# Danielle von Zerneck

Danielle von Zerneck (born December 21, 1965) is an American film producer and former actress.

## Early life, family and education

Born in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, Danielle is the daughter of film producer Frank von Zerneck and actress Julie Mannix (daughter of author Daniel P. Mannix).

## Career

von Zerneck began her acting career in commercials and television films. From 1983 to 1984, she played Louisa "Lou" Swenson on General Hospital. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Donna Ludwig, Ritchie Valens' girlfriend in the film La Bamba (1987). Her last acting credit was in the 2001 television film Acceptable Risk, based on the novel of the same name. She has worked primarily as a film and television producer in recent years including Recovery Road, No One Would Tell and Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane.

## Personal life

In 1989, she married James Fearnley, an English accordion player for the Irish folk/punk band The Pogues.

## Filmography
### Acting
#### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1976 | Tunnel Vision | Daughter | |
| 1985 | My Science Project | Ellie Sawyer | |
| 1987 | La Bamba | Donna Ludwig | |
| 1988 | Under the Boardwalk | Allie | |
| 1988 | Dangerous Curves | Michelle West | |
| 1989 | Tale of Two Sisters | Adult Bug Girl | |
| 1990 | Arduous Moon | Shana | Short film |
| 1992 | Deuce Coupe | Virginia | |
| 1995 | Living in Oblivion | Wanda | |

#### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1977 | Sharon: Portrait of a Mistress | Heather | TV film |
| 1983-84 | General Hospital | Louisa "Lou" Swenson | TV series |
| 1984 | Summer Fantasy | Denise Biaggi | TV film |
| 1986 | Foley Square | | "Kid Stuff" |
| 1986 | Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | Susie Fratelli | "A Fighting Choice" |
| 1987 | Spenser: For Hire | Lisa Bodman | "Murder and Acquisitions" |
| 1987 | Family Ties | June | "Return of the Native" |
| 1988 | ABC Afterschool Special | Samm Matian | "Date Rape" |
| 1989 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Holly Hagen | "Curse of the Corn People" |
| 1990 | By Dawn's Early Light | Radnor's Wife | TV film |
| 1990 | Opposites Attract | Sky | TV film |
| 1991 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Shannon Nichols | "Doogstruck" |
| 1992 | Survive the Savage Sea | Susan | TV film |
| 1992 | Woman with a Past | Tammy | TV film |
| 1993 | Dream On | Kat | "And Bobby Makes Three" |
| 1993 | Beyond Suspicion | | TV film |
| 1995 | Deadly Invasion: The Killer Bee Nightmare | Linda | TV film |
| 1997 | Holiday in Your Heart | Photographer | TV film |
| 2001 | Acceptable Risk | Gloria | TV film |

### Producer

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1995 | Living in Oblivion | TV film (associate) |
| 1996 | God's Lonely Man | TV film |

#### Executive producer only

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2012 | Left to Die | TV film |
| 2016 | Recovery Road | TV series |
| 2018 | No One Would Tell | TV film |
| 2018 | Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane | TV film |
| 2018 | Christmas Around the Corner | TV film |
| 2016 | Christmas 9 to 5 | TV film |
| 2016 | Poisoned Love: The Stacey Castor Story | TV film |
| 2020 | The Christmas Setup | TV film |
| 2021 | Dying to Belong | TV film |
| 2021 | An Ice Wine Christmas | TV film |
| 2021 | A Clüsterfünke Christmas | TV film |
| 2021 | Under the Christmas Tree | TV film |
| 2022 | Designing Christmas | TV film |