Baker first came to attention with an Emmy-winning supporting role in the miniseries "Holocaust" (1978). She has appeared regularly in films since her 1979 debut as Alan Alda's teenage daughter in "The Seduction of Joe Tynan". Among her more notable roles were as Molly Ringwald's self-involved older sister in "Sixteen Candles" (1984) and as the ruthless news station director in "Livin' Large" (1991). Baker made her Broadway debut in the title role of "Lolita" (1981) opposite Donald Sutherland. Daughter of actress Carroll Baker and director Jack Garfein.
- Also Credited As:
Blanche Garfein, Blanche Van Dusen
- Born:
December 20, 1956 in New York, New York
-
Job Titles:
Actor, Sculptor
Family
-
Brother: Herschel David Garfein. born c. 1957
-
Daughter: Dara Van Dusen. born c. 1986
-
Daughter: Wynnie Van Dusen. born c. 1993
-
Father: Jack Garfein. separated from Baker's mother in 1964
-
Mother: Carroll Baker. separated from Baker's father in 1964
-
Son: Zane Van Dusen. born c. 1984
-
Step-father: Donald Burton.
Education
-
Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Milestones
-
1978 Professional stage debut in "White Marriage" with Yale Repertory Company
-
1978 TV debut in miniseries "Holocaust"; won Emmy Award
-
1979 Film acting debut in "The Seduction of Joe Tynan"
-
1979 Had female lead in the ABC Christmas drama "Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith"
-
1981 Broadway debut in title role of Edward Albee's stage adaptation of "Lolita"
-
1983 Played a real-life teenage bride who was kidnapped on her honeymoon in the CBS movie "The Awakening of Candra"
-
1984 Cast as Molly Ringwald's older sister in "Sixteen Candles"
-
1986 Acted in "Raw Deal"
-
1986 Co-starred with Marlo Thomas in the CBS telefilm "Nobody's Child"
-
1988 Appeared in "Shakedown" and "Bum Rap"
-
1991 Had featured role in the comedy "Livin' Large"
-
1992 Took classes in sculpting
-
1995 Last film role (to date) "Dead Funny"
-
1996 Began exhibiting her artwork using her married name, Blanche Van Dusen
-
Raised in NYC and L.A.