Sybil Danning is an Austrian–American actress, model, and film producer. She is best known for her frequent appearances in B movies during the 1970s and 1980s. Born in Ried im Innkreis, Upper Austria, Austria on May 24, 1952. Danning spent most of her childhood on military bases and traveling with her family around the world. After their return to Austria, she landed a job as a dental hygienist to support her family following her parents' divorce. At the age of sixteen, Danning left her home and relocated to Salzburg, where she enrolled at a school of cosmetology. Working as a cosmetician, Danning was soon offered fashion shows and photo layouts. She made her onscreen debut in the German comedy, “Komm nur, mein liebstes Vögelein” (1968), followed by the role of Kriemhild in the erotic action film, “The Long Swift Sword of Siegfried” (1971). She continued receiving small parts in films mostly based on her sex symbol image.
In 1978, Danning moved to Hollywood to further her career. Roger Corman's space opera cult classic, “Battle Beyond the Stars” (1980) helped to established her as a B movie actress. She appeared in a number of films during the 1980s: “Chained Heat” (1983), “Hercules” (1983), “Malibu Express” (1985), “The Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf” (1985), and “Reform School Girls” (1986).
In 1990, her acting career was disrupted when she suffered a spinal disc herniation while rehearsing a film stunt.
From 2002 to 2003, Danning was a shareholder of the German ice hockey team, SC Riessersee. As the first ever female co-owner of a German hockey team, Danning brought in three American players to the team, and saw the team return to the Vice Championship
Danning returned to Austria in 2008 to play Patrick Swayze's witness Anna Gruber in the drama film “Jump!”, loosely based on the real-life Halsman murder case. She also appeared in five episodes of the gay-themed vampire television series ‘The Lair’ as a sinister vampire out for revenge. In 2010, Danning appeared in the horror film, “Virus X”. In 2011, she starred in and produced a horror/music video for American hard rock band, the Last Vegas.
Sybil appeared in one Euro-western as Jenny O’Hara in 1976’s “God’s Gun” starring Lee Van Cleef and Jack Palance. She played the mother of Johnny (Leif Garrett) although she was only nine years older than him.
DANNING, Sybil (aka Sybil Daning, Cybil Danning, Sybill
Danning, Sybelle Danninger, Sybil Dunning)
(Sybille Johanna Danninger)
[5/24/1952, Ried im Innkreis,
Upper Austria, Austria - ] – model,
producer, writer, film, TV actress, married to Horst Lasse (1991- ).
God’s Gun – 1976
(Jenny O’Hara)
I remember that movie. Leif Garrett's character, Johnny, was the product of a rape that Sam Clayton, played by Jack Palance, had committed while his gang was disrupting a town during the aftermath of the American Civil War. So in other words, Johnny's father was actually Sam Clayton but Johnny's mother didn't want him to know for fear of the town labeling him as a "bastard". This becomes evident in two scenes. One where Sam Clayton asks Johnny why he's not in school to which Johnny replies, "It's MY saloon." and then lies about his father's death saying he was killed in a gunfight and that quote, "He was too fast so they shot him in the back". Then there's the scene where Jenny reveals the truth to Sam and tells him, "Sam Clayton, I'm the mother of your son." Of course, she is referring to Johnny. Makes since when you think about it. He's legally illegitimate and that means that Sam Clayton is NOT his biological father per se. But then again, I suppose he COULD be. Please correct me if I'm wrong but at least I THINK that's how that works. Interesting fact. Jack Palance's actual son, Cody Palance, made his acting debut with "God's Gun" playing the role of Zeke Clayton. There's another actor in the film who would go on to create "Ghost Whisperer" with Jennifer Love-Hewitt. His name is Ian Sander and he played Red Clayton in the film. As for Richard Boone? He was dubbed in the film. Terribly. And it doesn't help that half of the actors walked off the project with some leaving before the film was actually shot. Let's face it. When it's hot as balls in Israel in 1975, you would do ANYTHING just to stay in this picture. And then some. Nevertheless a great film.
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