_(cropped).jpg/250px-Amanda_Pays_(44769366005)_(cropped).jpg){kind=small}
_(cropped).jpg)
Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Amanda Pays.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Amanda Pays
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Amanda Pays (born 6 June 1959) is an English interior designer, actress, and television presenter.
Key Information
_(cropped).jpg)
She is known for her television series roles as Theora Jones in Max Headroom and as Tina McGee in The Flash and the 2014 series of the same name. As an interior designer, Pays hosts the show Breathing Room on Fine Living Network.
Early life
[edit]Pays was born on 6 June 1959[1] in London, the daughter of actors Jan Miller and Howard Pays.[2][3][4] Her aunt is the former child actress Mandy Miller.[5]
Career
[edit]Pays made her film debut in The Cold Room. She then acted in Oxford Blues (1984) and she played a French nun, Sister Nicole, in Off Limits (1988 film) with Willem Dafoe, Gregory Hines and Fred Ward.[6] Pays also had a guest role as Phoebe Green in the episode "Fire" (1993) of The X-Files, in the episode "Cindy Plumb" (2006) of Nip/Tuck, and in the episode "Black and Tan: A Crime of Fashion" (2008) of Psych, opposite her husband Corbin Bernsen.[7][8]
She also appeared in early 1980s music videos, including those for "Love Shadow" by Fashion and "Smooth Operator" by Sade.
Pays is an interior designer and hosts Fine Living Network's Breathing Room.[7][9]
She made her television debut in the dual role of Carla Martin and Christa Bruckner in the 1984 cable film The Cold Room, portrayed Sarah in the 1985 miniseries AD (known as Anno Domini in some releases), and narrated the 1988 documentary Computer Dreams. She also appeared in the low-budget 1987 horror film The Kindred and 1989's Leviathan.[6]
In 1985 she played Nikki South in the television film Minder on the Orient Express, alongside Dennis Waterman and George Cole.[10]
Pays was cast in the 2014 The Flash series to play a reimagined version of the character she played in the first series.[11][12]
Personal life
[edit]From 1984 until her 1987 divorce, Pays was married to Peter Kohn, the son of producer John Kohn and the grandson of producer Sam Jaffe. On 19 November 1988, Pays married American actor Corbin Bernsen, with whom she has four sons. Her mother-in-law was The Young and the Restless actress Jeanne Cooper.[13][14]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Oxford Blues | Lady Victoria Wingate |
| 1986 | The Frog Prince | |
| 1987 | The Kindred | Melissa Leftridge |
| 1988 | Off Limits | Nicole |
| 1989 | Leviathan | Elizabeth "Willie" Williams |
| 1991 | A Grande Arte | Mariet |
| 1995 | Solitaire for 2 | Katie Burrough |
| 1996 | Subterfuge | Alex |
| 1997 | Spacejacked | Dawn |
| 2001 | Ablaze | Jennifer Lewis |
| 2020 | Mary for Mayor | Olivia |
| 2020 | Wake Up To Love | Claudia Brady |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Cold Room | Carla Martin/Christa Bruckner | |
| 1985 | AD | Sarah | 5 episodes |
| 1985 | Thirteen at Dinner | Geraldine Marsh | |
| 1985 | Dempsey and Makepeace | Tiffany Grace | 1 episode |
| 1985 | Mr. and Mrs. Edgehill | Vivienne | |
| 1984 | Minder on the Orient Express | Nikki South | Television film |
| 1985 | Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future | Theora Jones | Television film |
| 1987–1988 | Max Headroom | Theora Jones | |
| 1988 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Alexandra Greer | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Parker Kane | Sarah Taylor | |
| 1990–1991 | The Flash | Christina "Tina" McGee | Some episodes were edited into films and released on videocassette as
|
| 1991 | Dead on the Money | Jennifer Ashford | |
| 1993 | Age of Treason | Helena | |
| 1993 | Sade – Life Promise Pride Love | Gangster's Girlfriend (segment "Smooth Operator") | |
| 1993 | The X-Files | Phoebe Green | Episode: "Fire" |
| 1994 | I Know My Son is Alive | Katherine Elshant | |
| 1997 | Hollywood Confidential | Joan Travers | |
| 1996–1998 | Thief Takers | Anna Dryden | |
| 1999 | Vengeance Unlimited | Gail Dawson | Episode: "Vendetta" |
| 1999 | 7th Heaven | Emily Grant | Episode: "Sometimes That's Just the Way It Is" |
| 1999 | It's Like, You Know... | Angela Blendal | 1 episode |
| 1999 | Martial Law | Dr. Broderick | 1 episode |
| 1999 | Any Day Now | Helen | 1 episode |
| 2000 | Grapevine | Paulina | 1 episode |
| 2002 | Breathing Room | Host | |
| 2002 | The Santa Trap | Doris Spivak | |
| 2006 | Nip/Tuck | Interior Designer | 1 episode |
| 2008 | Psych | Susan B | 1 episode: "Black and Tan: A Crime of Fashion" |
| 2014–2016 | The Flash | Dr. Christina "Tina" McGee | 5 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Privateer 2: The Darkening | Assassin #3 |
References
[edit]- ^ Famous birthdays for June 6. UPI. Accessed 2023-01-01.
