Lisa Eilbacher: Beverly Hills Cop star who retired from acting over two decades ago

Lisa Eilbacher, best known for her role alongside Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop, was a rising star in the 1980s. However, just seven years after her breakout role, she decided to step away from the spotlight. Fans have long been curious about what led to her early departure from Hollywood and what she has

Lisa Eilbacher, best known for her role alongside Eddie Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop, was a rising star in the 1980s. However, just seven years after her breakout role, she decided to step away from the spotlight. Fans have long been curious about what led to her early departure from Hollywood and what she has been up to since.

What has Lisa Eilbacher been doing all these years, and what inspired her to leave the film industry? Read on to find out.

Table of Content hide 1 Lisa Eilbacher biography 2 Lisa Eilbacher career 3 Lisa Eilbacher movies 3.1 Film 3.2 Television 4 Lisa Eilbacher’s net worth 5 Lisa Eilbacher family 6 Lisa Eilbacher age 7 Lisa Eilbacher now

Lisa Eilbacher biography

Lisa Marie Eilbacher was born on May 5, 1956, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Her father was an American oil executive, which led to her early years being spent in Saudi Arabia. Although she is of German ancestry, Eilbacher spent a significant part of her childhood in Paris, France, where she was raised before moving to Beverly Hills, California, at the age of seven.

Eilbacher comes from a family of five children. She has two siblings who were also in the entertainment industry. Her younger sister, Cindy Eilbacher, and her brother, Bobby Eilbacher. All three siblings eventually left acting by 1995. Her family’s move to Beverly Hills marked a turning point in her life and career.

After relocating to Beverly Hills, Eilbacher quickly adapted to her new environment. She was spotted by a talent agent while walking with her mother, leading to her early start in acting. Eilbacher’s ability to speak French was an asset, but she soon became fluent in English as well.

Eilbacher stands at 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall. Known for her striking looks and athletic build, she is also an avid bodybuilder. Her exact weight has varied over the years, but she has maintained a fit and healthy lifestyle, which contributed to her ability to take on physically demanding roles in her acting career.

Aside from acting, Eilbacher developed a passion for bodybuilding. This hobby not only kept her in excellent physical condition but also provided her with a sense of discipline and perseverance. Her dedication to fitness became a notable aspect of her personality and life.

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Lisa Eilbacher career

Eilbacher began her acting journey as a child, swiftly making her presence known on American television. After moving to Beverly Hills, California, her career kicked off when a talent agent noticed her while she was out with her mother. She soon appeared in various TV series, including “Wagon Train”, “My Three Sons” and “Gunsmoke”. These early roles helped Eilbacher hone her acting skills and gain experience in the industry.

In her teenage years, Eilbacher continued to build her career. She was featured in the motion picture “The War Between Men and Women” in 1972 starring Jack Lemmon and Barbara Harris. Her versatility and talent shone through in her performances, allowing her to transition smoothly from child roles to more mature characters.

Eilbacher’s breakthrough came with her role as “Callie Shaw” in “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries” in 1977. This role brought her significant recognition and paved the way for more prominent parts. She also appeared in the short-lived TV series “Logan’s Run” and guest-starred on “Man from Atlantis”, where she played Juliet in an episode.

In 1982, Eilbacher starred as Casey Seeger in “An Officer and a Gentleman”. Playing a naval aviation officer candidate who struggled with the obstacle course, she brought depth to the character by pretending to be out of shape despite being an avid bodybuilder in real life.

Eilbacher is perhaps best known for her role as Jenny Summers in the 1984 film, “Beverly Hills Cop”. In this blockbuster, she played the childhood friend of Eddie Murphy’s character, Axel Foley, reuniting with him to solve the murder of a mutual friend. Her performance in this film further cemented her status in Hollywood.

Throughout her career, Eilbacher was featured in several notable television films and miniseries. In 1981, she starred in “This House Possessed” and, in 1983, she played Madeline Henry in the miniseries “The Winds of War”, opposite Robert Mitchum.

Eilbacher continued to work in television throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. She starred in the ABC detective series, “Me and Mom”, in 1985, alongside Holland Taylor. Although the show was short-lived, her performance was well-received. She also had recurring roles in series like “Midnight Caller,” where she played Nicky Molloy from 1990 to 1991.

Her later career included roles in TV films such as “Deadly Deception” (1987), “Manhunt: Search for the Night Stalker” (1989), and “Deadly Matrimony” (1992). She made her last acting appearance in the mid-1990s with roles in TV films like “The Return of Hunter” and “Dazzle”.

By 1995, Eilbacher, along with her siblings Cindy and Bobby, retired from acting. Her decision to step away from the limelight was a personal one which wasn’t disclosed to the public..

