Karen Duffy
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Biography
Witty, alluring performer whose offbeat charm and amiability landed her a gig as an MTV VJ. Duffy's (aka "Duff" on-air) less-than-serious approach to her job quickly made her a favorite to viewers. Unlike many of her predecessors who quickly fell into obscurity, she diversified into commercials and feature appearances. She made her feature debut playing a "Crack Den Girl" in the Christopher Walken actioner "McBain" (1991). Her subsequent feature credits include small roles in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X" (1991), "Who's the Man" (1993)--which also featured such MTV luminaries as Dennis Leary and Ed Lover--and "Reality Bites" (1994) in a cameo spoofing MTV's "The Real World." Duffy made her first substantial feature performance as a woman reminiscent of Mrs. Robinson ("The Graduate") in the Disney comedy "Blank Check" (1994).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1991
Feature acting debut, "McBain"
1994
First film in a substantial role, "Blank Check"
1996
Discovered to have a brain lesion which was eventually diagnosed as sarcoidosis of the central nervous system, a rare disease with an unknown cause; underwent treatment with steroids, cherotherapy and morphine
1997
Disclosed her illness on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in March
1999
Co-starred in "The 24 Hour Woman"
Family
Companions