- ^ "Amanda Pays Biography (1959–)". Film Reference.
- ^
Buchanan, Jason, "Howard Pays", Movies & TV Dept., The New York Times
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Howard Pays". Variety. 21 May 2002. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ Maxford, H. (2019). Hammer Complete: The Films, the Personnel, the Company. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 559. ISBN 978-1-4766-2914-8. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Amanda Pays". BFI. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Amanda Pays - TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
- ^ "Amanda Pays". www.aveleyman.com.
- ^ "Home Made". C Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 February 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
- ^ "Minder on the Orient Express (1985) - Francis Megahy - Cast and Crew". AllMovie.
- ^ "Original Flash Actress Amanda Pays To Play Dr. Tina McGee Again In The CW's Flash". Comicbook.com.
- ^ "Amanda Pays - Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos". AllMovie.
- ^ "Psych TV Show - Watch Psych Online". USA Network. 13 May 2013.
- ^ "Fine Living TV". Archived from the original on 18 May 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Amanda Pays.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| People | |
| Other | |
Amanda Pays
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background
Amanda Pays was born on 6 June 1959 in London, England.[4] She is the daughter of Howard Pays, a talent agent and actor, and Jan Miller, an actress.[4] Her aunt, Mandy Miller, was a prominent child actress known for roles in films such as Mandy (1952) and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956).[4] Pays also has a sister, contributing to her upbringing in a family immersed in the entertainment industry.[14] This show business environment provided her with early exposure to acting from a young age, influencing her initial steps toward a career in performance.[4]Childhood and education
Amanda Pays was born on 6 June 1959 in London, England, the daughter of talent agent and actor Howard Pays and actress Jan Miller. Growing up in the London area within a family entrenched in the entertainment industry, she was surrounded by creative influences that shaped her early years. Her aunt, Mandy Miller, was a noted child actress, further embedding performance arts in her familial environment. At the age of eight, Pays began attending a nearby convent school, where she quickly displayed her nascent acting talents through participation in school productions. Her distinctive throaty voice frequently resulted in her being cast in male roles, which highlighted her versatility and ignited a personal interest in acting and performance.[4] After finishing her schooling around age 17, Pays transitioned into modeling, embarking on a four-year international career that exposed her to global fashion circles and honed her professional presence in creative fields. She later trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).[5]Acting career
Early roles
Amanda Pays began her acting career in the early 1980s, leveraging her family's show business connections to secure initial opportunities.[4] Her professional debut came in the 1984 HBO television film The Cold Room, where she portrayed the dual roles of Carla Martin and Christa Bruckner opposite George Segal in this psychological thriller based on a science fiction novel.[15] Later that year, Pays made her feature film debut as Lady Victoria Wingate in Oxford Blues, a comedy-drama directed by Robert Boris and starring Rob Lowe, in which she played a British aristocrat caught in a romantic entanglement with an American student.[16] Pays continued with supporting television roles in the mid-1980s, including Sarah in the biblical miniseries A.D. (1985), appearing in five episodes, and Tiffany Grace in an episode of the British crime series Dempsey and Makepeace (1985). These early projects often cast her in period or dramatic supporting parts, reflecting the challenges of establishing herself as a young British actress in both UK and international productions.[17] In 1986, Pays relocated to Los Angeles to further her acting ambitions, marking a pivotal shift toward American opportunities amid the competitive landscape of Hollywood.[18]Breakthrough and major television roles
