By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-04 14:40:22 | Updated at 2026-08-04 17:33:13
3 hours ago
She was one of the most recognizable actresses of the 1980s, starring in a string of hit comedy films that made her a household name.
And on Monday, the 64-year-old star was seen on a rare outing with her husband, 67, in Los Angeles. In photos exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail, the couple were pictured soaking up the sun while taking a walk.
Onscreen, she is best known for her work in a series of popular 80s comedy films, dominating the decade with multiple credits in some of the era's most memorable motion pictures.
They include 1982's The Last American Virgin, 1982's Amityville II: The Possession, 1985's Better Off Dead opposite John Cusack, and 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure alongside Keanu Reeves.
In addition to her work on the silver screen, the star also has shown her versatility with TV appearances on a number of prominent shows, voice-over roles and also authored a series of books.
Can you guess the identity of this talented entertainer?
This popular actress was seen taking a walk with her husband on Monday on a hot day in Los Angeles
In photos exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail, the 64-year-old actress and her spouse, 67, were seen staying active on the summer day in Southern California. Can you guess who?
The mystery star is Diane Franklin, who was joined on the outing by her husband Ray DeLaurentis!
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Franklin, but has yet to hear back.
During the stroll Franklin wore an all-black ensemble consisting of a tank top, shorts and sneakers while listening to audio through a pair of earbuds.
She wore her signature curly hair up and led the way, with her husband following behind.
DeLaurentis, a veteran writer, donned an all-blue ensemble of a T-shirt and Nike shorts with white sneakers.
He beamed on the outing while carrying a water bottle.
Franklin, according to a bio on her website, got her start at the age of 10 with jobs modeling, in commercials and with voice-over roles.
She also gained experience working onstage in Equity theater and appeared on six episodes of the soap opera As the World Turns in the role of Lois Middleton in 1979.
That's right, it's Diane Franklin! In what's described as 'her most beloved role,' she portrayed French-exchange student, Monique Junot, in the 1985 comedy Better Off Dead (seen in a still)
During the stroll Franklin wore an all-black ensemble consisting of a tank top, shorts and sneakers while listening to audio through a pair of earbuds
She was joined on the outing by her husband Ray DeLaurentis
Franklin is mother to a pair of children: writer/actress, Olivia DeLaurentis and musician Nick DeLaurentis
Franklin has more than 35,000 followers on her Instagram page, where she keeps fans tuned in to her current endeavors while providing nostalgic tidbits about her most prominent roles
She wore her signature curly hair up and led the way, with her husband following behind
Her initial foray into film came with the 1982 motion picture The Last American Virgin, in which she played the role of Karen. Pictured with costar Steve Antin
She appeared opposite late Hollywood star Bill Paxton in 1983's Deadly Lessons, playing the role of Stefanie Aggiston
Her initial foray into film came with the 1982 motion picture The Last American Virgin, in which she played the role of Karen.
'She was selected out of hundreds of girls to play the role,' according to her bio, as her 'long, dark, curly hair was introduced' and helped launch a major 80s fashion trend.
Next up was a role in the horror film Amityville II: The Possession, in which she portrayed daughter Patricia Montelli, who had been 'a victim of incest and family abuse,' per her bio.
She continued to build momentum in her career with appearances in a pair of 1983 TV films - Deadly Lessons with the late Bill Paxton, and Summer Girl.
In what's described as 'her most beloved role,' she portrayed French-exchange student, Monique Junot, in the 1985 comedy Better Off Dead, which starred John Cusack.
Franklin racked up further credits with motion pictures such as 1986's TerrorVision and 1989's How I Got Into College.
Another notable career highlight included her role as Princess Joanna opposite Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter and the late George Carlin in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure in 1989.
She has also made appearances on a number of prominent TV shows of the era, including Murder She Wrote, Charles In Charge, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Matlock.
She appeared in the comedy Better Off Dead which starred John Cusack, who played Lane Meyer
The stars are positioned on a black vehicle parked on a baseball field in a shot from the film
In addition to her work in front of the camera she has penned a trio of books about her career. They include the autobiography Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures Of The Last American, French-exchange Babe Of The 80s. Pictured 2014 in Parsippany, New Jersey
She has continually worked in the decades since, with projects featured on Hulu, Peacock and ABC.
Among her projects in recent years include the 2023 movie The Dark Room, the 2024 film Angel with a Gun and last year's Bampire, a horror film.
Franklin has more than 35,000 followers on her Instagram page, where she keeps fans tuned in to her current endeavors while providing nostalgic tidbits about her most prominent roles.
She is slated to appear at Skyline Scares, an event in Indiana this October.
In addition to her work in front of the camera she has penned a trio of books about her career. They include the autobiography Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures Of The Last American, French-exchange Babe Of The 80s.
She also wrote Diane Franklin: The Excellent Curls Of The Last American, French-exchange Babe Of The 80s, which detailed her behind the scenes experiences making The Last American Virgin.
Another book she authored, according to her bio, was a tribute to Better Off Dead.
Franklin is mother to a pair of children, according to her bio: writer/actress, Olivia DeLaurentis and musician Nick DeLaurentis.
