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Heather Rattray
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Heather Rattray is an American actress who has starred in several movies and soap operas.
She has appeared in several family features co-starring with Robert Logan, including Across the Great Divide,[1] Mountain Family Robinson,[2] Suburb in the Wild,[3] and The Sea Gypsies. Rattray briefly appeared in the recurring role of Wendy on Guiding Light in 1988 before assuming the role of Lily Walsh on As the World Turns. She played Lily from 1989 to 1993.
Filmography
[edit]- The Theory of the Leisure Class (2001)
- Alright Already (1997) TV Series (Episode: "Again with the Sponge Cake")
- The Home Court (1996) TV Series (Episode: "Between a Shamrock and a Hard Place")
- As the World Turns (1989–1993) TV Series
- Basket Case 2 (1990)
- Guiding Light (1988) TV Series
- Mountain Family Robinson (1979)
- The Sea Gypsies (1978)
- The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1978)
- Across the Great Divide (1976)
References
[edit]- ^ "Screen: 'Across the Great Divide': Charming Tale of the West Will Delight Youngsters". The New York Times. December 21, 1976. p. 44. ProQuest 122789810. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Screen: A New Family Robinson: Folks in the Hills". The New York Times. January 16, 1981. p. C 10. ProQuest 121531365. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Film: More Wilderness Family Fun: Suburb in the Wild". The New York Times. December 26, 1978. p. C 20. ProQuest 123542249. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
External links
[edit]Heather Rattray
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Early Life
Birth and Upbringing
Heather Rattray was born on April 25, 1965, in Moline, Illinois.[2] Rattray spent her formative years on a 400-acre family farm in Minnesota, immersing her in a rural environment that emphasized agricultural life and outdoor activities. This setting provided a grounded, nature-oriented childhood away from urban influences.[2] At the age of 11 in 1976, Rattray's path toward entertainment began when she was discovered by a film producer during a chance encounter; the producer noted her resemblance to a young Grace Kelly, igniting her initial foray into the industry.[2]Family Background
Heather Rattray was born to parents whose surnames reflect a blend of Scottish heritage, with her surname derived from Rattray and her mother's maiden name being Macintosh.[3] While specific details about her parents' identities and occupations remain private, the family's Midwestern roots shaped her early environment.[2] She is the younger sister of actor Laird Macintosh, who adopted their mother's maiden name for his professional career, highlighting a familial tie to the entertainment industry. This shared connection to acting underscores key influences within the Rattray-Macintosh family, where multiple members pursued careers in performance.[4] The family relocated from Moline, Illinois—where Heather was born—to a 400-acre farm in Minnesota during her early childhood, transitioning from an urban-industrial setting to rural farm life.[2] This move provided a foundational experience in nature and self-sufficiency, potentially fostering interests that aligned with her later roles in family-oriented wilderness films.[2]Acting Career
Early Roles
Heather Rattray entered the entertainment industry at the age of 11 when she was discovered by a film producer who noted her resemblance to a young Grace Kelly.[2] This discovery, occurring around 1976 while she was living on a family farm in Minnesota, quickly propelled her into professional acting opportunities in Hollywood.[3] Her film debut came shortly thereafter in the family adventure Across the Great Divide (1976), where she portrayed the role of Holly Smith, an orphan traveling across the American frontier alongside co-star Robert Logan.[5] The film, directed by Stewart Raffill, marked Rattray's introduction to feature-length cinema and established her in the genre of wholesome, outdoor-themed productions targeted at young audiences.[6] Rattray's breakthrough arrived with her role as Jenny Robinson in The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1978), a sequel in the popular Wilderness Family series that emphasized self-sufficient living in the wilderness. She reprised the character in the third installment, Mountain Family Robinson (1979), solidifying her presence in the franchise.[7] These roles highlighted her as a capable child performer in ensemble casts focused on family dynamics and natural challenges. As she transitioned into her early teens, Rattray continued securing parts in similar adventure films, including The Sea Gypsies (1978), where she played Courtney MacLaine, a girl surviving a shipwreck in Alaska.[8] No formal acting training is documented from this period, and her early representation appears to have been managed through standard industry agents following her initial discovery, though specific agency details remain unverified in available records.[9]Film Appearances
