Sarah Douglas (born 12 December 1952) is an English actress. She is perhaps best known for playing the Kryptonian supervillain Ursa in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). Her other prominent roles include that of the evil Queen Taramis in the 1984 film Conan the Destroyer, and Pamela Lynch in the 1980s primetime drama series Falcon Crest (1983–85).
Superman, Superman II, Conan the Destroyer, Return of the Living Dead 3, The People That Time Forgot, The Return of Swamp Thing, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, Strippers vs Werewolves, Solarbabies, Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time, Witchville, Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge, Meat...
TV Shows
Hillside, Falcon Crest, V: The Final Battle, Heavy Gear, Thundercloud, The Inheritors
Star Sign
Sagittarius
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Trademark
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Often plays menacing, sinister villains
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Statuesque, model-like figure
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Highly defined cheekbones
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Quote
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[on Christopher Reeve] At the beginning he was a very fresh-faced young American and at the end it was difficult. He definitely got caught up with his own Superman image.
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Acting in more science fiction films would be fine by me. I love doing them.
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It was terrific. On the strength of that I was asked to do the series, but at the same time the role of Pamela Lynch in Falcon Crest came along and I had to choose between wearing nice earrings and posh frocks or being a lizard. I chose Falcon Crest, although in retrospect perhaps I should have taken V. In that, I was one of three bitches; in Falcon Crest, one of twenty-seven! - Starburst Summer 1990 - on the topic of V: The Final Battle
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I had a great time hurtling around in the flying sequences. You'll really believe a woman can fly... - TV Times June 1980
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I did everything in my power not to be an actress. I went off and did a teacher-training course first, so I could teach English and Drama - because I'm not thick, surprisingly enough. I then worked in a factory, in the sterilising department of a hospital, and then moved to France - I did everything I could to make sure acting was not the only solution. That's why nothing deters me now, because I know there's nothing else I can do. - Film Review June 1981
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Fact
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She is the only actor to appear in both Superman (1978) and Superman (1996).
Repeatedly turned down the role of Queen Taramis in Conan the Destroyer (1984) more than once as Sarah had no interest in playing any more comic-strip villainesses, having cornered the market in that role with her character, Ursa, from Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980). However, she had a change of heart when learning that Grace Jones had joined the cast, being somewhat of an admirer of Grace and her work, and so changed her mind and signed up.
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Was offered the job on Falcon Crest (1981) literally a few hours before she was due to fly back to London, having been hunting for work in the United States for three months. Despondent at not having found any acting jobs, Sarah booked a flight home, and received a call from Lorimar to say that they wanted her for the show. If the call had come through a day later, the producers would have missed her.
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Originally cast to play the lady in the commercial in "Tommy". However, when she arrived to film her part, Ken Russell didn't like the hat she was given to wear, so he replaced her with another actress, rather than changing the hat. Bizarre, but true! The details of this can be heard on the Conan the Destroyer (1984) commentary she recorded in 2004.
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Was originally approached about the possibility of playing Evil-Lyn in Masters of the Universe (1987), but it never came about, and the part was ultimately played by Meg Foster.
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Has an uncredited role in the original Rollerball (1975). She was hired to play one of the Party Guests, but in her own words, found "a way to being in the dressing room" when the camera was on. The details of this can be heard on the Conan the Destroyer (1984) commentary she recorded in 2004.
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Studied drama at the Rose Bruford Drama School prior to pursuing an acting career on both stage and British television.
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At age 14, she toured throughout Europe with Britain's prestigious National Youth Theatre and was in the year below Helen Mirren.
$15 Million