Pays achieved her breakthrough role as Theora Jones in the 1985 British television film Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future, where she portrayed a skilled video controller aiding journalist Edison Carter in a dystopian media-controlled society. The production, directed by Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel for Channel 4, blended cyberpunk aesthetics with satire on television's influence, airing as a standalone pilot that garnered attention for its innovative visual style and prescient commentary on media manipulation.[19] Critics praised the film's bold narrative, with Pays' performance as Theora noted for its strength and competence in a male-dominated futuristic world.[20] This role led to Pays reprising Theora Jones in the American adaptation series Max Headroom, which aired on ABC from March 31, 1987, to May 5, 1988, spanning 14 episodes produced by Lorimar-Telepictures.[21] The series expanded the original film's universe, retaining Pays alongside Matt Frewer as Edison Carter/Max Headroom, while adding elements like corporate intrigue at Network 23; it was developed from the original by George Stone with directors Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel.[19][22] Critical reception highlighted the show's prophetic satire on technology and media, earning a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season, with Pays' portrayal of the resourceful Theora commended for adding depth to the ensemble.[23] However, the series faced challenges from network interference, including a shift to a talk-show format in its final episodes, contributing to its cancellation despite cult appeal.[24] Building on her Max Headroom success, Pays starred as Dr. Christina "Tina" McGee in the CBS superhero series The Flash from September 20, 1990, to May 8, 1991, appearing in all 22 episodes.[25] In the show, created by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo and based on the DC Comics character, Tina is a brilliant S.T.A.R. Labs physicist who develops the technology enabling Barry Allen (John Wesley Shipp) to become the Flash, evolving into his confidante and romantic partner.[2] Production emphasized practical effects and comic-book fidelity, with Pays' character designed for a professional yet supportive demeanor, as noted by costumer Bob Miller who opted for "unaggressive clothing" to reflect her scientific role. Reviews acknowledged the series' energetic action but critiqued its occasional lack of comic sensibility, while praising Pays' intelligent and engaging performance as Tina, which helped anchor the show's human elements amid its short run due to modest ratings.[26] During the late 1980s and 1990s, Pays made notable guest appearances that showcased her versatility beyond leads, including as Phoebe Green, an insurance investigator, in the 1993 The X-Files episode "Fire," where her character assists FBI agents Mulder and Scully in a supernatural arson case. These roles, alongside her sci-fi staples, cemented Pays' reputation in genre television, often typecasting her as tech-savvy women in futuristic or investigative settings and influencing her career trajectory toward similar projects in the era.[27]Later acting appearances
Following her breakthrough roles in the 1980s and 1990s, Amanda Pays transitioned to more sporadic acting work in the 2000s, focusing primarily on guest appearances in television series. In 2001, she appeared in the disaster film Ablaze, portraying Dr. Jennifer Lewis, the ex-girlfriend of a firefighter and a doctor at the hospital threatened by an oil refinery fire.[28] This role marked one of her few feature film credits in the early 2000s, emphasizing dramatic tension in a high-stakes emergency setting. The following year, Pays guest-starred as Doris Spivak in the family holiday movie The Santa Trap, a lighthearted production centered on a young boy's elaborate scheme to catch Santa Claus.[29] Pays continued with television guest spots that highlighted her versatility in supporting roles. She played an interior designer in the 2006 episode "Cindy Plumb" of Nip/Tuck, contributing to the show's exploration of cosmetic surgery and personal reinvention.[30] In 2008, she appeared as Susan B., Henry Spencer's date, in the Psych episode "Black and Tan: A Crime of Fashion," where her character aided in a fashion-themed murder investigation. These appearances showcased Pays' ability to blend into ensemble casts, often bringing poise and subtlety to brief but memorable parts. A significant highlight of Pays' later career was her reprise of the role of Dr. Tina McGee—originally played in the 1990 The Flash series—in The CW's 2014 reboot of The Flash. She appeared in five episodes across the first three seasons (2014–2016), reimagined as Dr. Christina "Tina" McGee, a brilliant scientist from Mercury Labs who assists Barry Allen with speedster technology and confronts ethical dilemmas in scientific advancement.