Sunset Boulevard billboard
Yesterday I was in one of those “Whatever Happened To?” modes and was thinking about Angelyne, the billboard queen of the 1980s who became a Hollywood icon by having a billboard of herself.
Her life was pretty mysterious and you can’t find too much information via Google.
She came from out of nowhere but did a few music videos (really good, like a cross between Blondie and Missing Persons and Berlin) and cameo appearances in movies, most famous, “Earth Girls are Easy.” But then she also did some low budget films in the 1970s. She also sang in a band called Baby Blue.
Angelyne didn’t have a rich husband who paid for these billboards, she was single and said the money came from investors. She was also a candidate in a 2003 California recall election.
No one knows the real age of this eccentric lady. In some recent photos she appears elderly with a ton of plastic surgery and make-up, but according to a Los Angeles register of voters list, which only has her first name, it said she was 44 in 2007, which doesn’t make sense considering that she was making films in the 1970s and was already an adult.
In 1996, The Neurotic Ousiders played tribute to her with their song, Angelina. I knew who they were singing about immediately!
And in 2012, her most famous billboard was used in the movie, “Rock of Ages.”
Angelyne in recent years, still driving her pink Corvette, with vanity license plate of her name
If you “Google” you’ll find so many cool things about Angelyne and discover that she has an amazing fan base. She’s often seen in Hollywood, driving her corvette. She’ll let fans take a picture if they purchase one of her t-shirts, for a mere $20, which she keeps in her trunk.
I think she’s kinda cute and endearing.
Reblogged this on Maryanne's Jukebox.
Wow that’s a lot of surgery! Hugs Paula x
Think it is safe to say that Angelyne’s favorite color is pink.
LOL!!! You’re so funny, Andrew! Yes, I’d say that too
Angelyne must wake up everyday thinking that she will wear pink that day. Her pink eye shadow is too cool.
Yes! I love the pink eye shadow too. I used to wear that shade when I was 18 in the early 1980s and had bleached blonde hair as well. (But I was more punk rock looking, not hyper-sexy like Angelyne). What did you think of her song?
I will be 70 next year, or otherwise I may have liked that song more. I am more into 40′s and 50′s music. Imdb.com has this info on Angelyne. with her being born in Idaho in 1958, which would make her 65 this year. Also has this info on Angelyne:
Birth Name
Angyline Angelyne
Trade Mark
Her goal, to be “famous for being famous”
Her enormous bust
Platinum blonde hair
Sparkling blue eyes
Lisp, breathless voice
Trivia
Model
Noted for her flamboyant self-promoting billboards in Los Angeles.
Candidate for city council of Hollywood (if it secedes from Los Angeles) [2002]
Garnered 2,533 votes in the 2003 California governor’s recall election.
One of her billboards was featured in the opening credits of “Moonlighting” (1985)
In the movie Escape from L.A. (1996), with Los Angeles in ruins, Snake Plissken walks up Hollywood Boulevard and looks up to see a pristine Angelyne billboard.
In 2007, she was the subject of questions posed to celebrity guest Valerie Plame Wilson in an episode of the NPR radio show “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me!” during the segment “Not My Job”. Plame had no correct answers.
She is the author of an as-yet unfilmed screenplay “The Bra that Ate L.A.” about a mad scientist who invents a supernatural power-converting brazier.
Oh wow, you’re the Research King! Thanks so much for all that extra info. She’s definitely an interesting person.
Maryanne, Was surprised to find that info, but still not too sure of that age, since she looks older than 55 in the photo you posted.
Yes, I think older than 55 too, but I didn’t want to sound catty. No matter what age she’s still in great shape though, right?
Yes she is in great shape for whatever age she is. Very interesting lady and glad you wrote this post about her.
Sorry that would make her 55….never was any good at math.
I think she’ more like in her 60′s or 70′s now. I actually saw her in a Sav-On Drug Store in the Valley years ago. And well, I think there comes a time when women should stop trying to look as if they are still a teenager and dress more “gracefully”. I think it’s more becoming to be ourselves as we progress in time than to stay stuck and become like a cartoon. Ok, I tried to say all that as nice as I could…….
Oh wow, so cool you actually saw her! I agree about not trying to look like a teenager. I was just saying that to my husband at dinner about Angelyne. I said she could still do the hair and make-up, but maybe a cooler look, like Stevie Nicks fashion but in pink to keep it true to her? Longer, witchy skirt, some lace, a vintage pink shawl — she’d look super cool, no?
Cool post, I had heard of Angeline before, as the woman who was famous in LA because she put billboards of herself up haha. It really epitomizes the whole stereotypical LA vibe I think, fame for the sake of fame and all that, not that I’m having a poke at it though! God knows the world needs it’s characters and eccentrics
Thanks for sharing Maryanne, as I’d never seen her before
Rohan.
Yes, definitely well put! I miss some of the characters I saw regularly when I worked in NYC and Hoboken, New Jersey. When I used to sell my art in Union Square, I’d see this woman who looked like an elderly version of Bridget Bardot, and dressed to the nines, make-up, hair, high heel shoes, still clinging to her youth. When I saw the elderly version of Angelyne, I immediately thought of the Bridget Bardot woman.
yes, I remember her! Though i don’t remember the music video at all. But when I see a billboard I remember the woman who posted herself on a billboard and became famous. This was a nice little trip down memory lane. Thanks for purring a name to the face.
When my husband and I were in the LA area visiting my Mother in law, we were sitting in traffic and a pink Corvette pulled up next to us with a flashy blonde driving. She pulled away and we saw the license plate reading, “Angeline”. My Mother in law said, “Oh she’s famous around here! She has billboards of herself all over”. That was my brush with Angeline.
Great story, Renee! Thanks
I’ve never heard of this woman! Or, if I have, I’ve forgotten her. Cute post!