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Bridgette Wilson
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Bridgette LeAnn Wilson Sampras (born September 25, 1973)[2] is an American former actress, singer, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Teen USA 1990. She began her career in acting, playing the character of Lisa Fenimore on the soap opera Santa Barbara from April 1992 to January 1993.[2][3]
Key Information
She appeared in a number of films including Last Action Hero (1993) in her film debut, Higher Learning (1995), Mortal Kombat (1995), and Billy Madison (1995). She had roles in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), House on Haunted Hill (1999), The Wedding Planner (2001), and Shopgirl (2005).
Early life
[edit]Bridgette LeAnn Wilson[4] was born in Gold Beach, Oregon, a small coastal town north of Brookings, the daughter of Kathy and Dale Wilson.[5] She grew up there and was on the volleyball team for Gold Beach High School.[6] She won the Miss Teen USA title in 1990 at the age of 16 in Biloxi, Mississippi, and was the second winner from Oregon. She graduated from Gold Beach High School in 1991.[7]
Career
[edit]After her reign as Miss Teen USA, Wilson appeared in Santa Barbara, Ginger on Saved by the Bell, Last Action Hero (as Jack Slater's daughter Whitney), Higher Learning (a cameo as a university student), Billy Madison (playing Veronica Vaughn, the teacher and girlfriend of Adam Sandler's character), Mortal Kombat (playing Sonya Blade),[8] Nixon (a cameo as a nightclub performer), I Know What You Did Last Summer (as Helen Shivers' sister Elsa), House on Haunted Hill (as Melissa Marr), Buying the Cow, The Suburbans, Love Stinks, Nevada, Sweet Evil (as a psychopathic surrogate mother), Extreme Ops (as a world-champion skier), and The Wedding Planner. Wilson also appeared on an episode of CSI: Miami as a woman whose husband is killed by a package delivered to their house. Her last film role before retiring from acting was in Phantom Punch (2008).
Wilson starred off-Broadway in The Rocky Horror Show and was a judge for the 2006 Miss Universe competition. She is also a singer and was featured on Tommy Shane Steiner's debut album Then Came the Night, performing a spoken-word part in "What We're Gonna Do About It". The song reached number 43 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in 2002.
Personal life
[edit]Wilson married professional tennis player Pete Sampras on September 30, 2000 after they dated for nine months.[9][10] On November 21, 2002, their first son was born.[11] On July 29, 2005, the couple had their second son.[12] The family lives in Lake Sherwood, California west of Westlake Village.[13] In December 2022, Wilson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.[14][15]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Last Action Hero | Whitney Slater/Meredith Caprice | |
| 1995 | Higher Learning | Nicole | |
| Billy Madison | Veronica Vaughn | ||
| Mortal Kombat | Sonya Blade | ||
| Nixon | Sandy | ||
| 1996 | Final Vendetta | Jennifer Clark | Also known as Sweet Evil. |
| Unhook the Stars | Jeannie Hawks | ||
| 1997 | Nevada | June | |
| The Stepsister | Melinda Harrison | TV film | |
| The Real Blonde | Sahara | ||
| I Know What You Did Last Summer | Elsa Shivers | ||
| Marina | Short film | ||
| 1998 | Host | Juliet Spring | TV film |
| Starstruck | Sandra | ||
| 1999 | The Suburbans | Lara | |
| Love Stinks | Chelsea Turner | ||
| House on Haunted Hill | Melissa Margaret Marr | ||
| 2000 | Beautiful | Lorna Larkin, Miss Texas | |
| 2001 | The Wedding Planner | Fran Donolly | |
| Just Visiting | Amber | ||
| 2002 | Buying the Cow | Sarah | |
| Extreme Ops | Chloe | ||
| 2005 | Shopgirl | Lisa Cramer | |
| 2008 | Phantom Punch | Farah |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Saved by the Bell | Ginger | 5 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | Santa Barbara | Lisa Fenimore | 20 episodes |
| 1993 | Murder, She Wrote | Emily Griffith | Episode: "A Killing in Cork" |
| 2000–2001 | The $treet | Bridget Deshiel | 11 episodes |
| 2002 | Frasier | Kris | Episode: "Three Blind Dates" |
| 2003 | CSI: Miami | Gabriela Betancourt | Episode: "Dead Zone" |
| 2004 | Beyond the Glory | Herself | Episode: "Pete Sampras" |
| 2005 | Jake in Progress | Chloe | Episode: "Ubusy?" |
| 2008 | Carpoolers | Dorrit | Episode: "The Seminar" |
| Signature Series | Herself | Episode: "Pete Sampras" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mortal Kombat 11 | Sonya Blade (Klassic MK Movie Skin Pack) | Voice-over and likeness based on her role in the 1995 live action film[16] |
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| I Only Wanna Be with You |
|
| Gimme a Kiss |
|
Guest singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Artist | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | ||||
| 2002 | "What We're Gonna Do About It" | Tommy Shane Steiner | 43 | Then Came the Night |
References
[edit]- ^ "Teen chosen at pageant". The Oregonian. November 27, 1989. p. C3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Bridgette Wilson Biography". Oregon Herald. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ^ "Lisa Fenimore". Santabarbara-online.com (in French). Retrieved January 7, 2017.