[2] Notable episodes include Season 1's "The Man in the Yellow Suit" (2014), where McGee collaborates on trapping the Reverse-Flash, and Season 3's "Flashpoint" (2016), tying into timeline-altering plotlines. This return connected the modern series to its predecessor, earning praise for Pays' seamless portrayal of a character bridging decades of DC Comics adaptation history. By the 2010s, Pays' acting frequency notably decreased as she prioritized her family life with husband Corbin Bernsen and their four sons, alongside her growing focus on interior design. One of her final roles in 2020 was in the independent film Mary 4 Mayor as Olivia, supporting a satirical story of a small-town mayoral race, alongside her appearance as Claudia Brady in the romantic comedy Wake Up to Love.[31][32] This shift reflected a deliberate move away from on-screen work, with no major acting projects announced after 2020, allowing her to channel creative energies into home renovation and lifestyle endeavors.Interior design career
Transition from acting
Following the birth of their first son, Oliver, in 1989, and twin sons Henry and Angus in 1992, Pays made a deliberate choice to step back from full-time acting to focus on family responsibilities.[33][34] This decision was driven by her desire to be more present for her children during their formative years, allowing her to prioritize parenting amid the unpredictable schedules of television and film work.[18] As a result, her acting roles began to taper off in the mid-1990s, creating space for new interests outside the entertainment industry.[35] In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pays and Bernsen discovered a shared enthusiasm for interior design, sparked by collaborative discussions on home aesthetics and functionality.[36] This mutual passion emerged organically as they navigated family life, with Pays initially suggesting design changes to Bernsen's bachelor pad shortly after they met, which evolved into broader explorations of space and style.[37] Pays' initial forays into design began with personal home renovations in the early 2000s, where she experimented with repurposing materials and creating open, family-friendly layouts in their residences.[38] These projects not only strengthened her bond with Bernsen but also revealed her innate talent for the field, prompting a shift in focus toward a career in interior design by the mid-2000s, while continuing selective acting roles.[18][31]Notable projects and media involvement
Pays and her husband, actor Corbin Bernsen, have collaborated on numerous house flipping projects, renovating over 30 properties throughout their 37-year marriage.[12] Their renovations emphasize transforming older structures into modern, light-filled spaces using reclaimed materials and rustic elements, often stripping properties to their foundations for full rebuilds.[39] Notable examples include the Barnswood farmhouse in Germantown, New York, which they rebuilt and sold for $3.8 million on November 3, 2025, after an initial listing of $4.6 million in June 2025, featuring reclaimed wood accents and sustainable design features.[39][40][41] In Los Angeles, they updated a midcentury hillside home in the San Fernando Valley, listing it for $1.549 million after incorporating open floor plans and natural light enhancements.[42] Central to their work is a design philosophy centered on sustainable simple living, prioritizing reclaimed materials for rustic flair while promoting functional, eco-conscious spaces that blend historical charm with contemporary utility.[43] This approach is detailed in Pays' 2017 book, Open House: Reinventing Space for Simple Living, co-authored with Bernsen, which offers practical advice on budget-friendly renovations, envisioning open layouts in cluttered older homes, and achieving light-filled environments.[43] The couple's combined net worth of $12 million is partly attributed to the success of these flipping ventures.[1] Pays has gained media exposure through television, notably appearing on Magnolia Network's In With the Old in a 2025 episode focused on renovating a 1910 Hudson Valley farmhouse.[44] In the Season 7 installment "1910 Hamlet on the Hudson," aired April 26, 2025, she and Bernsen guide the transformation of the historic property, showcasing their expertise in reclaiming and revitalizing vintage homes for modern use.[45]Personal life
Marriage and family