Heather Rattray's film career began in the mid-1970s with a series of family-oriented adventure films, where she frequently collaborated with actor Robert Logan and director Stewart Raffill, establishing her as a prominent child performer in the genre.[10] Her debut feature role came in Across the Great Divide (1976), directed by Raffill, in which she portrayed the determined orphan Holly Smith, a street-smart girl who teams up with a drifter (Logan) and her younger brother to cross the Rocky Mountains in search of family during the Oregon Trail era.[5] The production, filmed on location in Utah and Canada, emphasized rugged Western landscapes and themes of resilience and self-reliance, with Rattray's performance noted for its natural authenticity and appeal to young audiences.[10] Critics praised her as an "attractive" and believable young lead, contributing to the film's status as a charming, if formulaic, family classic.[11] Rattray continued in similar survival-themed adventures, including The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1978), where she reprised her role as Jenny Robinson in the popular Wilderness Family series produced by Sunn Classics Pictures.[12] In this sequel, directed by Frank Zuniga, the Robinson family faces harsh Rocky Mountain winters after relocating from urban life, highlighting ecological harmony and familial bonds amid wildlife encounters.[13] That same year, she appeared in The Sea Gypsies (1978), another Raffill-directed effort co-starring Logan as her father, Travis Maclaine; Rattray played his daughter Courtney Maclaine, a resourceful teen shipwrecked off Alaska with her family and a stowaway, forced to adapt to island survival against natural perils like storms and wildlife.[8] The film, shot on location in Alaska, underscored themes of perseverance and makeshift community, earning acclaim as an "agreeable children's film" with engaging adventure elements.[14] Her collaboration with Logan extended to Mountain Family Robinson (1979), the third installment in the Wilderness Family saga, directed by Jack Couffer, where Rattray again embodied Jenny Robinson as the family resists government encroachment on their mountain homestead, blending environmental advocacy with dramatic confrontations.[7] Filmed in Colorado's Rockies, the production celebrated nature's beauty while portraying the Robinsons' unity against modernization pressures.[15] Rattray's portrayals in these Logan-Raffill projects, spanning 1976 to 1979, were lauded for their sincerity and ability to convey youthful tenacity, solidifying her reputation in low-budget, wholesome cinema aimed at families, though the films themselves received mixed reviews for predictable plots despite strong visual appeal.[16] No major awards or nominations were associated with her child performances, but they contributed to the enduring popularity of these adventure series among audiences seeking uplifting, nature-centric stories.[17] By the 1990s, Rattray transitioned to more unconventional genres, marking a departure from her early family fare. In Basket Case 2 (1990), directed by Frank Henenlotter, she took on the role of Susan, a social worker entangled in a bizarre community of freaks harboring the conjoined twins Duane and Belial, shifting her screen presence to horror-comedy with elements of dark satire and grotesque effects.[18] The film, a sequel to the 1982 cult hit, was produced on a modest budget in New York and critiqued societal norms through its eccentric ensemble, with Rattray's character providing a grounded, empathetic foil to the chaos.[19] This role highlighted her versatility, though it contrasted sharply with the innocent adventures of her youth, reflecting a broader career arc from child stardom in inspirational tales to adult parts in edgier, genre-bending narratives.[20] Rattray's final film roles came in 2001 with appearances in the independent drama MacArthur Park as Anne and the satirical comedy The Theory of the Leisure Class as Attorney.[1] These marked the conclusion of her on-screen film work to date.Television Roles
Heather Rattray began her notable television career in the late 1980s with recurring roles in daytime soap operas. Her first significant TV appearance was in the CBS series Guiding Light, where she portrayed the character Wendy in 1988. This role marked her entry into serialized drama, appearing in multiple episodes as part of the show's ongoing storylines.[1] Rattray's most prominent soap opera stint came on As the World Turns, where she assumed the role of Lily Walsh from December 1989 to January 1993. As the strong-willed heiress Lily Snyder (née Walsh), she navigated complex family dynamics and romantic entanglements central to the series' Oakdale narrative. Her portrayal contributed to key arcs, including the character's marriage to Holden Snyder in 1991.[21][22] Transitioning to primetime, Rattray made guest appearances in various series during the 1990s. In 1992, she appeared in Love & War as Margo in a single episode, bringing her dramatic presence to the sitcom's ensemble.[23] She followed this with an uncredited role as an Operations Officer in Star Trek: Voyager, appearing in 12 episodes across seasons 1 through 5 (1995–1999), often in background scenes on the USS Voyager bridge. Specific episodes include "Jetrel" (1995), "The 37's" (1995), "False Profits" (1996), and "The Gift" (1997).[3] Later guest spots included a one-episode role as Woman #1 in The Home Court (1996, episode: "Between a Shamrock and a Hard Place"), where she supported the lead in a family court comedy.[1] In 1997, she played Ms. Morse (uncredited) in The Practice (1 episode) and Woman in Alright Already (episode: "Again with the Sponge Cake"). Additionally, she appeared in two episodes of The Nanny as an Auditioning Actress and Reunion Attendee. These roles showcased her versatility in both comedic and procedural formats.[23][1]| Year(s) | Series | Role | Episodes/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Guiding Light | Wendy | Recurring; multiple episodes |
| 1989–1993 | As the World Turns | Lily Walsh | Recurring; main tenure December 1989–January 1993; 70 episodes credited (1990–1998) |
