Lara Wendel (born Daniela Rachele Barnes; 29 March 1965) is a retired German-Italian actress, active in film and television between 1972 and 1993. Her father was American football player and actor Walt Barnes.
Life and career Wendel is the daughter of German actress Britta Wendel and of the American football player and film actor Walt Barnes. She made her debut at just four years old as a model for ads, and at the age of seven, she made her film debut in Tonino Valerii's giallo film My Dear Killer (1972). She also appeared as Mario Adorf's daughter Rita in Manhunt (1972), directed by Fernando Di Leo, and as the young Silvia in The Perfume of the Lady in Black (1974), directed by Francesco Barilli.
Wendel had her first main role at 12 years old in the controversial erotic drama Maladolescenza (1977), which involved both nudity and simulated sex among preadolescents. Later she appeared in other controversial films, characterized by plots involving incest and improper relations between adults and adolescents, such as Little Girl in Blue Velvet, Mimi (1979), and (1980).
In the 1980s Wendel was mainly active in horror films, working with Dario Argento (Tenebrae, 1982), Lamberto Bava (Midnight Killer, 1986), Joe D'Amato (Killing Birds, 1988), and Umberto Lenzi (Ghosthouse, 1988) among others. She was also in a number of art films, including Michelangelo Antonioni's Identification of a Woman (1982) and Federico Fellini's Intervista (1987). She also appeared on television, notably playing a starring role in the second season of the TV-series La piovra. Her last film was Mauro Bolognini's erotic drama Husband and Lovers (1991), and she retired at just 26 years old.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1972 My Dear Killer Stefania Moroni 1972 The Italian Connection (Manhunt) Rita Canali Uncredited 1972 The Assassin of Rome Bambina tedesca Uncredited 1973 Redneck German Girl 1974 The Perfume of the Lady in Black Young Silvia 1977 Maladolescenza Laura 1978 Little Girl in Blue Velvet Laura / Francesca's daughter 1979 Ernesto Ilio / Rachele (US: Emilio / Rachel) 1979 Mimi Mimmina 1979 Satan's Wife Daria Rhodes 1980 Desideria II 1981 Viva Montero 1982 Identification of a Woman Girl in swimming pool 1982 Tenebrae Maria Alboretto 1983 Karen 1985 Fatto su misura Lisa 1985 Michela 1986 Midnight Killer Carol Terzi 1987 Intervista Bride 1985 Susan 1988 Killing Birds Anne 1988 Ghosthouse Martha 1989 The Red Monks Ramona Icardi 1991 La villa del venerdì (Husband and Lovers) Louisa
References
External links
Official website