You may know her as the fearless and intrepid Sergeant Callahan from Police Academy and the chilling villainess in Rob Zombie’s horror classic.
But Leslie Easterbrook’s journey is more than just legendary roles, it’s a masterclass in transformation.
From small-town Nebraska to Hollywood fame, she shattered stereotypes and redefined what it means to be a badass woman on screen. But where is she now?
She was adopted when she was very young.
Leslie Easterbrook’s career is a testament to her versatility, resilience and undeniable screen presence.
Many will recognise her from her role as the formidable and hilarious Sergeant Debbie Callahan from Police Academy, but her path in Hollywood goes far beyond that iconic role.
Born in Nebraska and adopted at the age of nine months, Leslie’s Midwestern upbringing shaped her sensible and pragmatic outlook on life. Her adoptive father, a music professor, and adoptive mother, an English teacher, fostered in her a love of education and music. As the only child of singing parents, Leslie was always surrounded by the sounds of music.
‘It was natural for us to share our love of music with Leslie. We thought she had a nice voice and certainly encouraged her to attend vocal groups, but it wasn’t until she went to college that we discovered what a wonderful voice she really had,’ her mother told the Omaha World-Herald in 1977.
Leslie Easterbrook, June 1989 (Photo: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty Images)
Leslie Easterbrook aspired to be an opera singer, but after graduating from Kearney High School and then attending Stevens College, it seemed that Easterbrook was doomed to an ordinary life. But Hollywood had other plans.
In 1980, she landed the role of Rhonda Lee on the TV series Laverne & Shirley, a long-running ABC hit. When the series moved from Milwaukee to California, her character – a glamorous, witty neighbour – quickly rose to prominence in subsequent seasons.
‘It was a really amazing experience to finally be a part of the series, playing Rhonda’s character. As soon as I got the role, the SAG strike started. When the strike ended, I got a call saying I had to audition again for the role I thought I had already gotten. It was only after six auditions that I finally got the part and was able to start work,’ Leslie shared.
But it was her role as Sergeant Callahan in ‘Police Academy’ that truly made her a star. At first hesitant to play such a dominant, sexually confident character, Easterbrook accepted the challenge. Her commanding presence, sharp comedic timing and fearless energy turned Callahan into a cult favourite – it’s impossible not to remember the tough and cavalier instructor at the police academy.
‘The funny thing is, it’s not about me at all. I’ve never played a tough guy. I played stuff, but I never played someone who was bullying or someone who was sexually aggressive. I was the size that I never played a girl who gets a guy. I wondered how I could do it. But I could. I came to the audition and I scared the producer and the director and then they leaned back in their chairs and I thought, ‘Oh no, now I’ve really messed up. I’ve freaked them out.’ So I left the audition upset. I didn’t read the script until after I got the part. I thought it was outrageous and so funny,’ Leslie said.
How she prepared for the role of Sergeant Callahan
Throughout her years as an actress in Hollywood, Leslie, despite her love of good food, tried to always stay in shape. She was an avid sportswoman, playing on the volleyball team, equestrian and passionate about running. Twice a week she ran about 10 miles per session, keeping herself in great shape. She also took dance classes and worked out regularly at the gym.
To prepare for her role in ‘Police Academy,’ she went even further, training intensively in karate and martial arts to bring strength and authenticity to Sergeant Callahan’s fearless personality. Did you know that Leslie Easterbrook’s character name ‘Callahan’ is said to be a reference to Clint Eastwood’s famous character Dirty Harry?
However, ‘Police Academy’ was just one chapter in her extensive career. She appeared on television more than 300 times, appearing in series such as Murder, She Wrote, Baywatch, Matlock and The Dukes of Hazzard.
She even appeared in films such as ‘Private Resort’ and in the 2000s switched to the horror genre and starred in films such as ‘The Devil’s Rejects.’
‘The horror genre intrigues me in many ways, but I’m always struck by the suspenseful nature of this entertainment. A lot of the genre is creepy and grisly, but when I meet fans, they turn out to be the most upbeat and delightful people in the world. I get to know their kids and parents. They are good, law-abiding, ordinary, delightful people. My favourite theory is that they have found a place to exorcise their demons and are probably the healthiest people in the world,’ says Leslie.
When people talk about the film Private Resort (1985), they usually mention one thing: Johnny Depp. The film is mostly known for being Depp’s first starring role in a theatrical production, alongside Rob Morrow. A classic ‘80s teen sex comedy, “Private Resort” relies heavily on bikinis, bare skin and ridiculous jokes to sell itself.