- ^ "Gold Beach girl wins Miss Teen USA". The Oregonian. July 18, 1990. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bridgette Wilson-Sampras Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011.
- ^ Sarah Sloboda (2015). "Bridgette Wilson Sampras". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ^ "High School Alumni in Gold Beach, Oregon". Class Finders. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
- ^ "Mortal Kombat Comes to the Big Screen". Black Belt (October ed.). 1995. p. 67.
- ^ "Why Hollywood Won't Cast Bridgette Wilson-Sampras". June 3, 2020.
- ^ "Actress Brigette is Sampras love match". CNN. Associated Press. October 2, 2000. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
{{cite news}}:|archive-url=is malformed: timestamp (help) - ^ "Sampras Adds New Title: Father". The New York Times. November 26, 2002. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
- ^ "Review 2005: Celebrity births, marriages and deaths". Manchester Evening News. December 12, 2005. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 20, 2007.
- ^ "Pete Sampras' House in Lake Sherwood". Home-designing.com. March 21, 2010. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
- ^ "Pete Sampras Reveals Wife Bridgette's Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis: 'Humbly Asking for Good Thoughts and Prayers'". People.com.
- ^ "'The Wedding Planner' Alum Bridgette Wilson Diagnosed With Ovarian Cancer, Husband Pete Sampras Reveals". Deadline. October 30, 2023.
- ^ @MortalKombat (November 23, 2020). "MKUltimate" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
Bridgette Wilson
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Family background
Bridgette Leann Wilson was born on September 25, 1973, in Gold Beach, Oregon, a small coastal town with a population under 2,000.[10][3] She is the daughter of Kathy Wilson and Dale Wilson.[10] Wilson grew up alongside her sister, Tracy Wilson, who also pursued acting and provided ongoing familial support during her early career transitions.[10][3] Raised in a close-knit family environment in Gold Beach, Wilson experienced a supportive upbringing that emphasized emotional backing from her parents and sister.[3] Her family resided in the tight-knit community, fostering a sense of stability amid the town's rural coastal setting.[3] This familial closeness extended to daily interactions, including encouragement from her grandparents, which helped build her confidence during formative years.[3] Wilson's early exposure to performing arts stemmed from family encouragement, particularly from her mother, who supported her interests in singing and stage activities from a young age.[3] At around age 12, she actively chose to participate in a local musical production over other opportunities, marking an initial step into performance with her family's endorsement.[3] These home influences laid the groundwork for her outgoing personality and later pursuits in the entertainment field.[3]Schooling and early interests
Bridgette Wilson attended local schools in her hometown of Gold Beach, Oregon, a small coastal community, where she grew up in a supportive family environment that encouraged her ambitions.[3] She completed her secondary education at Gold Beach High School, graduating early in 1991 by accelerating her senior-year credits.[11][12][3] During her teenage years, Wilson was an athletic tomboy with a strong interest in sports, particularly basketball and volleyball, on which she played for her high school teams as a standout player standing at five feet nine inches tall.[13][1] These activities highlighted her physical prowess and competitive spirit before her entry into public life. Following high school graduation in 1991, Wilson did not pursue higher education, instead moving to Los Angeles at age 17 to pursue an acting career.[11][3]Beauty pageants and modeling
Miss Teen USA 1990
