Farrah Rachael Forke[1](January 12, 1968 – February 25, 2022) was an American actress best known for her roles as Alex Lambert on theNBCsitcomWingsand Mayson Drake onLois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.She also voiced the characterBig Bardaon theanimated television seriesBatman BeyondandJustice League Unlimited,starred as Carey on the short-lived cult sitcomDweebs,Nikki Harkin onMr. Rhodes,Carol Ashby in the pilot episode of the 90's remake ofFantasy Island,and appeared in several made-for-TV movies such asNurses on the Line(1993),Journey to the Center of the Earth(1993),Bionic Ever After?(1994), and theatrical movies likeDisclosure(1994) andHeat(1995).
Farrah Forke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Farrah Rachael Forke January 12, 1968 |
| Died | February 25, 2022(aged 54) |
| Other names | Farrah R. Forke |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1991–2005 |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
editForke was born inCorpus Christi, Texas,on January 12, 1968.[2][1]She was one of two children of Chuck Forke and Beverly (Mendleski).[1][3]Forke was named afterFarrah Fawcett,who was a family friend. In an interview, she said: "I was a huge fan of hers, thinking as a child 'If she can do it so can I.'"[1][4]She attended theHockaday School,an all-girlsprivate schoolinDallas,where she was a cheerleader.[4]She started acting with a role in a Texas production of the musicalThe Rocky Horror Show.After graduating from high school, she relocated toNew York Cityin 1989 to study acting at theLee Strasberg Institute.She also worked as a bartender while studying in the city.[1][4]
Career
editForke made her feature debut in the 1991 filmBrain Twisters(1991).[1][5]
Wings
editShe became best known as Alex Lambert for two seasons on theNBCsitcomWings.Only her second professional acting role, it became one of her biggest roles.
She said she was nervous during the early episodes. "I was so green and so nervous," she said. "There were so many people around, and four cameras. My hands used to shake in the early episodes. You'll see me holding coffee cups with both hands to control the shaking."[4]She drew on personal experience to play the character, who was not at all like the actress. "I am really nothing like her," she said in an interview, "but the toughness I got to display as a real bartender in New York at closing time prepared me for the role of Alex. I would lower the tone of my voice to show I meant business and I used that in my audition. I knew I could play her."[4]
Overall, the part taught the young actress a lot. "It was a great learning experience. I learned so much, especially fromSteven WeberandTony Shaloub."[4]The part was a recurring role during the 1992–93 season, the fourth season of the show, and a regular cast role the following year, the fifth season.[1][6]
Forke was upset not to be asked back for the sixth season as a regular cast member. The writers found the Alex character difficult to write for and felt they had run out of stories for the character and wanted to explore her onscreen boyfriend Brian's (played by Weber) single life instead. Forke was asked back for a guest appearance in one episode of the sixth season, which gave a conclusion to her character.[4]
Post-Wings, Lois & Clark, Justice Leagueand other roles
editAfterWings,Forke starred as Carey, an office manager for acomputer softwarecompany, in the short-lived CBS sitcomDweebs(1995), and then, from 1996 to 1997, aguidance counselorat aprep schoolin NBC'sMr. Rhodes.[7][8]She also appeared onNed and Staceywith herWingscastmateThomas Haden Church.[4]Forke was the voice woman of several companies, such asArby's,Cadillac,Checkers,and Vanderbilt.[5][9]
Forke had a recurring role onLois and Clarkas Mayson Drake, an attorney who considersSupermanavigilante,but holds a candle for Clark Kent.[10][11]
Forke would once again take part in the Superman universe by voicing the characterBig Bardain two episodes ofBatman Beyondand one episode ofJustice League Unlimited,animated shows set inthe same universeasSuperman: The Animated Series.[1][6]
In films, she featured inAcademy AwardwinnerBarry Levinson'sDisclosure(1994),Michael Mann'sHeat(1995),[1]andGround Control(1998).[9]She appeared inKate's Addiction(1998), in which she and actressKari Wuhrerplay women in a lesbian love affair, as well as theTV-moviesNurses on the Line: The Crash of Flight 7(CBS, 1993) withLindsay Wagner.Other TV movie roles includeJourney to the Center of the Earth(NBC, 1993),Complex of Fear(CBS, 1993),Bionic Ever After?(CBS, 1994) (again with Wagner), andAbandoned and Deceived(ABC, 1995).[9][7]
Her final onscreen role was in the 2001 movieIt Is What It Isdirected by Billy Frolick.[12]Forke was very proud of the role. "It's by far the best work I've ever done," she said in a 2003 interview.[3]She also served as executive producer on the movie.[3]Around the time of the 2003 interview, she moved to New Mexico and, though mentioned she was planning to return to LA for pilot season,[3]seemingly decided to retire permanently from acting, later moving back to Texas. She would later say: "I have no plans to return to Hollywood. I love my life here in Texas, raising my twin boys. Life is good."[4]She had one more role, a voice role, in 2005, resuming her voice work as Big Barda inJustice League Unlimited.[13]
Personal life
editForke underwentplastic surgeryin 1989, when she was 21, to receivesiliconebreast implants.However, the implants later ruptured and caused her health complications. She consequently had them removed four years later in February 1993. She then filed alawsuitinHoustonon March 24 of the following year againstDow Corning,theDow Chemical Company,the Inamed Corporation and the McGhan Corporation.[14][15]
She was dear friends with actressCaroline Aaron,who played Mary Pat Lee onWings.The two featured together in Forke's last episode of the series.[4]
