If you’re looking for the definition of a strong female, then look no further than Jenette Goldstein. The actress was born in California in 1960 and eventually found herself studying at London’s Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and at Circle in the Square Theater in New York City. Education and a unique look played to her fortune and her first credited, on-screen role was in Aliens (1986), where she played the supporting role of Private Vasquez. Aliens 2 was a massive success, taking the #1 spot at the box office for four weeks in a row and becoming the #7 release of that year. This was only the beginning of a terrific run in horror, science fiction and action-thrillers.
Her next big role was in Near Dark (1987), where she played the supporting character of Diamond Back. Near Dark was kind of a flop at the box office, but it has recently gained a massive cult classic following. This movie was followed up with another supporting role in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), where Jenette played the part of Meagan Shapiro. Lethal Weapon 2 was huge, taking the #1 spot at the box office for three weeks and becoming the #3 release of that year. Finally, Jenette booked the small part of Janelle Voight in Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991). Terminator 2 was even bigger than Lethal Weapon 2 and was the #1 movie in theaters for four weeks and became the the #1 release of 1991.
Things started to change in her career after that. She kept acting, of course, but the roles were much smaller and far more spaced out. She also made the jump to television; appearing in guest spots on popular television shows like “Civil Wars,” “The Clients,” MacGyver” and “LA Law” from 1992 to 1995. Her credits kept getting smaller and smaller and she was relegated to cameos in Star Trek: Generations (1994), Titanic (1997) and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). Her last noteworthy credit in the 90’s was a guest spot on famiy-drama “7th Heaven.”
So, where is Jenette Goldstein now?
She stayed with television for the early part of the 2000’s, booking cameos or guest spots on TV shows like “Alias,” “ER,” “Six Feet Under” and “Strong Medicine” from 2000 to 2003. She was featured in scifi-comedy Clockstoppers in 2002 and briefly recurred on “24” in 2004. She returned to the horror genre with a small role in 2008’s Autopsy and booked a guest spot on “Medium” in 2010. Her most recent credits include a cameo in drama A Hollywood Affair (2013) and a supporting role in comedy Under the Hollywood Signs (2014). She also continues to act in stage plays.
