A Celebration Of Kelli Maroney!
One reason I post my “2021 Sex Kitten Countdown” stories is to celebrate Cult Movie Queens who may not have gotten the recognition they deserve.
I will routinely find a classic cult film and wonder about the stars in them, usually in supporting roles.
That was the case with Kelli Maroney, who began her career acting at the Guthrie Theater in her native Minneapolis, MN.
Following that, she headed to New York to study at the National Shakespeare Company Conservatory.
Two weeks after she arrived in Manhattan in 1975, Kelli was cast as evil adolescent “Kimberly Harris” on the daytime soap opera, “Ryan’s Hope.”
She made her film debut as the ‘Spirit Bunny’ “Cindy Carr” in the teen comedy classic, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” in 1982.
The next year she appeared in this horror gem:
“Slayground”
However, the Actress was soon to achieve cult cinema immortality.
Kelli achieved her greatest enduring cult popularity as “Samantha” in the 1984 science-fiction film “Night of the Comet.”
This is one of the most entertaining 80’s cult films out there and easy to find to enjoy.
Check out the trailer:
Next up for Kelli was another cult gem!
She starred as the sweet, killer-robot slayer, “Alison Parks”, in the classic 1986 sci-fi thriller:
“Chopping Mall!”
Of course, that classic gem starred Barbara Crampton, one of the great Cult Movie Queens of that era.
You can see more of Barbara’s career – and see the trailer for “Chopping Mall” by clicking on my story here:
Maroney was appearing in a number of great 80’s cult films – a mix of sci-fi, comedy and vintage exploitation cinema like this:
“Big Bad Mama II”
This great 1987 sequel is a fast paced action gem.
Check out the trailer:
Maroney was on a roll…also appearing with this young Actress:
“Not Of This Earth!”
Jim Wynorski directed this 1988 cult film starring Traci Lords.
Check out the trailer:
An alien arrives on Earth looking to take human blood in an attempt to preserve his dying planet.
A great cast perhaps overshadowed by the notoriety of the star…
Lords was most well known at the time for the shocking discovery that she appeared in adult films as an underaged teen!
This GREAT podcast tells her entire story and it’s a fascinating, disturbing one…you can see more about it, and see more of Traci’s career, by clicking on my story here:
Kelli reteamed with Director Wynorski in 1990 for this cult gem:
“Hard To Die“
This was also known as “Slumber Party Massacre III: Hard To Die”.
“Scream Queen Hot Tub Party!”
How can you not love this? Sensing just how ridiculous the exploitation genre had become, Kelli and a group of “scream queens” took to the tubs!
Five of Hollywood’s leading scream queens get together in a creepy mansion and decide to get in the hot tub (as true scream queens would). They talk in the tub and exchange secrets on the do’s and don’ts of being a scream queen.
Look at this cast! Brinke Stevens, Michelle Bauer, Roxanne Kernohan and Monique Gabrille join Kelli in the hot tub…this was directed by Fred Olen Ray and Wynorski
Of course, I have featured them all in separate stories – like the terrific career of Gabrielle:
You can see more of Monique’s terrific career by clicking on my story here:
Next up, Kelli played schizophrenic femme fatale, “Meredith” in the Showtime thriller, “Face Down” in 1997.
Kelli Maroney most recent credits include the web series, “Rock & Roll Inc.”, the comedy “Pop Star” and more…
Kelli has more than 40 screen credits in her career, and many of them are 80’s classics.
The most recent story about her states:
“Kelli is the host of SMTCL TV and co-host of the podcast Rick’s Martini Bar. She has several projects in development as actor/producer, and lives in Hollywood with her soulmate Sasha, the wonder dog!”
Bravo to Kelly Maroney for her terrific cult career…she wasn’t the only Actress who appeared in many of the best 80’s cult gems:
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Let me know if you’ve seen any of Kelli’s films, and if you like this story please share on social media with friends!
Categories: Camp Cult Classics, Classic Action Films, Cult Classics, Exploitation Films, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
I’ve met Kelli before, she’s from the great white north where I live. She’s a sweetheart. Loved her in “Night of the Comet” but she has lots of good ones.
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thanks for sharing that! Yes, she had a great run of cult films!
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She went from The Shakespeare Company to ‘Chopping Mall’. Now that’s a career swerve! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Indeed, Pete! From “the Bard” to “Baring all!” Thanks for commenting!
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A very sexy and adorable movie honey from the 80’s. One more reason why i loved 80’s sex movies.
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