Terri Treas is an American actress, writer and director who has starred in films and on television.
She is best known for her role as Cathy Frankel, one of the alien "Newcomers" on the short-lived science fiction television series Alien Nation (1989–1990) and the five subsequent TV movies continuing the storyline.
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Early years
Treas was born in Kansas City, Kansas. Her dancing led to a scholarship with the Joffrey Ballet when she was 15 years old.
Career
Treas began her career on stage, frequently as a dancer in Broadway shows. Broadway productions in which Treas appeared include Working (1978), Dancin' (1978), Pal Joey (1976), and My Fair Lady (1976).
On television, she appeared in the 1980s series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers as Hannah McFadden from 1982 to 1983, the Fox Network series DEA, and Santa Barbara.
Her first movie role was in the 1979 movie All That Jazz; her other film roles are So Fine (1981), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) and House IV (1992).
In 1992, Treas directed her first movie, Play Nice, starring Louise Robey.
Treas has made guest appearances on many TV shows, such as Knight Rider, Crazy Like a Fox, The A-Team, Murphy Brown, and Roseanne.
As of 2019, Treas was teaching at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory. She also has taught at The Playground and at the University of Southern California's Masters Writing Program, where she directed that school's One Act Play Showcase.
Personal life
Treas married producer Michael Zand.
Selected filmography
All That Jazz (1979)
Headin' for Broadway (1980)
So Fine (1981)
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) – The Chicken Ranch Girl
Something in Common (1986 TV film) – Nancy Webster
Deathstalker III (1988) – Camisarde
The Nest (1988) – Dr. Morgan Hubbard
The Terror Within (1989) – Linda
The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) – Girl in Bed
Frankenstein Unbound (1990) – Voice of Computer
Nightmare on the 13th Floor (1990) - Judith Teller
Rage and Honor (1992) – Rita Carrion
Play Nice (1992) – Director
House IV (1992)
Snapdragon (1993) – Co-writer with Gene Church
Little Miss Millions (1993) – Susan Ferris
Yankee Zulu (1993) – Rowena
Alien Nation: Dark Horizon (1994 TV film) – Cathy Frankel
Alien Nation: Body and Soul (1995 TV film) – Cathy Frankel
Scene of the Crime (1996) – Captain Lorraine Hanover