THE PHANTOM

KRISTY SWANSON

KRISTY SWANSON (Diana Palmer) is the free-spirited young lady, forever returning from some adventurous jaunt to unexplored places, who becomes the romantic interest of "The Phantom."
Swanson is best known for her portrayal of Buffy in the tongue-in-cheek comedy, "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer," and for her controversial role as a college student discovering sexuality in John Singleton's "Higher Learning."
Born in Mission Viejo, California, she began her acting career at the age of nine, performing in over thirty television commercials during the next four years. Her first television series was "Dreamfinder" for the Disney Channel.
So that she could pursue her acting career, Swanson's parents moved the family to Los Angeles, commuting themselves back to Orange County. She continued to do commercials before landing roles in two John Hughes films back to back, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Pretty in Pink."
Her first leading screen role came in the Wes Craven thriller, "Deadly Friend." She then starred with Academy Award®winner Louise Fletcher in "Flowers in the Attic." Other major film credits include "Hot Shots" with Charlie Sheen, "The Program," and the action-thriller "The Chase," where she was reteamed with Sheen.
"Diana Palmer is a girl from back East who comes from a well-to-do family, who is expected to marry the right guy and make babies and spend money," explains the actress. "But that's not her at all. She's very fiesty, wants to be out there and experience life, and have adventures."
About Diana's attraction to the Phantom: "Well, he looks good in his purple tights, so what woman wouldn't be attracted? Diana's in the jungle on this adventure with a man who is big and strong and good looking and mysterious. I think she's attracted to all that." And Billy Zane? "He was great to work with. He's very energetic and supportive, he's really cool."
Swanson recalls a scene with Zane as the Phantom as they rode his white stallion, Hero, across an island beach in Thailand. "It was gorgeous, with white sand and crystal blue water. We took off at full gallop riding the splashing surf. I was laughing and having the time of my life."
"I think audiences will share our fun. The film has comedy, action, adventure, and it's really an exciting, fast-moving story."
Miss Swanson was pleased to have met Lee Falk on location. "He's a sweet and lovely man. I felt honored that I was playing the character that he created. Here we were filming something that he wrote 60 years ago. It just felt good."

TM The Hearst Corporation