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"When I see myself on film it makes me smile, I mean making a good living doing what I enjoy is so much fun. I just hope that everyone has the chance to enjoy life like I do." Adrienne Barbeau is a happy lady, with so much in her life to bring her joy. She got her start on Broadway in the 1970s, and has stayed popular and working ever since that time. While she played in some low-budget productions on the big screen, she's also been in well-recognized movies, TV shows, and theater productions. The versatility Barbeau has shown throughout her career has been one of the big reasons for her continued success.

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Not only has she been in a number of films and other productions, but she's also been in the voice for characters in animated series and cartoons. People make reference to her in other shows, as well. She truly is a household name. But how did she get to that point? What did she do to get a start in the industry, and what does she plan to do now that she's had a long career? It's pretty safe to assume that she's not done with the entertainment industry and the joy it brings to her. Read on to find out everything you need to know about Barbeau and all her talent.

Growing Up, and Her Early Years

Born in Sacramento, CA, Barbeau's father worked for Mobil Oil as a public relations executive. She has one sister, and a half-brother named Robert who still lives in Sacramento. She went to high school in San Jose, at Del Mar High School, and toured with the San Jose Civic Light Opera. She went with that group to Southeast Asia to entertain troops, and that's where she realized that acting was something she enjoyed. Because of her interest in the entertainment industry, she moved to New York in the 1960s and worked as a go-go dancer.

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She continued to look for singing and acting roles, and made her Broadway debut in Fiddler on the Roof, as part of the chorus. Later she played the role of Hodel in that same production. Bette Midler played the role of Hodel's sister. In 1971, she left that production to play in an off-Broadway musical where she was offered the lead. It was called Stag Movie, and called for nudity. Not all critics embraced the production or the actors' abilities, but after that play Barbeau would go on to be the star in over 25 plays and musicals, including Grease, Women Behind Bars, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

The 1970s saw her with a recurring role on Maude (1972-1978), and roles on The Love Boat, Battle of the Network Stars, Fantasy Island, and Valentine Magic on Love Island. In the 1980s she was cast in horror movies such as The Fog (1980) and Creepshow (1982). Her then-husband John Carpenter was the director of The Fog, which did very well commercially and made Barbeau a star in film, as well as on television. Many of the films in which Barbeau starred or had a role during the 1980s are now considered to be cult classics. Most people know her from Cannonball Run (1981), which was also wildly popular at the time of its release.

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From Low-Budget Cult Films to a More Distinguished Career

About some of the work she has done, Barbeau has said, "I spent years working in low-budget horror films. When you've done 'Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death,' you can handle anything!" That film starred Barbeau, future talk-show host Bill Maher, and model and actress Shannon Tweed. It came out in 1989. In the 1990s, Barbeau was mainly on television shows and made-for-TV movies. She has been on The Drew Carey Show, and guest starred in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 1999.

She has reviewed books and had a talk radio show for a Los Angeles radio station, and released an album of folk songs. Since 2000 she has voiced cartoon characters for various animated series and video games, starred on an HBO series, and has had guest appearances on shows like Grey's Anatomy and Dexter. She has also returned to the stage, and continues to take small roles that interest her. While she has led a charmed life in many respects, she has also generally stayed away from Hollywood social circles, preferring a quieter life when she's not on the stage or in front of the cameras.

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Barbeau has been married twice, and is the author of an autobiography and three novels. Her fictions works are co-written with Michael Scott, and were published in 2008, 2010, and 2015. Her autobiography came out in 2006. It's clear that Barbeau has much more to offer to the acting and entertainment world, and she'll keep working on the projects that she finds interesting and important to her. Fans haven't seen the last of everything Barbeau has to offer, and can expect continued great things from this talented actress.