throughout the area. This early involvement marked the start of her show business career, which she pursued for approximately nine years through various local productions.[4] Supported by her Texas family background, Spradling decided to commit to acting as a profession, prompting her move to Hollywood, Los Angeles, in the mid-1980s. During her teenage years, she continued building experience in community and school theater, honing her skills before transitioning to professional opportunities.[4] Following her relocation, Spradling engaged in initial auditions and minor gigs that culminated in her obtaining a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card in 1987, enabling her entry into union-sanctioned work.[4]Career
Early film and television roles
Charlie Spradling obtained her Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card in 1987, marking the beginning of her professional transition from local theater to on-screen work in Hollywood.[4] This pivotal step allowed her to pursue film and television opportunities after years of stage performances in her hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.[4] Her screen debut came in 1988 with an uncredited role as Veronique in the teen comedy License to Drive, directed by Greg Beeman, where she appeared briefly as a nightclub patron.[7] Later that year, she had a supporting role as a co-ed in the science fiction horror remake The Blob, directed by Chuck Russell, contributing to the film's ensemble of young characters facing an alien threat in a small town.[8] These early film appearances showcased her entry into genre cinema amid the late 1980s boom in horror and youth-oriented stories. On television, Spradling made her debut in the season 2 premiere of Full House in 1988, playing Rhonda in the episode "Cutting It Close."[2] She followed with guest spots on Growing Pains across two episodes in 1988 and 1989, portraying Tawny in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" and "Mandingo."[2] In 1989, she appeared as Murphy in an episode of Married... with Children, further establishing her presence in popular sitcoms.[2] These roles highlighted her versatility in comedic family dynamics, building on her theater-honed skills for quick, character-driven scenes.[4]Horror genre prominence
Charlie Spradling gained prominence in the horror genre during the late 1980s and 1990s through a series of roles in low-budget, direct-to-video films, often produced by companies like Full Moon Features, establishing her as a staple in B-movie horror.[1] Her debut in the genre came with a minor appearance as a co-ed in the 1988 remake of The Blob, a cult science fiction horror film directed by Chuck Russell that revitalized the creature feature subgenre with its graphic effects and small-town invasion plot.[9] This early exposure helped build her visibility in horror circles, leading to more substantial parts in the following decade.[10] In 1990, Spradling appeared in three notable horror productions, showcasing her versatility in supernatural and slasher narratives. She portrayed the antagonistic Charleen Kane in Mirror Mirror, a haunted object thriller where her character, a wealthy and bullying sorority girl, becomes a target of vengeful forces unleashed by a cursed antique mirror; the film received mixed reviews for its blend of teen drama and supernatural horror, earning a 5.5/10 average user rating on IMDb.[11] That same year, she played Wanda in Puppet Master II, the sequel to the popular puppet horror series, where her character is part of a group of parapsychologists investigating malevolent marionettes at a secluded inn; the movie, known for its gothic atmosphere and stop-motion puppet kills, holds a 5.4/10 IMDb rating and contributed to the franchise's cult following.[12] Also in 1990, Spradling took on the role of Gina in Meridian: Kiss of the Beast, a supernatural romance-horror directed by Charles Band, featuring her as a seductive friend entangled in a Beauty and the Beast-inspired curse involving shape-shifting and ghostly apparitions; the film garnered a 5.0/10 IMDb score, praised by some for its erotic undertones amid the fantasy elements.