Forke met Mark Layton Brown while he was working in the art department ofWings.[4]Together, they had two children: twin sons Chuck and Wit.[1][4]She took a hiatus from acting during the early 2000s and returned to Texas to raise her children, eventually deciding the hiatus would become a permanent retirement from Hollywood.[4][5]
Death
editForke died at her home inSpring, Texas,on February 25, 2022, at the age of 54. She had been battling cancer in the years leading up to her death.[1][6]
Many tributes were paid to her, including from her castmateSteven Weber,who played her onscreen boyfriend Brian inWings,saying: "She was every bit as tough, fun, beautiful and grounded as her character “Alex” onWings."[16][17]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brain Twisters[7][18] | Laurie Stevens | |
| 1992–1995 | Wings[7][19] | Alex Lambert | 35 episodes |
| 1993 | Complex of Fear[13][20] | Vicki | |
| Nurses on the Line: The Crash of Flight 7[7][20] | Fran Markoe | ||
| Journey to the Center of the Earth[7][18] | Dr. Margo Peterson | Television film | |
| 1994 | Bionic Ever After?[7][20] | Kimberly Haviland/Harmon | |
| Disclosure[18][19] | Adele Lewyn | ||
| 1994–1995 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman[19][13] | Mayson Drake | 4 episodes |
| 1995 | A Whole New Ballgame[21] | Angela | Episode: "Brett's Beef"[22] |
| Favorite Deadly Sins[7][19] | Mrs. Spencer | Television film | |
| Heat[18][19] | Claudia | ||
| Abandoned and Deceived[7][18] | Sarah | ||
| Dweebs[18][13] | Carey | 10 episodes | |
| 1996 | Ned and Stacey | Megan Foster | Episode: "A Tender Trap"[23] |
| 1996–1997 | Mr. Rhodes[7][18] | Nikki Harkin | 17 episodes |
| 1997 | Duckman[24] | Herself | Voice, episode: "Aged Heat 2: Women in Heat" |
| 1998 | Jenny[7] | Kyra Campbell | Episode: "A Girl's Gotta Hang with a Celebrity" |
| Grown-Ups[25] | Jeanie | Television film | |
| Ground Control[7][18] | Laura Franklin | ||
| Fantasy Island[7][18] | Carol Ashby | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 1999 | Kate's Addiction[7][18] | Sara | |
| Hitman's Run[7][18] | Sarah | ||
| Party of Five[7][19] | Tracy | 3 Episodes | |
| 2000 | Batman Beyond[26] | Big Barda / Barda Free | Voice, episode: "The Call" |
| 2001 | It Is What It Is[12] | Teresa | |
| 2005 | Justice League Unlimited[19][13] | Big Barda / Barda Free | Voice, episode: "The Ties That Bind" |
References
edit- ^abcdefghijkDiaz, Johnny (March 3, 2022)."Farrah Forke, Who Played a Helicopter Pilot on 'Wings,' Dies at 54".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^Leszczak, Bob (December 25, 2020).There Once Was a Show from Nantucket: A Complete Guide to the TV Sitcom Wings.BearManor Media.ISBN9781629336664.
Farrah Forke was born a Capricorn on January 12, 1968 in Corpus Christi, Texas
- ^abcdFulmer, Marcia (April 21, 2003)."Actress keeping busy, enjoying life in New Mexico".The Elkhart Truth.Archived fromthe originalon July 18, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 26,2009.
- ^abcdefghijklmLeszczak, Bob (December 25, 2020).There Once Was a Show from Nantucket: A Complete Guide to the TV Sitcom Wings.BearManor Media.ISBN9781629336664.
- ^abcSegarra, Edward (March 2, 2022)."Farrah Forke, actor on 'Wings' and 'Lois & Clark,' dies at 54: reports".USA Today.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^abcAurthur, Kate (March 2, 2022)."Farrah Forke, 'Wings' and 'Lois & Clark' Actor, Dies at 54".Variety.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^abcdefghijklmnop"Farrah Forke".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^O'Connor, John J. (September 23, 1996)."Dead Poets Yield To Stand-Up Routines".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedMay 14,2023.
- ^abcBarnes, Mike (March 2, 2022)."Farrah Forke, Helicopter Pilot Alex Lambert on 'Wings,' Dies at 54".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^Peppard, Anna (December 8, 2020).Supersex: Sexuality, Fantasy, and the Superhero.University of Texas Press. p. 224.ISBN9781477321607.
- ^Saclao, Christian (March 2, 2022)."Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Actress Farrah Forke Dies at 54".Geekspin.RetrievedMarch 5,2020.
- ^ab"It Is What It Is (2001)".Radio Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2022.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^abcde"Farrah Forke".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^"Implant lawsuit".The Victoria Advocate.Victoria, Texas.March 26, 1994. p. 6D.
- ^Langford, Terri (March 25, 1994)."Actress Files Breast Implant Lawsuit".Associated Press.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^Weber, Steven (March 2, 2022)."Instagram".instagram.RetrievedApril 2,2022.
- ^"'Wings' actress Farrah Forke dies at 54 ".Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.March 3, 2022.RetrievedApril 2,2022.
- ^abcdefghijk"Farrah Forke".British Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon January 13, 2018.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^abcdefg"Farrah Forke List of Movies and TV Shows".TV Guide.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^abc"Farrah Forke – Filmography".Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^"Cautionary Love Stories".The Washington Post.February 12, 1995.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^TV Guide.Vol. 43. Triangle Publications. 1995.
- ^TV Guide.Vol. 44. Triangle Publications. 1996. p. 113.
- ^Locker, D. V. D."DVD Locker".dvdlocker.Archived fromthe originalon August 27, 2021.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^"Grown-Ups (1998)".Radio Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 5, 2022.RetrievedMarch 5,2022.
- ^Perlmutter, David (May 4, 2018).The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows.Rowman & Littlefield. p. 63.ISBN9781538103746.