Brenda Venus
Brenda Venus | |
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| Occupation | Author, actress, producer & director. |
Brenda Venus was born in Biloxi, Mississippi on November 10, 1957. She is an actress, author, ballet dancer, director, and producer. In her early 20's, Brenda Venus met the famed Henry Miller -- June, 1976. He became her mentor and she his muse. Over 4,000 pages of letters were written by Henry Miller which were later collected into the book, "Dear, Dear Brenda" -- The Love Letters of Henry Miller to Brenda Venus'(ISBN 0-688-02816-0). In addition, she is a best-selling author: "Secrets of Seduction for Men" and "Secrets of Seduction for Women." Her books have been translated into 37 languages. Publishers William Morrow & E.F. Dutton sent her on a worldwide publicity tour making various appearances on TV, radio plus interviewing for magazines & newspapers. For over 6 years, Venus wrote a column for Playboy Magazine and free-lanced for Cosmopolitan, Detail Magazine & Esquire, among others.
Early career
Brenda Venus began her career as a Beauty Queen winner, then a ballerina for American Ballet Theatre, fashion and swimsuit model, film actress and later a producer, director and editor of documentaries. Also, she is a photographer and cinematographer. She also had her own radio show on KROC in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Literary Giant Henry Miller wrote, "To love at the end of ones life is something special. Few women can inspire that sort of love. To wake up with the words on love one one's lips--what bliss! Just to say "Brenda" puts me in ecstasy." -- from the book, JOEY. Nobel Laurate, Lawrence Durrell wrote: "The role of Brenda Venus will keep its interest and importance also as a memorial of his last great attachment--an Ariel to his Prospero... She enabled him to dominate his infirmities and to experience all the Joys of Paradise. How grateful we all are for her kindness and loving insight!" -- from the book, DEAR DEAR BRENDA.
Writer Ed Millis from the article "The VENUS de MILLER" Vertigo Magazine: "Brenda was 20, Henry was 84. She was a beautiful Southern belle, "The Boticelli of Mississippi" -- he called her. Henry, the renegade intellectual, the writer, had taken millions of us to the sexy TROPIC OF CANCER and CAPRICORN. Now he was sick and slowly recuperating. He needed a life in spirits."
Erica Jong wrote: "Brenda became Henry's Venus -- his goddess of love. How apropos her namesake was VENUS."
CLINT EASTWOOD directed her first important film, "The Eiger Sanction." "Muscle & Fitness Magazine" published a 12 page article and CENTERFOLD, a layout on Brenda Venus, which was written by Bill Dobbins and shot by Harry Langdon.
The "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" taped an interview and photographed her Beverly Hills apartment for two days. Ken Marcus was the photographer on the shoot.
Images
Many famous photographers have photographed her face, such as Hollywood's immortal George Hurrell. He included her photo in his last photo album of "famous movie stars" - a coffee table book.
The esteemed Pompeo Posar, photographed her layout for a Celebrity Magazine. The stylish MARTIN, shot hundreds of photos throughout the years, along with his other celebrities.
Ken Marcus, a protege of Ansel Adams, was her sole photographer for over 10 years and published a book of black and white photos, called VENUS.
Throughout the world, several great artists have painted her portrait. The latest artist, Gary Dobry is painting and sketching a series of work inspired by Venus. The show was called, "Mentors." It will ran from Nov. 19—Dec. 14 2010, at the Zhou B Art Center/Art Matrix Gallery, Chicago, Il.
Film and TV
Brenda Venus appeared in the Clint Eastwood film, The Eiger Sanction and several other films. She also appeared as a host/narrator in, [[Love & Sex in LA (documentary film)|]
- Kung Fu-The Demon God with David Carradine
- FM
- 48 Hrs.
- Valentino
- The Ballerina
- Against a Crooked Sky
- Love & Sex in LA
She appeared on the soap opera The Bold And The Beautiful. She also appears in a short documentary film, Dinner With Henry (1979), directed by Richard Young.
Brenda is presently writing and producing a "reality show" of which she has designed all the garments. It is still a work in progress...
Russian Play
On her birthday, November 10, Russia's prime minister Vladimir Putin requested that she visit Moscow as his guest. The invitation was to attend the "first night" of a play written by a famous Russian playwright, entitled, VENUS... a play about her life, accompanied by an inspiring score. Members of the Bolshoi Ballet were cast along with Olympian Gold Medalist, Svetlana Khorkina, who played Brenda Venus!. After the first night, she met with hundreds of paparazzi awaiting a response... She was stunned by the accolade they created.