Rhonda Bates
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Rhonda Bates | |
|---|---|
 Rhonda Bates 2014 | |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1975–1990 |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
Rhonda Bates is a former American actress. In 1978, she starred in the NBC miniseries Rollergirls.[1] She played the recurring character Evelyn Thadburn on the first season of the NBC sitcom CPO Sharkey.[1] Standing 6 ft 2 in tall, she is well known for her height.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Bates grew up in Evansville, Indiana, graduating from Reitz High School in 1966.[1][2] She studied health and physical education at the University of Evansville, and earned a master's degree in theater at the University of Arkansas.[2] She then taught health and physical education at Cynthia Heights Elementary School in Evansville before heading to California.[1]
Career
[edit]Bates first received attention doing a standup comedy act at The Comedy Store.[2] She was noticed by a producer who hired her for a Don Rickles TV special.[2]
In 1975, Bates was hired as a featured player on the short-lived variety sketch show Keep on Truckin', featuring Didi Conn, Fred Travalena and Wayland Flowers.
Bates had a recurring role in the 1976–77 season of the Don Rickles sitcom CPO Sharkey, as the love-interest of 6'7" tall Seaman Pruitt, played by actor Peter Isacksen. She appeared in just one episode of Sharkey's second season, as her focus turned to a recurring role on Blansky's Beauties, where she played Arkansas, a gawky Vegas showgirl; the series was cancelled after 13 episodes. She also appeared on the 1977 sitcom Rollergirls, as roller derby queen Mongo Sue Lampert; the series was cancelled after four episodes. Bates also guest starred in a Love Boat episode where she played an ugly stepsister in a Cinderella storyline.
In 1979, Bates played Enid in Gabe Kaplan's college basketball comedy film Fast Break.
In 1980, Bates was in the film Roadie, co-starring rocker Meat Loaf and comedy legend Art Carney.
She later had a co-hosting role on Speak Up, America (a Real People – inspired TV magazine / reality show). One of her co-hosts was former-child-evangelist-turned-actor Marjoe Gortner.
Bates continued to work in a few TV guest shots up until 1988, then apparently quit acting around age 40.
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "Rhonda Bates black and blue after filming 'Rollergirl' role". Evansville Courier & Press. April 23, 1978. p. 85. Retrieved April 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 Davis, Rich (December 21, 1986). "Actress tries 'new image'". Evansville Courier. Retrieved November 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
[edit]- Rhonda Bates at IMDb