[13] Spradling's horror output continued into the early 1990s with a lead role as the troubled stripper Nina in To Sleep with a Vampire (1992), a direct-to-video vampire drama where she stars opposite Scott Valentine in a story of redemption and forbidden desire between an immortal and a suicidal human; this performance marked one of her rare leading roles in the genre, with the film receiving a 5.1/10 IMDb rating for its character-driven approach to vampire lore.[14] Her work in these films often led to typecasting as alluring yet vulnerable women in peril, a common trope in 1990s B-horror that amplified her appeal among genre fans.[1] While critically modest, her contributions to these productions highlighted her reliability in delivering committed performances within the constraints of low-budget horror, fostering a dedicated cult audience for her screen presence in subgenre staples like puppet terror and supernatural seduction.[15]Later projects and retirement
Following her prominence in the horror genre during the early 1990s, Spradling diversified into non-horror projects, including a small role as a backstage groupie in Oliver Stone's biographical drama The Doors (1991). She also appeared as Paulette, a ski resort employee, in the comedy Ski School (1991). In the mid-to-late 1990s, Spradling continued with supporting roles in independent films outside horror, such as Lorraine in the crime thriller Johnny Skidmarks (1997) and Ginger, a paramedic, in the drama Broken Vessels (1998). Her television work during this period included guest roles in the action series Viper, as Anna in the episode "Ghost" (1994) and as Dominique in "Shutdown" (1997), and a guest role as Zandy Mason in Pacific Blue (1997). Spradling's final projects marked a further shift toward dramatic and episodic work, including the role of Brigette in the independent drama $pent (2000) and Stacey Mangrini in the episode "Roll Out the Barrel" of NYPD Blue (2000). Her last on-screen appearance was as Stosh's Babe in the comedy-drama A Midsummer Night's Rave (2002), a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream set in a modern rave scene. Spradling's acting career spanned from 1988 to 2002, with her output noticeably decreasing after the mid-1990s amid broader industry changes toward fewer opportunities for B-movie actors.[4] She retired from acting in the early 2000s, transitioning to a career in publishing, where she contributed to the design and launch of The Arroyo Monthly and held senior executive positions at Pasadena Magazine.[4] Throughout her filmography, Spradling earned no major awards or nominations, leaving a legacy tied to low-budget genre films rather than mainstream breakthroughs.[4]Personal life
Marriages and children
She married actor Jason London on February 18, 1997.[16] The couple had begun dating in 1995.[16] Spradling and London welcomed a daughter, Cooper Smith London, on November 7, 1995.[17] The pair separated in the mid-2000s.[18] Their divorce was finalized on March 17, 2011, in Los Angeles Superior Court.[18][16] As part of the settlement, Spradling received sole legal and physical custody of their then-15-year-old daughter, while London was ordered to pay $1,000 per month in child support.[18][19] In June 2011, shortly after the divorce, London filed a petition to reduce the child support amount due to financial difficulties.[20][21]Family and post-acting years
Following her 2011 divorce, Charlie Spradling maintained close family ties, particularly with her mother, Nancy Spradling, and brother, Charles W. Spradling, who provided ongoing support after the death of her father, Charles "Buzzy" Spradling, on June 29, 2022.[5] The family, based in the Fort Worth area of Texas, emphasized privacy and mutual reliance during this period, as noted in her father's obituary, which highlighted their enduring bonds.[5] Post-2011, Spradling resided in Texas, primarily in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, where she focused on raising her daughter, Cooper Smith London, born on November 7, 1995.[17] With sole custody awarded in the divorce proceedings, Spradling prioritized her daughter's upbringing through Cooper's teenage years and into adulthood; by 2025, Cooper, then 30, had reached independence.