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Maren Jensen

American former model and actress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maren Kawehilani Jensen[2] (born September 23, 1956)[i] is an American former model and actress, best known for portraying Lieutenant Athena in the 1978–1979 television series Battlestar Galactica. Jensen also made guest appearances in several US television series, such as The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

Born (1956-09-23) September 23, 1956 (age 69)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • businesswoman
Yearsactive1978–1981
Quick facts Born, Occupations ...
Maren Jensen
Jensen in 1978
Born (1956-09-23) September 23, 1956 (age 69)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
  • businesswoman
Years active1978–1981
Known forBattlestar Galactica
Deadly Blessing
SpouseJohan Kugelberg
Children1[1]
Websiteglowbeautyfuel.com
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Early life

Maren Kawehilani Jensen was born in Arcadia, California, and raised in Glendale.[1][6] Her middle name means “the morning mist from heaven” in Hawaiian.[2] Her father, Ralph Oscar Jensen, was a physician of Danish descent.[2] Her mother is Winona (née Kanahele) Jensen.[7]

Jensen attended Herbert Hoover High School from 1971 to 1974, and after graduating received a scholarship to attend the University of California, Los Angeles, where she majored in Theater Arts and Law. She dropped out after her third year.[1]

Career

While still in college, Jensen began a modeling career.[2] She was featured on the covers of Vogue and Mademoiselle.[2] A mutual friend introduced her to the agent Barbara Gale, who helped arrange two network commercials and a role in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries in 1977. From 1978 to 1979, Jensen starred in Battlestar Galactica in the role of Lieutenant Athena. She was featured on the cover of TV Guide in April 1979. Her last known role was in Wes Craven's 1981 horror film Deadly Blessing alongside Sharon Stone. Her career was cut short by illness, after she contracted Epstein-Barr Syndrome.[8] In 1993, Jensen co-founded the cosmetics brand Stila with celebrity makeup artist Jeanine Lobell, which became one of the best selling makeup brands in retailers like Sephora.[9][10]

Jensen 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 her. She is credited for "Harmony Vocals" on the song "Johnny Can't Read," and is credited in the liner notes for having composed the piano intro and interlude on the song "A Month of Sundays" on Henley's 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. She appeared in the video for Henley's song "Not Enough Love In the World" in 1985. Henley and Jensen were engaged, but they separated in 1986.[8] Jensen helped Henley establish The Walden Woods Project in the early 1990s, an organization dedicated to protecting the Walden Woods area in Concord, Massachusetts from development.[citation needed]

In 2020, Jensen co-founded with Laura Shoemaker the company Glow Beauty Fuel, a maker of beauty protein bars.[9][10]

Personal life

Jensen was reported[who?] to be married to John Kugelberg and they were also reported[who?] to be separated. They have kept everything about their relationship very private and out of the public eye, including their marriage and separation dates. Neither has shared any photos together. She has been reported[who?] as living in the New York metro area[11] and has been visiting the Los Angeles metro area from time to time because of business, family, and friends. She has a daughter and a stepson.[1]

Filmography

More information Film and Television, Year ...
Film and Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1978The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesMaryann Dalton / Teri TurnerEpisode: "Death Surf"
1978Battlestar GalacticaLieutenant AthenaFeature film
1978–79Battlestar GalacticaLieutenant AthenaMain role (21 episodes)
1979The Love BoatSuzanna WellsEpisode: "Love Me, Love My Dog/Poor Little Rich Girl/The Decision"
1980Fantasy IslandValerieEpisode: "Jungle Man/Mary Ann and Miss Sophisticate"
1980The Love BoatSharon PatrickEpisode: "The Mallory Quest/Julie, the Vamp/The Offer"
1981Beyond the ReefDianaFeature film
1981Deadly BlessingMartha Schmidt
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Notes

  1. While an October 1978 newspaper article notes Jensen as a "21-year-old actress,"[3] the California Birth Index lists her birthdate as September 23, 1956.[4] In the Variety's Who's Who in Show Business, her birthdate is also listed as September 23.[5]

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