Dominique Dunne

Dominique Dunne was born to a life of privilege in Santa Monica. After her parents' divorce, she moved first to New York and then to a posh home in Beverly Hills. Upon graduation from high school, Dominique went to the University of Colorado to study acting, leaving after one year to pursue her career.

Three weeks after arriving in Hollywood, she landed her first gig. Others roles soon followed, notably her role as Dana Freeling, the eldest daughter in Poltergeist, and Dominique was soon well known in the Hollywood social scene. Well liked by all who knew her, Dominique seemed to be at the top of the world. Then, at a party she met John Thomas Sweeney, the chef at popular LA nightspot Ma Maison. The two began a relationship, which turned stormy. Sweeney was uncontrollable and abusive (so abusive that Dominique did not need makeup to play the role of an abuse victim on Hill Street Blues)

Dominique made a guest appearance on "CHiPs" in "Meet the New Guy" as Amy Kent. It aired October 10, 1982.

Dominique ended the relationship on October 30, 1982. That same night, a distraught Sweeney raced to her house, where she and actor David Packer were rehearsing a scene from V: The Final Battle, dragged her outside, and strangled her, leaving her brain dead. Five days later, she was removed from life support and died just nineteen days before her 23rd birthday.

Cedars-Sinai Hospital Medical Center, where Dunne died, were adamant in stating that they did not shut off her life-support system.

John Thomas Sweeney, Dunne's killer, was 26 years old at the time. After being sentenced to 6 years in prison for assault and unintentional manslaughter, he was freed after only two and a half years.

External links

• Dominique Dunne at the Internet Movie Database