Lisa Eilbacher movies

Film

  • The War Between Men and Women (1972) – Caroline Kozlenko
  • Run for the Roses (1977) – Carol
  • On the Right Track (1981) – Jill Klein
  • An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) – Casey Seeger
  • 10 to Midnight (1983) – Laurie Kessler
  • Beverly Hills Cop (1984) – Jenny Summers
  • Deadly Intent (1988) – Laura Keaton (Video)
  • Never Say Die (1988) – Melissa Jones
  • Leviathan (1989) – Bridget Bowman
  • The Last Samurai (1991) – Susan
  • Live Wire (1992) – Terry O’Neill
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    Television

  • My Three Sons (1969) – Bunny (Episode: “Teacher’s Pet”)
  • Alias Smith and Jones (1971) – Bridget Jordan (Episode: “The Posse That Wouldn’t Quit”)
  • Bonanza (1972) – Eloise (Episode: “First Love”)
  • The Waltons (1973) – Lois-May (Episode: “The Fire”)
  • The Brady Bunch (1973) – Vicki (Episode: “The Subject Was Noses”)
  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1973) – Jeannie Holden (Episode: “The Pool House”)
  • Gunsmoke (1973) – Melody (Episode: “Kimbro”)
  • The Texas Wheelers (1974) – Sally (Episode: “Wailin’ Wheeler Is Dead”)
  • Apple’s Way (1974) – Gloria (Episode: “The First Love”)
  • Bad Ronald (1974) – Ellen Wood (TV film)
  • Shazam! (1974) – Cathy Moore (Episode: “The Doom Buggy”)
  • Movin’ On (1975) – Cathy (Episode: “Landslide”)
  • Gunsmoke (1975) – Lailee (Episode: “The Sharecroppers”)
  • Caribe (1975) – Cindee (Episode: “The Patriots”)
  • Panache (1976) – Lisa (TV film)
  • The Streets of San Francisco (1976) – Gail Dobbs (Episode: “Dead or Alive”)
  • The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977) – Callie Shaw (Recurring role, 7 episodes)
  • The Amazing Spider-Man (1977) – Judy Tyler (Episode: “Pilot”)
  • Logan’s Run (1977) – Lisa (Episode: “The Innocent”)
  • Man from Atlantis (1977) – Juliet (Episode: “The Naked Montague”)
  • Hawaii Five-O (1978) – Elaine Sebastian (Episode: “Tall on the Wave”)
  • Wheels (1978) – Jody Horton (TV miniseries)
  • The Ordeal of Patty Hearst (1979) – Patty Hearst (TV film)
  • Love for Rent (1979) – Lynn Martin (TV film)
  • To Race the Wind (1980) – Kit (TV film)
  • This House Possessed (1981) – Sheila Moore (TV film)
  • Simon & Simon (1982) – Stacey Wheeler / Maggie & Sharon Dameron (Episodes: “Earth to Stacey”, “Sometimes Dreams Come True”)
  • The Winds of War (1983) – Madeline Henry (TV miniseries)
  • 55th Academy Awards (1983) – Self – Presenter
  • Ryan’s Four (1983) – Dr. Ingrid Sorenson (Episode: “Ryan’s Four”)
  • Battle of the Network Stars XIV (1983) – Self – ABC Team
  • Me and Mom (1985) – Kate Morgan (Main role, 6 episodes)
  • The Twilight Zone (1986) – Andie Fields (Episode: “Nightsong”)
  • Monte Carlo (1986) – Maggie Egan (TV film)
  • Deadly Deception (1987) – Anne (TV film)
  • Manhunt: Search for the Night Stalker (1989) – Anne Clark (TV film)
  • Joshua’s Heart (1990) – Kit (TV film)
  • Midnight Caller (1990–1991) – Nicky Molloy (Regular role, 19 episodes)
  • Blind Man’s Bluff (1992) – Carolyn (TV film)
  • Deadly Matrimony (1992) – Nina Sloane (TV film)
  • The Return of Hunter (1995) – Sally Vogel (TV film)
  • Dazzle (1995) – Fernanda Kulkullen (TV film)
  • 919 Fifth Avenue (1995) – Janet Van Degen (TV film)
  • Lisa Eilbacher’s net worth

    Several sources claim that  Eilbacher’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.  This wealth primarily comes from her long-standing career in television and film.

    Lisa Eilbacher family

    Eilbacher is one of the five children birthed by her parents. Her father was an American oil company executive, which explains her birthplace in the Middle East.

    Notably, she has two siblings who were also actors: Cindy Eilbacher and Bobby EilbacherCindy. Like their sister, the duo embarked on a career in acting, appearing in various television shows and movies before eventually stepping away from the spotlight.

    Her brother, Bobby, also ventured into acting but, along with his sisters, retired from the industry by 1995.

    The Eilbacher siblings were quite active in Hollywood during their careers, showcasing their talents in numerous television and film productions.

    Eilbacher married Bradford May, a television and film director, on August 27, 1988. The couple has maintained a relatively private life away from the public eye since her retirement from acting.

    Lisa Eilbacher age

    Eilbacher is currently 68 years old as of 2024.

    Lisa Eilbacher now

    Lisa Eilbacher has largely stepped away from the public eye in recent years. Her last known role was in the 1995 TV movie, “919 Fifth Avenue”. Since then, she has made only a few public appearances, including a photo from a fan convention in 2017.

    Currently, Eilbacher does not maintain an active presence on social media platforms, which further indicates her privacy preference.

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