Maren Jensen
Encyclopedia
Maren Kawehilani Jensen (born September 23, 1956) is a former American model and actress, best known for portraying Athena
in the 1970s television series Battlestar Galactica
.
. Her father was a physician, and her mother was secretary with the Los Angeles Zoo. She is a middle child, with a brother, Dana (who is five years older), and a sister, Kathleen, who is seven years younger. Maren attended Herbert Hoover High School
from 1971 to 1974, and after graduating received a scholarship to attend UCLA, where she majored in Theater Arts and Law.
While still in school, Maren began a modeling career and soon appeared on the covers of Vogue and Mademoiselle. A mutual friend introduced her to agent Barbara Gale. The contact resulted in two network commercials and an appearance in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
in 1977. In 1978, she starred in Battlestar Galactica
, and appeared on the cover of TV Guide
in April 1978.
Maren was a longtime companion of singer-songwriter Don Henley
. In 1982, Henley released his first solo album, I Can't Stand Still
, and dedicated it to Jensen. She is also credited for "Harmony Vocals" on the song "Johnny Can't Read", and is also credited in the liner notes for composing the piano
intro and interlude on the song "A Month of Sundays" on Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast
. She appeared the video for Henley's song "Not Enough Love In the World" in 1985. Henley and Maren Jensen were engaged, but eventually separated in 1986. Maren helped Henly found The Walden Woods Project in the early 1990s, an organization dedicated to protecting the Walden Woods in Massachusetts from development.
Maren developed chronic fatigue syndrome
but has since recovered from the condition. The illness contributed to her leaving the acting profession. Her last role was in Wes Craven
's 1981 horror film Deadly Blessing
alongside Sharon Stone
.
In 2003, at the age of 46, Maren Jensen posed for test photos at the Playboy Studio in Los Angeles. She was going to be a part of a pictorial centered around women in their forties, but the project was eventually canceled, and the photos were never released publicly. (Classic tv hits.com)
Maren Jensen is now Maren Jensen-Kugelberg, as she has been married for many years.
Lieutenant Athena
Lieutenant Athena is a fictional character in the original Battlestar Galactica television series, which ran on ABC from 1978 to 1979. The character was portrayed by Maren Jensen.-Character history:...
in the 1970s television series Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A. Larson. It starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict and ran for one season in 1978–79. After cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama, Lieutenant Boomer and...
.
Biography
Maren Jensen was born in Glendale, CaliforniaGlendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
. Her father was a physician, and her mother was secretary with the Los Angeles Zoo. She is a middle child, with a brother, Dana (who is five years older), and a sister, Kathleen, who is seven years younger. Maren attended Herbert Hoover High School
Herbert Hoover High School (Glendale)
Herbert Hoover High School is a public high school in Glendale, California. The school's colors are purple and white.Hoover High School, named after Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, is located on in Glendale...
from 1971 to 1974, and after graduating received a scholarship to attend UCLA, where she majored in Theater Arts and Law.
While still in school, Maren began a modeling career and soon appeared on the covers of Vogue and Mademoiselle. A mutual friend introduced her to agent Barbara Gale. The contact resulted in two network commercials and an appearance in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries is a television series which aired for three seasons on ABC...
in 1977. In 1978, she starred in Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A. Larson. It starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict and ran for one season in 1978–79. After cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama, Lieutenant Boomer and...
, and appeared on the cover of TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
in April 1978.
Maren was a longtime companion of singer-songwriter Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
. In 1982, Henley released his first solo album, I Can't Stand Still
I Can't Stand Still
I Can't Stand Still is the first solo album by Don Henley, released in 1982 originally on Asylum Records then re-released in 1999 by Warner Bros. Records. The album went gold, reached #24 on the charts, and released three singles, including the huge hit "Dirty Laundry," which reached #3 on the...
, and dedicated it to Jensen. She is also credited for "Harmony Vocals" on the song "Johnny Can't Read", and is also credited in the liner notes for composing the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
intro and interlude on the song "A Month of Sundays" on Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast
Building the Perfect Beast
Building the Perfect Beast is the second album by Don Henley, released in 1984. The album became a huge hit for Henley, forming him into a solo star. The album reached #13 on the charts and sold 3 million copies. It also released four Top 40 singles including "The Boys Of Summer" which won Henley...
. She appeared the video for Henley's song "Not Enough Love In the World" in 1985. Henley and Maren Jensen were engaged, but eventually separated in 1986. Maren helped Henly found The Walden Woods Project in the early 1990s, an organization dedicated to protecting the Walden Woods in Massachusetts from development.
Maren developed chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
but has since recovered from the condition. The illness contributed to her leaving the acting profession. Her last role was in Wes Craven
Wes Craven
Wesley Earl "Wes" Craven is an American actor, film director, writer, producer, perhaps best known as the director of many horror films, particularly slasher films, including the famed A Nightmare on Elm Street and Wes Craven's New Nightmare, featuring the iconic Freddy Krueger character, the...
's 1981 horror film Deadly Blessing
Deadly Blessing
Deadly Blessing is a horror movie directed by Wes Craven, released in the United States on August 14, 1981.-Synopsis:Martha and Tom Schmidt live in an isolated farm named 'Our Blessing', where most of it's population are of the Hittite religion. Jim used to be a Hittite himsef but left the...
alongside Sharon Stone
Sharon Stone
Sharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
.
In 2003, at the age of 46, Maren Jensen posed for test photos at the Playboy Studio in Los Angeles. She was going to be a part of a pictorial centered around women in their forties, but the project was eventually canceled, and the photos were never released publicly. (Classic tv hits.com)
Maren Jensen is now Maren Jensen-Kugelberg, as she has been married for many years.
Filmography
- The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesThe Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesThe Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries is a television series which aired for three seasons on ABC...
(one episode, 1978) - Maryann Dalton/Teri Turner - Battlestar GalacticaBattlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, created by Glen A. Larson. It starred Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict and ran for one season in 1978–79. After cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama, Lieutenant Boomer and...
(19 episodes, 1978–1979) - Athena - The Love BoatThe Love BoatThe Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
(3 episodes, 1979–1980) - Sharon Patrick - Fantasy IslandFantasy IslandFantasy Island is the title of two separate but related American fantasy television series, both originally airing on the ABC television network.-Original series:...
(one episode, 1980) - Valerie - Beyond the ReefBeyond the Reef"Beyond The Reef" is a song written by Canadian Jack Pitman in Hawaii in 1948. It was first performed by Hawaiian artist Napua Stevens in 1949. Bing Crosby covered the song a year later in 1950 and Elvis Presley recorded his version of the song on May 27, 1966. The Elvis recording was only released...
(1981) - Diana - Deadly BlessingDeadly BlessingDeadly Blessing is a horror movie directed by Wes Craven, released in the United States on August 14, 1981.-Synopsis:Martha and Tom Schmidt live in an isolated farm named 'Our Blessing', where most of it's population are of the Hittite religion. Jim used to be a Hittite himsef but left the...
(1981) - Martha Schmidt - Battle of the Network StarsBattle of the Network StarsBattle of the Network Stars is the name of 19 US television specials featuring competitions among teams of popular television performers representing the three major broadcast networks at that time: ABC, CBS, and NBC.- History :...
(1978)