[20] This family-centered phase aligned with Spradling's shift away from public life, allowing her to nurture personal stability in a familiar Texas environment. In her post-acting years, Spradling adopted a low-profile lifestyle with no reported return to acting or high-visibility professional pursuits in the 2010s and 2020s. Her only notable non-entertainment venture was co-founding Stacked Sally, LLC, a salad company based in Grapevine, Texas, reflecting a pivot toward entrepreneurial activities outside the industry.[4] No public records indicate involvement in philanthropy, hobbies, or other extracurricular endeavors during this time, underscoring her commitment to family privacy. As of 2025, at age 57, Spradling remains retired from acting and continues to lead a private life in Texas, centered on family connections and away from media attention.[4]Filmography
Film credits
Charlie Spradling's film career spanned from 1988 to 2002, with roles primarily in horror, comedy, and independent features. The following is a chronological list of her credited and uncredited appearances in theatrical and direct-to-video films.| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | License to Drive | Uncredited | Rod Daniel | Minor appearance in teen comedy. |
| 1988 | Twice Dead | Tina | Bert L. Dragin | Role in horror film.[22] |
| 1988 | The Blob | Co-Ed | Chuck Russell | Supporting role in sci-fi horror remake.[9] |
| 1990 | Wild at Heart | Irma | David Lynch | Brief role in Palme d'Or-winning road movie.[23] |
| 1990 | Mirror, Mirror | Charleen Kane | Marina Sargenti | Antagonist in supernatural teen horror. |
| 1990 | Meridian | Gina | Charles Band | Supporting role in romantic horror fantasy. |
| 1990 | Puppet Master II | Wanda | David Allen | Parapsychologist in horror sequel. |
| 1991 | Ski School | Paulette | Damian Lee | Supporting role in ski comedy.[24] |
| 1991 | The Doors | CBS Girl Backstage | Oliver Stone | Uncredited cameo in biographical drama. |
| 1991 | Caged Fear | Joy | Bobby Houston | Role in action thriller. |
| 1992 | Bad Channels | Cookie | Ted Nicolaou | Disc jockey in sci-fi horror comedy. |
| 1992 | To Sleep with a Vampire | Nina | Adam Friedman | Lead role as suicidal stripper in vampire drama.[25] |
| 1994 | Angel of Destruction | Brit Alwood | Charles Philip Moore | Supporting role in action film. |
| 1994 | Inside the Goldmine | Stockard | Josh Evans | Role in Generation X drama. |
| 1997 | Convict 762 | Helena | Luca Bercovici | Role in sci-fi action. |
| 1998 | Broken Vessels | Ginger | Scott Ziehl | Supporting role in independent drama. |
| 1998 | Johnny Skidmarks | Lorraine | John Raffo | Role in crime thriller. |
| 2000 | Spent | Brigette | Gil Cates Jr. | Role in independent drama. |
| 2002 | A Midsummer Night's Rave | Stosh's Babe | Gil Cates Jr. | Supporting role in horror comedy. |
Television credits
Spradling's television career included a series of guest appearances and recurring roles across various shows, primarily in the late 1980s and 1990s.[1]| Year | Show | Role | Episode(s) | Air Date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Full House | Rhonda | "Cutting It Close" (Season 2, Episode 1) | October 14, 1988 | One-off guest role.[26] |
| 1988 | Growing Pains | Tawney | "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" (Season 4, Episode 5) | November 16, 1988 | Recurring character across two episodes.[27] |
| 1989 | Growing Pains | Tawney | "Mandingo" (Season 4, Episode 10) | January 11, 1989 | Recurring character across two episodes.[28] |
| 1989 | Married... with Children | Murphy | "Requiem for a Dead Barber" (Season 3, Episode 9) | February 12, 1989 | One-off guest role.[29] |
| 1990 | The Bradys | Teri Dickinson | "Hat in the Ring" (Season 1, Episode 4) | February 28, 1990 | One-off guest role. |
| 1990 | Twin Peaks | Swabbie | Episode 2 | April 19, 1990 | One-off guest role as a worker at One-Eyed Jacks. |
| 1994 | Viper | Anna | "Ghost" (Season 1, Episode 3) | January 14, 1994 | One-off guest role.[30] |
| 1994 | Dead at 21 | Glenna | "Cry Baby Cry" (Season 1, Episode 3) | July 26, 1994 | One-off guest role. |
| 1997 | Viper | Dominique | "Shutdown" (Season 2, Episode 16) | March 7, 1997 | One-off guest role.[31] |
| 1997 | Pacific Blue | Zandy Mason | "Full Moon" (Season 2, Episode 18) | March 16, 1997 | One-off guest role.[32] |
| 2000 | NYPD Blue | Stacey Mangrini | "Roll Out the Barrel" (Season 7, Episode 17) | April 25, 2000 | One-off guest role.[33] |