At the age of 16, Bridgette Wilson represented Oregon at the Miss Teen USA 1990 pageant, which took place on July 16 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi.[14][1] She had qualified for the national competition by winning the Miss Oregon Teen USA title earlier that year, marking her entry into competitive pageantry.[3] Wilson's preparation emphasized key pageant elements, including interview skills and the evening gown competition, which she honed during the state-level event before advancing to nationals.[3] On the night of the finals, she competed against 50 other delegates and was crowned the eighth Miss Teen USA by outgoing titleholder Brandi Sherwood of Idaho, becoming the second winner from Oregon. The victory propelled Wilson's public persona, providing her with nationwide visibility as a teenager and opening doors to entertainment opportunities.[5] Following the win, she spent a year traveling across the United States as a spokesperson for various organizations, an experience that enhanced her comfort in interviews and public appearances.[3] This period also garnered initial media attention, including features that highlighted her poised demeanor and interests in family and music, setting the stage for her future career pursuits.[1]Modeling career
Following her win as Miss Teen USA in 1990, Bridgette Wilson transitioned into professional modeling, capitalizing on the pageant's exposure to secure opportunities in print media targeted at teenage audiences.[1] She appeared on the cover of Seventeen magazine's July 1990 issue, marking an early highlight of her work in fashion publications.[15] This feature, alongside other print appearances in the early 1990s, showcased her as an emerging face in commercial modeling based in New York and Los Angeles.[5] Wilson's modeling efforts were primarily concentrated from 1990 to 1993, after which she shifted focus toward acting pursuits.[5]Entertainment career
Acting roles
Bridgette Wilson began her acting career with small television roles in the early 1990s, debuting as Lisa Fenimore on the soap opera Santa Barbara from 1992 to 1993 and as Ginger on the sitcom Saved by the Bell (5 episodes, 1992).[16][2] Her film debut came in 1993 with the role of Meredith, Arnold Schwarzenegger's daughter, in The Last Action Hero, which marked her breakthrough into feature films and showcased her ability to handle high-profile action-comedy projects.[5] This early success was bolstered by her modeling background, which helped secure auditions in Hollywood.[10] Throughout the 1990s, Wilson established herself in both comedic and action genres with several notable roles. In 1995, she portrayed Veronica Vaughn, the love interest in Adam Sandler's Billy Madison, a cult comedy that highlighted her charm and timing in humorous scenarios.[5] That same year, she took on the physically demanding role of Sonya Blade in the video game adaptation Mortal Kombat, earning praise for her athletic performance in the action sequences, and appeared as a student in the ensemble drama Higher Learning.[10] Other significant 1990s appearances included Elsa Shivers in the slasher hit I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), Sarah in the horror thriller House on Haunted Hill (1999), and a supporting part in Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995), demonstrating her versatility across genres.[17][18] Entering the 2000s, Wilson's roles shifted toward romantic comedies and supporting parts in mainstream films. She played Fran Donolly in The Wedding Planner (2001) opposite Jennifer Lopez, contributing to the film's box office success with her comedic supporting presence.[10][19] Later credits included roles in Beautiful (2000), Extreme Ops (2002), Shopgirl (2005), and Farah in Phantom Punch (2008), her final film appearance.[2] Over her career, she amassed more than 20 film and television credits, often noted for her engaging performances in comedy and action but receiving limited critical acclaim or awards recognition, with films like Billy Madison (16% on Rotten Tomatoes) and Mortal Kombat (60%) reflecting mixed reviews focused more on entertainment value than depth.[5] Wilson retired from acting around 2008 to prioritize her family life following her marriage to Pete Sampras, effectively stepping away from the industry after Phantom Punch that year.[20]Music endeavors
