Anneka Di Lorenzo was an American actress known for her roles in “Caligula,” “Dressed to Kill,” and several other films. Born as Marjorie Lee Thoreson on September 6, 1952, in St. Paul, Minnesota, she found fame in the 1970s as a model and actress.
Personal and Family Life
Di Lorenzo was the second of four daughters born to Leroy and Patricia Thoreson. She had three sisters: Barbara, Jodi, and Susan. Anneka had one daughter, Jessica Marie Thoreson, and was previously married to Philip Felice Vasta. Before her acting career, she worked various jobs, including as a nursing assistant at the time of her death.
Career
After dropping out of high school in 1967, Anneka moved to Los Angeles, where she worked as a receptionist and cocktail waitress. She gained recognition as the Penthouse Pet of the Month in September 1973 and went on to appear in several films, including “The Centerfold Girls” and “Caligula.” Her role in “Caligula” earned her both fame and controversy, affecting her later career.
Death and Legacy
On January 4, 2011, Anneka’s body was discovered on a beach near Camp Pendleton, California. She was found to have broken neck and back injuries, with the cause of death reported as drowning. Investigations into her death left open questions about whether it was accidental or involved foul play.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Dressed to Kill | 1980-07-25 | Nurse |
| Caligula | 1979-08-14 | Messalina |
| The Centerfold Girls | 1974-08-08 | Pam |
| Mama’s Dirty Girls | 1974-08-17 | Charity |
| Messalina, Messalina! | 1977-08-11 | Messalina |
| Act of Vengeance | 1974-01-02 | Chris |
| Caligula: The Ultimate Cut | 2023-05-15 | Messalina |