Amanda Pays met actor Corbin Bernsen in late 1987 while they were housemates, and the couple married on November 19, 1988.[34][46] Their marriage has endured for 37 years as of 2025, with Bernsen crediting its success to a commitment to navigating challenges together, lessons he drew from his role on L.A. Law.[47] Pays and Bernsen have collaborated professionally on acting projects early in their relationship, including co-starring in the television film Dead on the Money (1990).[48] The couple has four sons: Oliver, born March 14, 1989; twins Henry and Angus, born March 19, 1992; and their youngest, Finley, born June 9, 1998.[46][49][50] As of 2022, all four sons had reached adulthood, with the eldest having married that summer.[47][51] Pays and Bernsen have maintained a private family life, sharing few details about their children beyond basic public records and occasionally discussing the joys of parenthood in interviews focused on their long-term partnership.[47]Lifestyle and residences
In 2019, Amanda Pays and her family relocated from Los Angeles to the Hudson Valley in Upstate New York, seeking a slower-paced, rural existence away from the intensity of Hollywood life.[12] This move marked a deliberate shift toward simplicity, allowing Pays to embrace a more grounded, earth-mother role in a family-oriented setting after decades of urban living.[31] Pays' lifestyle in the Hudson Valley emphasizes sustainable practices and mindful design, guided by her personal principles of recycling, restoring, and reusing materials to create harmonious living spaces.[18] She prioritizes frugal yet stylish renovations that incorporate reclaimed elements, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship and avoiding excess.[39] This approach extends to her daily life, where she fosters a serene, nature-connected routine focused on personal fulfillment rather than public attention.[52] As part of their family dynamic, Pays and her husband have raised four sons, transitioning from bustling city parenting to a quieter, supportive environment in New York that continues to nurture close-knit bonds.[12] Their shared interest in house flipping integrates into this lifestyle, with the couple revitalizing historic properties in the region to align with their values of simplicity and renewal, often living in each home briefly before moving on.[31]Filmography
Film credits
Amanda Pays began her film career with a supporting role in the 1984 romantic comedy Oxford Blues, marking her debut as Lady Victoria, a sophisticated British aristocrat opposite Rob Lowe. Over the course of her acting career, she appeared in approximately 14 films, including both feature films and television movies, often portraying strong-willed professional women in genres such as sci-fi, thriller, and drama.[13] While she received no major award nominations specifically for her film work, her roles contributed to her reputation in genre cinema during the 1980s and 1990s.[28] The following table lists her film credits chronologically, with brief descriptions for her most notable roles:| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Oxford Blues | Lady Victoria | Feature film debut; played a love interest in this Oxford University-set comedy-drama.[16] |
| 1985 | Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future | Theora Jones | Television movie; portrayed a journalist in this cyberpunk thriller that launched the Max Headroom franchise. |
| 1987 | The Kindred | Sharon | Supporting role in this sci-fi horror film about genetic experiments. |
| 1988 | Off Limits | Sister Nicole | Feature film; appeared as a French nun aiding U.S. soldiers in Vietnam War-era thriller. |
| 1989 | Leviathan | Elizabeth "Willie" Williams | Key supporting role as a marine biologist in this deep-sea sci-fi horror directed by George P. Cosmatos.[53] |
| 1991 | Exposure | Beth B. | Television movie; played a photographer entangled in a conspiracy thriller. |
| 1991 | Dead on the Money | Jennifer Ashford | Television movie; role in this mystery involving counterfeit money. |
| 1991 | The Flash II: Revenge of the Trickster | Dr. Tina McGee | Television movie; reprise of role from the CBS series.[54] |
| 1992 | Flash III: Deadly Nightshade | Dr. Tina McGee | Television movie; reprise of role from the CBS series.[55] |
| 1994 | I Know My Son Is Alive | Lauren Russell | Television movie; role as a mother searching for her missing son.[56] |
| 1995 | Solitaire for 2 | Katie Burrough | Feature film; romantic comedy about relationships and infidelity. |
| 1996 | Subterfuge | Alex | Thriller feature; undercover agent in a plot involving assassination. |
| 1997 | Spacejacked | Dawn | Action thriller; flight attendant dealing with a hijacking. |
| 2001 | Ablaze | Jennifer Lewis | Disaster film; firefighter's ex-girlfriend in a high-rise fire story. |