In the mid-1990s, following her rise to prominence as an actress and former beauty queen, Bridgette Wilson signed a recording contract with King Records in Japan, marking the start of her brief foray into music as a pop singer. Her debut album, I Only Want to Be with You, was released in 1994 and featured covers of classic tracks alongside original material, showcasing a light pop style with influences from 1960s girl-group sounds. The album included the title track, a rendition of the Dusty Springfield hit, and received limited distribution outside Japan.[21][22] Wilson followed this with her second and final album, Gimme a Kiss, in 1996, also exclusive to the Japanese market and produced by Keith Olsen. This release leaned into upbeat pop with R&B-tinged vocals, highlighted by the title track co-written by Jamey Jaz and Ren Toppano, and covers like "I Was Made for Dancin'" originally by Leif Garrett. Promotional efforts were tied to her acting visibility, which helped garner modest attention in Asia, though neither album achieved significant commercial success internationally.[23][24][25] Her music career remained short-lived, spanning primarily the mid-1990s with no subsequent solo releases after 1996. In 2002, Wilson made a brief return to recording by providing backup vocals and a spoken-word segment on country artist Tommy Shane Steiner's debut album Then Came the Night, specifically on the track "What We're Gonna Do About It." This collaboration represented her last notable musical contribution, underscoring a venture that complemented rather than overshadowed her primary acting pursuits.[26]Personal life
Marriage to Pete Sampras
Bridgette Wilson met tennis star Pete Sampras in 1999 through his friend John Black, the public relations executive for the Los Angeles Lakers. While recovering from a back injury, Sampras watched the comedy film Love Stinks, in which Wilson starred, and was immediately captivated by her, leading him to ask Black to facilitate an introduction. Their initial encounter proved awkward, with Sampras later describing it as tongue-tied and comically strained, marked by minimal eye contact; however, they began dating shortly thereafter.[27][1] The pair became engaged later that year, following a brief but intense courtship. On September 30, 2000, Wilson and Sampras exchanged vows in an intimate backyard ceremony at his Beverly Hills home, attended by about 80 close family members and friends. The event emphasized simplicity and privacy, aligning with their preference for understated celebrations away from excessive publicity.[28][1][27] Early in their marriage, the couple frequently appeared together at public events, particularly Los Angeles Lakers games, reflecting their shared enthusiasm for basketball. Wilson balanced her ongoing acting commitments with support for Sampras's demanding tennis schedule, accompanying him to tournaments and maintaining a harmonious integration of their careers.[29][1] By the mid-2000s, Wilson and Sampras opted for greater seclusion, deliberately stepping back from media attention to prioritize their relationship outside the public eye. This deliberate shift has characterized their long-term union, fostering a stable and low-key partnership.[20][30]Children and family life
Bridgette Wilson and Pete Sampras welcomed their first child, son Christian Charles Sampras, on November 21, 2002.[31] Their second son, Ryan Nikolaos Sampras, was born on July 29, 2005.[32] Their marriage provided the foundation for building this family, with Wilson largely stepping away from her acting career to focus on motherhood.[1] The family relocated to the Los Angeles area, settling in the gated community of Lake Sherwood, California, to create a stable environment for raising their children.[33] Wilson and Sampras have emphasized a private, low-profile upbringing for Christian and Ryan, shielding them from public scrutiny while fostering a close-knit household centered on family bonding and everyday activities.[34] In balancing family responsibilities, Wilson has occasionally joined Sampras at tennis-related events, offering public support for his enduring legacy in the sport, such as attending matches and exhibitions together.[35] This selective involvement allows her to maintain a supportive role without compromising the family's emphasis on privacy.[30]Health challenges
In December 2022, Bridgette Wilson-Sampras was diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer.[36][37] Following her diagnosis, she underwent major surgery followed by chemotherapy.[36] As of July 2025, she continues to battle the disease privately.[9] Wilson-Sampras has waged a private battle against the disease, bolstered by strong family support, and has avoided public appearances tied to her health since the diagnosis.[9] This ordeal has deepened her commitment to a low-profile existence, centering her energies on recovery and family priorities.[9] Her enduring marriage to Pete Sampras has offered crucial emotional backing throughout the treatment process.[36]Works
