Celebrating The Career Of Cult Movie Queen Shannon Whirry!

First of all, thanks to the Facebook friends who recommended I profile the career of Actress Shannon Whirry – I wasn’t familiar with her career – but what a career it was!

My “2022 Sex Kitten Countdown” has the story of an empowered Actress who appeared in some of the most popular “direct to video” films of the 90’s – let’s take a look!

Shannon was born on November 7, 1964 in Green Lake, Wisconsin

After graduating from high school, Whirry headed to New York and trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts during the 1980s.

She managed to break through and had appearances on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and the daytime soap ‘One Life to Live’ as well – but her future was in film.

She made her movie debut in 1991 opposite Steven Seagal in “Out For Justice”…and after that, Hollywood beckoned and she was on her way to Hollywood.

Shannon made an immediate splash. This was the era of “direct to VHS” erotic thrillers, fueled in part by the “skinamax” trend of late night pay cable….for Shannon, she jumped right into the genre in the 1992 erotic thriller “Animal Instincts.”

Shannon bared all in this hugely popular erotic thriller!

A cop videotapes his wife having various sexual encounters to spruce up their marriage. However, they soon land in hot water when a mobster learns of their marital activities.

After this film, Shannon was on a roll – she ended up with FIFTY onscreen credits!

“Animal Instincts 2” followed with even more erotic action – here’s the wildly provocative trailer:

Shannon quickly emerged as one of the most popular Cult Movie Queens of the home video / late night day cable erotic thriller genre!

“Body Of Influence” was next, and “Mirror Images 2” was also released in 1993…Shannon ended up in a variety of films – but there was a constant theme: she was an empowered woman with an insatiable appetite.

Here are more of her films:

She was featured in a number of cult film magazines at the time as well – along with one of the Icons of the era:

Julie Strain was another legendary Cult Movie Queen as well:

She was stunningly beautiful and empowered – and had a great sense of humor as well – here’s an appreciation of her life and career:

Here’s another erotic thriller: “Private Obsession” in 1995.

Check out the trailer:

Shannon continued her string of provocative thrillers throughout the 90’s – one of the most interesting times for cult film with the explosion of VHS and pay cable:

“Dangerous Prey” was released that same year.

As I said, she appeared in dozens of films during this time…

She had no issue with the nudity required for these films – as long as she was an empowered female. As she said in a 1998 interview:

“If a part called for any type of nudity, I would at least make sure that the woman was smart and powerful. The roles that have required nudity have either been good or interesting, or they have presented me with an opportunity to work with actors I respect. I’ve never just whipped off my top and run down a hallway.”

Whirry also appeared in a number of TV shows as well at the time, able to cross over from the erotic thriller genre to appear in mainstream projects as well!

While she was one of the biggest stars of the “direct to video” erotic thriller genre of the 90’s, Whirry felt that roles were drying up in LA, where the focus was, and remains, on youth. She left LA in 2004.

Shannon Whirry now lives in Phoenix Arizona. She performs on stage with iTheatre Collaborative or Nearly Naked Theatre.

Bravo to Shannon – what a career! It reminded me of another 90’s “VHS Superstar”:

Joan Severance was also a huge star of erotic thrillers in the 90’s – click here to see her story:

There were many Cult Movie Queens from this era:

Shannon Tweed had a wild career and you can see it all here:

Here’s another great star of erotic cinema and music videos as well:

Tawny Kitaen had a wild career in film, TV and music videos too!

Here’s an appreciation of Kitaen’s life:

Kim Dawson was also a huge erotic thriller star:

You can see more of her provocative roles here:

Her career reminds of this Actress, who also starred in some great 90’s erotic thrillers:

Kay Lenz starred in the terrific cult film “Stripped To Kill” and many other gems as well..click here to see more:

Victoria Silvstedt was another Model / Actress who had a great run in the 90’s:

I never met her, but here’s the story of how she came to write me a “wet” note on one of her calendars!

Of course, when it came to a cult movie Queen who was involved with a “bad boy”, look no further than here:

Denise Richards made some wild films and married Charlie Sheen too!

Click here to see her whole story:

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