Kristin Bauer
About
Biography
Biography
Kristin Bauer van Straten was an American actress known for her TV roles as sinister beauties: the vampire Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on "True Blood" (HBO 2008-2014) and Maleficent the evil queen on "Once Upon a Time" (ABC 2011- ). She was born Kristin Neubauer on November 26th, 1966 in Racine, Wisconsin. Growing up in a rural area with a passion for guns and horses, she was also drawn to the artistic world. Though she studied fine arts in college, she decided to pursue acting and moved to Los Angeles. She struggled there for her first few years, working as a window washer and nanny, among other professions, in order to scrape by. Her first major television gig came with a starring role as one of the flight attendants on "The Crew" (Fox 1995-96). She continued to appear in small roles in film and TV, most notoriously as Gillian, a woman with "man hands" whom Jerry dates on "Seinfeld" (NBC 1989-1998). In addition to her work as an actress, she worked for animal rights and conservation charities, adopting many strays into her own household. She also continued to paint and draw. Her most recognizable role came as the icy series regular Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on "True Blood." She was later cast as the notorious Maleficent in the popular fantasy series "Once Upon A Time."
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1993
Moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting
1994
Made her small screen debut in an episode of "L.A. Law" (NBC)
1995
First recurring role in a series, playing flight attendant Maggie Reynolds on "The Crew" (FOX)
1996
Had a memorable appearance on an episode of "Seinfeld" (NBC) as 'Man Hands' Gillian
1997
Had a recurring role on the short-lived ABC series, "Total Security"
2000
Played Candy Cooper in the CBS family drama, "That's Life"
2001
Starred in the award winning short film, "Room 302"
2002
Cast as the sexy 'porn mom' on the NBC series, "Hidden Hills"
2004
Had a small role in "50 First Dates," starring Adam Sandler
2008
Cast as vampire Pam on the HBO series, "True Blood"
2011
Portrayed Maleficent on "Once Upon A Time"
