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Throughout her diverse career, Sandra Peabody starred in several cult films, soap operas, commercials, and stage plays, was a pioneer in producing award-winning local family television shows that involved the ideas of children, and is widely recognized in the industry for being an influential acting coach and talent agent-launching the careers of several child actors and helping them navigate entering the industry. Peabody grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she made her professional acting debut as a teenager in the educational film Misfit (1965), followed by a supporting role in the mystery film The Horse Killer (1966). Also in 1966, she portrayed Wanda in the stage play "Enter Laughing" at the Hollywood Little Theater.

After graduating Stranahan High School in 1966, Peabody moved to New York and studied under master acting teacher Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse and later got a degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Peabody had appearances in acclaimed stage plays such as "The Odd Couple", "Stop the World - I Want to Get Off" and "Little Mary Sunshine" (all in 1969). In 1970, she appeared in the experimental off-Broadway folk rock-mime musical "Tarot" at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which was co-directed by The Rubber Duck and Robert Kalfin. Peabody found success when Wes Craven cast her as protagonist Mari Collingwood in his directorial debut horror film The Last House on the Left (1972). Despite the film initially having a polarizing reception, it has received critical reevaluation years after release and is considered one of the most influential films of all time. The production was challenging for Peabody as an actress and although she found it difficult filming it, her well received performance has led to her being a prominent figure in horror film history.

Peabody later portrayed Anna Reed, a young woman involved in a cult, in the horror film Voices of Desire (1972) and Gwen in the New York shot horror film Massage Parlor Murders! (1973). Peabody later achieved further recognition on stage when she starred alongside Barbara Eden in the critically acclaimed musical "Annie Get Your Gun" (1973-1974). She was cast as teenager Minnie Oakley, the younger sister of protagonist Annie Oakley. Throughout the early 1970s, Peabody appeared in commercials and guest starred in several television soap operas such as One Life to Live (1968), The Edge of Night (1956), and As the World Turns (1956). Peabody later starred as Bird in the exploitation comedy road movie Teenage Hitchhikers (1974), which has been regarded as a cult film. The film is one of Quentin Tarantino's favorite films and was included in the sixth Quentin Tarantino Film Festival at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas in 2005. Peabody's performance in the film was highlighted by critics for her comedic timing abilities. After starring in the play "Tunnel of Love" (1977) at the Oregon Ridge Dinner Theater, Peabody decided to retire from acting to pursue other paths in the entertainment industry.

After moving to Portland, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Peabody launched a successful career as a freelance producer and writer. Her main focus was creating family-oriented programming for local Portland television, as content for children was rapidly declining at the time due to a small audience viewership and a lack of funding. Her first success was creating the 26-episode children's variety series Get Moving (1982). Peabody would later earn two Emmy Awards, among several other awards, for producing the acclaimed educational series Popcorn (1985), which was an immediate success with audiences as it involved their creative input and it featured a variety of celebrity guest. Peabody included a "Spotlight on Kids" segment on the show to showcase local talent and toured local schools for ideas that interest children. In 1994, Peabody served as the casting director for Wee Sing Under the Sea (1994). Since the 1980s, Peabody has also worked as an acting coach and talent agent. Her training with Meisner during her youth had a profound impact on her and has served as the foundation for her teaching. Peabody has helped launch the acting careers of several people including Bret Harrison and Alicia Lagano.

Peabody is married to production sound mixer Tim Stubelek and they have one son, drummer Tyson Stubelek.

Sandra Peabody in The Last House on the Left (1972)

Drama teacher and children&#39;s television producer (August 2002)

During the filming of the more confrontational and violent scenes of <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/title/tt0068833/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">The Last House on the Left (1972)</a>, Peabody spent a lot of time on set being consoled by director <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0000127/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Wes Craven</a> due to how horrible she was being treated by her male costars.

Initially, she was asked to audition for the role of Phyllis in <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/title/tt0068833/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">The Last House on the Left (1972)</a>. However, after meeting <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0000127/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Wes Craven</a> and <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0192446/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Sean S. Cunningham</a> she was chosen to play the lead role of Mari.

Was heavily involved in the emerging film industry in Miami, Florida during her early career before moving to New York.

Attended a cast screening of <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/title/tt0068833/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">The Last House on the Left (1972)</a> with her mother. Upset with what she was seeing, Peabody ultimately walked out.

Gave acting lessons to <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0365501/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Bret Harrison</a>.

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Sandra Peabody

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