| 1992 | Love & War | Margo | 1 episode |
| 1995–1999 | Star Trek: Voyager | Operations Officer | 12 episodes (uncredited) |
| 1996 | The Home Court | Woman #1 | 1 episode |
| 1997 | The Practice | Ms. Morse | 1 episode (uncredited) |
| 1997 | Alright Already | Woman | 1 episode |
| 1997–1998 | The Nanny | Auditioning Actress / Reunion Attendee | 2 episodes |
Personal Life
Siblings and Family Ties
Heather Rattray maintains a close familial bond with her older brother, Laird Macintosh, who is also an actor in the entertainment industry. Her brother adopted their mother's maiden name, Macintosh, for his professional career, reflecting a shared family heritage that influenced their entry into acting.[24][2] Their relationship extended into early professional collaborations during Rattray's formative years in film. In 1978, Rattray starred as an actress in The Sea Gypsies, while Macintosh served as the boom operator on the production, providing behind-the-scenes support. The following year, they worked together again on Mountain Family Robinson, where Rattray appeared on screen and Macintosh contributed as property master, demonstrating mutual involvement in family-oriented adventure films that aligned with their shared interests in the craft.[24] These early projects highlight how family dynamics encouraged Rattray's pursuit of acting, with Macintosh's technical roles offering direct encouragement and practical assistance in her burgeoning career. As of recent years, the siblings continue to be recognized for their parallel paths in Hollywood, though no new joint endeavors have been publicly noted beyond these foundational experiences.[25]Private Life
Following the peak of her acting career in the 1990s, Heather Rattray has maintained a notably low public profile, with scant details emerging about her personal affairs in subsequent decades.[1] There are no publicly available records indicating any marriages, children, or romantic relationships in her life.[26] Information regarding her residences, hobbies, or non-acting pursuits from the 2000s through 2025 remains undocumented in credible sources, suggesting a deliberate emphasis on privacy. No interviews or statements have revealed involvement in philanthropy or other personal interests.[2]Filmography
Film Roles
Heather Rattray's film roles span family adventure films in the late 1970s and a horror comedy in the early 1990s. The following is a chronological list of her credited feature film appearances:| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Across the Great Divide | Holly Smith | Stewart Raffill [5] |
| 1978 | The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family | Jenny Robinson | Frank Zuniga [13] |
| 1978 | The Sea Gypsies | Courtney MacLaine | Stewart Raffill [8] |
| 1979 | Mountain Family Robinson | Jenny Robinson | Jack Couffer [7] |
| 1990 | Basket Case 2 | Susan | Frank Henenlotter [18] |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor | Club Waitress | Tom Shadyac [27] |
| 1998 | Deep Impact | White House Press Conference Reporter | Mimi Leder [28] |
| 2001 | The Theory of the Leisure Class | Attorney | Gabriel Bologna [29] |
Television Roles
Heather Rattray began her notable television career in the late 1980s with recurring roles in daytime soap operas. Her first significant TV appearance was in the CBS series Guiding Light, where she portrayed the character Wendy in 1988. This role marked her entry into serialized drama, appearing in multiple episodes as part of the show's ongoing storylines.[1] Rattray's most prominent soap opera stint came on As the World Turns, where she assumed the role of Lily Walsh from December 1989 to January 1993. As the strong-willed heiress Lily Snyder (née Walsh), she navigated complex family dynamics and romantic entanglements central to the series' Oakdale narrative. Her portrayal contributed to key arcs, including the character's marriage to Holden Snyder in 1991.[21][22] Transitioning to primetime, Rattray made guest appearances in various series during the 1990s. In 1992, she appeared in Love & War as Margo in a single episode, bringing her dramatic presence to the sitcom's ensemble.[23] She followed this with an uncredited role as an Operations Officer in Star Trek: Voyager, appearing in 12 episodes across seasons 1 through 5 (1995–1999), often in background scenes on the USS Voyager bridge. Specific episodes include "Jetrel" (1995), "The 37's" (1995), "False Profits" (1996), and "The Gift" (1997).[3] Later guest spots included a one-episode role as Woman #1 in The Home Court (1996, episode: "Between a Shamrock and a Hard Place"), where she supported the lead in a family court comedy.[1] In 1997, she played Ms. Morse (uncredited) in The Practice (1 episode) and Woman in Alright Already (episode: "Again with the Sponge Cake"). Additionally, she appeared in two episodes of The Nanny as an Auditioning Actress and Reunion Attendee. These roles showcased her versatility in both comedic and procedural formats.[23][1]| Year(s) | Series | Role | Episodes/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Guiding Light | Wendy | Recurring; multiple episodes |
| 1989–1993 | As the World Turns | Lily Walsh | Recurring role |
| 1992 | Love & War | Margo | 1 episode |
| 1995–1999 | Star Trek: Voyager | Operations Officer | 12 episodes (uncredited) |
| 1996 | The Home Court | Woman #1 | 1 episode |
| 1997 | The Practice | Ms. Morse | 1 episode (uncredited) |
| 1997 | Alright Already | Woman | 1 episode |
| 1997–1998 | The Nanny | Auditioning Actress / Reunion Attendee | 2 episodes |