Donna Pescow

Donna Pescow
Donna Pescow | Source: Pinterest
Birthday:
March 24, 1954
Birth Sign:
Aries

Who is Donna Pescow?

Donna Pescow is a veteran American actress and director, best known for her memorable role as Annette in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever. She also starred in classic TV sitcoms like Angie and Out of This World, and later became a favorite among younger audiences for playing Eileen Stevens in Even Stevens on the Disney Channel.

Education & Training

Donna graduated from Sheepshead Bay High School in Brooklyn in 1972. She later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she trained extensively in acting. Interestingly, she had to relearn her native Brooklyn accent for some roles after losing it during her formal training.

She also studied under Carl Weathers, who later gained fame in Rocky and Predator.

Career Highlights

Donna Pescow began her career on stage in Off-Off-Broadway productions. She landed her first major role in the musical Poor Old Fool (1973), but her breakthrough came when she played Annette in Saturday Night Fever (1977), starring opposite John Travolta.

Television Milestones:

  • 1977: One Life to Live as Celena Arquette
  • 1979–1980: Angie – Title role as Angie Falco Benson
  • 1982–1983: All My Children – Dr. Lynn Carson
  • 1987–1991: Out of This World – Donna Garland
  • 2000–2003: Even Stevens – Eileen Stevens

She also made guest appearances in numerous popular series, including:

  • NYPD Blue
  • The Sopranos
  • Clueless
  • Crossing Jordan
  • General Hospital

Relationship & Personal Life

Marital Status: Married
Spouse: Arnold Shepard Zelonka
Marriage Date: November 1987
Children:

  • Son: Jack Casey Zelonka (born in 1989)

Donna Pescow has maintained a low-profile personal life. She and her husband, Arnold Zelonka, have been married for over three decades. The couple resides in Los Angeles, California, and prefers to stay away from the spotlight.

Past Relationship:

  • She briefly dated actor Robert Hays in 1979, though little is known about the timeline or duration of their relationship.

Awards & Recognition

Donna Pescow’s talent has been acknowledged with several nominations:

  • Golden Globe Nomination (1980): Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical (Angie)
  • Daytime Emmy Nomination (2003): Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series (Even Stevens)

Though she hasn’t taken home the awards, her contributions to television and film have been deeply appreciated by fans and critics alike.

Fun Facts

  • She had to retrain her accent for her breakout film role.
  • She co-starred with Debralee Scott and Doris Roberts in Angie.
  • Despite her fame, she has kept her family life entirely private.

Legacy

Donna Pescow stands as a symbol of versatility and longevity in American entertainment. From heartfelt dramas to children’s sitcoms, she has left a lasting mark on multiple generations of audiences. Whether in 1970s film classics or early 2000s Disney Channel hits, her work remains timeless. 🌟

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