But for those who have actually seen the film, another name that often comes up is Leslie Easterbrook.
Easterbrook plays Bobbie Sue, a seductive and witty woman who gets caught up in the wild antics of Jack (Depp) and Ben (Morrow) at a luxury beach resort. Her character is at the centre of one of the film’s main plots, using her charm and cunning to create a whirlwind of chaos and comedy.
What sets Easterbrook’s performance apart is her ability to combine sultry appeal with perfect comedic timing.
She brings a mischievous energy to Bobbie Sue, enhancing the humour of the film and proving once again that she has a talent for playing strong, playful and unpredictable women. While ‘Private Resort’ never became a cinematic classic or a highlight of Johnny Depp’s career, it delivers exactly what audiences have come to expect from ‘80s comedies: trouble, absurd situations, and just the right amount of mischief.
Chaos at the Super Bowl
Behind the scenes, Easterbrook had her own boundaries. She agreed to bare only her butt in the film – this clause was spelled out in her contract. However, producers allegedly convinced her to wear a see-through negligee, which left little to the imagination in bright lighting.
As for Depp and Morrow? They were so embarrassed by the film Private Resort that they reportedly made a pact to track down and destroy all existing copies. It’s safe to say they failed, because decades later, the film lives on, and Leslie Easterbrook’s unforgettable performance is one of the most talked about moments.
In addition to acting, Easterbrook’s talent extended to music. She had a strong voice, and in the early 1980s she sang the anthem ‘Star Spangled Banner’ at several games for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the California Angels.
Perhaps her proudest moment was singing the national anthem at Super Bowl XVII in 1983. But her journey to performing the song at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena was full of mishaps and setbacks.
It all started when she sang at Angels games for free tickets, where her talent caught the attention of the Los Angeles Rams’ entertainment manager. Word spread and soon she was being considered for a Super Bowl performance.
But things didn’t seem to go smoothly for her. After an accident caused her to miss a game where NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle planned to hear her sing, she sent him a tape. Finally, she got the job, but the chaos didn’t end there.
The limo driver got lost, security wouldn’t let her in, and she had to run across the Rose Bowl car park in high heels, carrying her dress. Once she reached the venue, she barely caught her breath before performing.
As she prepared to sing, she joked with the honour guard, and things went from there – some of the players even patted her on the back as if she were one of them. It was a wild, unforgettable experience full of missed moments, but it all worked out in the end.
Accident on the set of Police Academy.
Off-screen, Leslie is an active advocate for safety and firearms education, creating instructional videos for beginners.
In the early 1990s, she decided to learn how to shoot a shotgun, a choice prompted by an accident that occurred during the filming of the ‘Police Academy’ video.
She was asked to fire the starter pistol to signal the start of the race. To get the best shot, the cameraman told her to hold the gun close to her face. Not knowing that she needed ear protection, she fired the gun and the sharp blast shattered her eardrum.
The experience made her realise that if she was ever to work with firearms in film again, she had to fully understand how to use them. She turned to her friend Lee Purcell, an experienced shooter, who helped her get started.
Despite her vision problems, she took it upon herself to master shotgun shooting. The training was difficult, time-consuming and expensive, but she persevered. Two years later, she took first place in Class D at a shotgun competition in the state of California. Although it was the lowest class, the victory was significant, for she managed to beat out 400 men who had been shooting their entire lives.
Her commitment to philanthropy, especially supporting children’s charities and law enforcement, further underscores her dedication to causes beyond Hollywood.
Leslie Easterbrook’s Husband
Her marriage to screenwriter Dan Wilcox was a defining moment in her life and lasted until his passing in 2024. Throughout her life, Lesley Easterbrook remained a force to be reckoned with: she was never content to be typecast and always pushed the boundaries of what was expected of her.
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The veteran film actress’ legacy is not just Hollywood success, but a story of reinvention, fearlessness and an indelible mark in every sphere she touched. She remained good friends with her former ‘Police Academy’ co-writer Scott Thomson and was closely associated with the late Marion Ramsey. Easterbrook often said the cast of the original film felt like one big family.
Leslie Easterbrook, now 75, has proven that true icons never fit into a frame. As of 2025, she has never retired from acting, although she has had few notable roles in recent years. Her last work dates back to 2022.
Does she still look just as stunning today? Absolutely!
