Dedee Pfeiffer

With a career spanning more than three decades, Dedee Pfeiffer has established herself as a versatile actress whose credits include cult classics, hit television series, acclaimed dramas, and some of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars. The younger sister of Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Pfeiffer, Dedee began her career at 21 with her feature-film debut in John Landis’ "Into the Night" (1985), alongside Jeff Goldblum and her sister Michelle. She soon landed starring roles in the cult favorite "Vamp" (1986), opposite legendary music icon Grace Jones, "The Allnighter" (1987), and "The Horror Show" (1989).

Pfeiffer continued to build an impressive film résumé throughout the 1990s, appearing opposite George Clooney in "Red Surf", Michael Douglas in "Falling Down", and Keanu Reeves in "Tune in Tomorrow". She also appeared alongside her sister Michelle in "Frankie and Johnny" and "Up Close & Personal", as well as in "My Family" and numerous independent films. On television, she became a familiar face to audiences as a series regular on the acclaimed comedy "Cybill", starring Cybill Shepherd and Christine Baranski, which earned a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Ensemble. She also starred in "For Your Love" and made memorable guest appearances on such iconic shows as "Seinfeld", "Friends", "Ellen", "ER", "CSI", "CSI: NY", and "Wanted".

Beyond acting, Pfeiffer has explored her creative talents as a producer, including the award-winning independent film "Loredo". She also starred in and produced the short film "The Tub", which received multiple festival honors, including a Best Actress award. But in 2010, at the height of her established Hollywood career, Pfeiffer made the life-changing decision to step away from acting and focus on her recovery from alcohol addiction. What followed was an extraordinary second act: she returned to school, earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, and ultimately received her Master of Social Work from UCLA. She then worked professionally in social services, concentrating on mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness.

After nearly a decade away from Hollywood, Pfeiffer made a triumphant return to the screen in 2020 when she joined the cast of ABC's "Big Sky", the David E. Kelley-created drama. Set against the rugged landscape of Montana, the series follows private detectives investigating the disappearance of two sisters. Pfeiffer portrayed Denise Brisbane, a role created specifically for her by Kelley, who is married to her sister Michelle. Her return marked a new chapter in a career that had already taken her from cult films and network television to the world of social work and back again.

A single mother of two sons, Dedee Pfeiffer's Hollywood story is anything but conventional. She has experienced the highs of a successful acting career, confronted addiction, rebuilt her life through recovery and education, dedicated herself to helping others, and ultimately found her way back to the entertainment industry. Today, her remarkable journey gives her a perspective few actors possess—and a story that extends far beyond the characters she has played on screen.