Filmography
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras's acting credits span film and television from 1991 to 2008, after which she retired from acting.[2][5][6]| Year | Title | Role | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–1993 | Santa Barbara | Lisa Fenimore Castillo | TV series (20 episodes) |
| 1992 | Saved by the Bell | Ginger | TV series (5 episodes) |
| 1993 | Last Action Hero | Whitney / Meredith | Film |
| 1995 | Higher Learning | Nicole | Film |
| 1995 | Billy Madison | Veronica Vaughn | Film |
| 1995 | Mortal Kombat | Sonya Blade | Film |
| 1995 | Nixon | Sandy | Film |
| 1996 | Unhook the Stars | Jeannie | Film |
| 1996 | Sweet Evil | Jennifer Ray Clark | Film |
| 1997 | The Stepsister | Melinda Harrison | TV movie |
| 1997 | I Know What You Did Last Summer | Elsa Shivers | Film |
| 1997 | Nevada | June | Film |
| 1997 | The Real Blonde | Sahara | Film |
| 1998 | Starstruck | Sandra | Film |
| 1998 | Virtual Obsession | Juliet Spring | TV movie |
| 1999 | House on Haunted Hill | Melissa Margaret Marr | Film |
| 1999 | Love Stinks | Chelsea Turner | Film |
| 1999 | The Suburbans | Lara | Film |
| 2000 | Beautiful | Lorna Larkin / Miss Texas | Film |
| 2000 | The $treet | Chris | TV series (1 episode) |
| 2001 | Buying the Cow | Sarah | Film |
| 2001 | Just Visiting | Amber | Film |
| 2001 | The Wedding Planner | Fran Donolly | Film |
| 2002 | Extreme Ops | Chloe | Film |
| 2002 | Frasier | Kris | TV series (1 episode) |
| 2003 | CSI: Miami | Gabriela Betancourt | TV series (1 episode) |
| 2003 | Stuey | Lisa | Film |
| 2005 | Shopgirl | Lisa Cramer | Film |
| 2005 | Jake in Progress | Chloe | TV series (1 episode) |
| 2008 | Carpoolers | Dorrit | TV series (1 episode) |
| 2008 | Phantom Punch | Farah | Film |
Discography
Bridgette Wilson's recorded music output is limited to two studio albums released exclusively in Japan during the 1990s, both issued by King Records, and a guest feature on a country single in 2002.[40][41] Her albums primarily feature pop covers and original material, reflecting her early singing endeavors alongside her acting career. She also released two promotional singles in Japan.Studio albums
I Only Wanna Be with You (1994)This debut album, a collection of pop covers, was released on March 24, 1994, in Japan. It includes eight tracks, many of which are renditions of classic hits. The title track is a cover of Dusty Springfield's 1964 song. No international release or chart performance was recorded for this album.[42][43]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Only Want to Be with You | Mike Hawker, Ivor Raymonde | 2:42 |
| 2 | Romeo and Juliet | Joey Carbone, Jeff Carruthers | 3:48 |
| 3 | Da Doo Ron Ron | Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector | 2:20 |
| 4 | Until We Meet Again | Unknown | 4:10 |
| 5 | Together | Unknown | 3:15 |
| 6 | Love Me Tender | Elvis Presley, Vera Matson | 3:25 |
| 7 | Gimme Some Lovin' | Spencer Davis, Steve Winwood, Muff Winwood | 2:55 |
| 8 | I Only Wanna Be with You (Reprise) | Mike Hawker, Ivor Raymonde | 2:30 |
Wilson's second and final studio album, released in 1996 in Japan, blends pop and soft rock elements with a mix of originals and covers, produced by Keith Olsen. It features ten tracks and was promoted with a tour in Japan. Like her debut, it did not chart internationally and had no further releases.[23][24][25]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gimme a Kiss | Jamey Jaz, Ren Toppano | 3:45 |
| 2 | Tell Him | Bert Russell, Brenda Russell | 3:20 |
| 3 | A Little Bit of Love | Unknown | 3:50 |
| 4 | I Knew You When | Unknown | 4:05 |
| 5 | Talkin' in Your Sleep | Unknown | 3:30 |
| 6 | Play It for Me One More Time | Unknown | 4:10 |
| 7 | I Was Made for Dancin' | Michael Lloyd, Al Stillman | 3:40 |
| 8 | The Boy from New York City | Unknown | 3:15 |
| 9 | Heaven in Your Eyes | Unknown | 4:00 |
| 10 | Summer Rain | Unknown | 3:55 |
Singles
Japan promotional singles- "Da Doo Ron Ron" (1994) – CD single, Japan-only release from debut album.[45]
- "I Was Made For Dancin'" (1994) – CD single, Japan-only release.[46]
- "What We're Gonna Do About It" (2002) – with Tommy Shane Steiner, from the album Then Came the Night (RCA Nashville). Wilson provided spoken-word vocals. The single peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. No certifications were awarded.[47]