Dominique Dunne

Dominique Dunne was an American actress born on November 23, 1959. She began her career in the entertainment industry with her on-screen debut in the television film Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker in 1979. Following this, she showcased her talent in recurring roles on the drama series Family in 1980 and the comedy series Breaking Away from 1980 to 1981.

Her most notable performance came in 1982 when she portrayed Dana Freeling in the iconic horror film Poltergeist, which became a significant success. This role marked a turning point in her career, leading her to headline the Western film The Shadow Riders and make a guest appearance in an episode of the crime series CHiPs, both in the same year.

Tragically, Dominique's life was cut short when she was strangled by her ex-boyfriend John Sweeney during a heated argument on October 30, 1982. She fell into a coma and succumbed to her injuries five days later, passing away on November 4, 1982, at the tender age of twenty-two.