Dominique Dunne (born Dominique Ellen Dunne; November 23, 1959 - November 4, 1982) was an American film and television actress.
Biography[]
Dominique Dunne was born to a life of prosperity in Santa Monica. After her parents' divorce, she moved first to New York, and then to a lovely home in Beverly Hills. Upon graduation from high school, Dominique went to the University of Colorado to study acting, leaving after one year to pursue her career.
Three weeks after arriving in Hollywood, she landed her first gig. Others roles soon followed, notably her role as Dana Freeling, the eldest daughter in Poltergeist (1982), and Dominique was soon well known in the Hollywood social scene. Well liked by all who knew her, Dominique was young and hopeful with a bright future ahead of her.
Then, at a party she met John Thomas Sweeney, the chef at popular LA nightspot Ma Maison. The two began a relationship, though his cold nature became more and more apparent to her. Sweeney was uncontrollable and abusive (so abusive that Dominique sadly did not need makeup to play the role of an abuse victim on "Hill Street Blues"(1981)). Dominique ended the relationship on October 30, 1982. That same night, Sweeney went to her house, where she and actor David Packer were rehearsing a scene from "V: The Final Battle" (1984), dragged her outside, and strangled her. She was left in a coma. Five days later, she was removed from life support and passed away, cutting short a young life and leaving behind scores of shocked and angry loved ones. John Sweeney was arrested, though only served 3.5 years in prison for his crime.
