- published: 23 Jul 2011
- views: 5322
Virginia G. Madsen (born September 11, 1961) is an American actress and documentary film producer. She came to fame during the 1980s, having appeared in several films aimed at a teenage audience. Two decades later, she had an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated role in the 2004 film Sideways.
Madsen was born in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Elaine (née Melson), an Emmy-winning poet, producer and playwright who often works for PBS, and Calvin Madsen, a fireman. Madsen's mother left a career in corporate business to pursue a writing career. Madsen's brother is actor Michael Madsen. Her paternal grandparents were Danish and her mother has Irish and distant Native American ancestry. Madsen is a graduate of New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois.
Her first effort as an actor was as her brother’s assistant in magic shows the two would concoct for their family. She later attended the Ted Liss Acting Studio in Chicago and Harand Camp Adult Theater Seminar in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Of her experience with Liss, she said: "I had wanted to join his class since I was 12. It was well worth the wait because I don't think I could have got that sort of training anywhere else especially in the United States...I always wanted to make a real career out of acting."
When I go to sleep I never count sheep
I count all the charms about Linda
And lately it seems in all of my dreams
I walk with my arms about Linda
But what good does it do me?
For Linda doesn't know I exist
Can't help feelin' gloomy
Think of all the lovin' I've missed
We pass on the street, my heart skips a beat
I say to myself, "Hello Linda"
If only she'd smile, I'd stop for a while
And then I would get to know Linda
But miracles still happen
And when my lucky star begins to shine
With one lucky break I'll make Linda mine
I count all the charms about Linda
I walk with my arms about Linda
But what good does it do me?
For Linda doesn't know I exist
Can't help feelin' gloomy
Think of all the lovin' I've missed
I say to myself, "Hello Linda"
And then I would get to know Linda
But miracles still happen
And when my lucky star begins to shine
With one lucky break I'll make Linda mine