Jennifer O'Neill

Jennifer O'Neill (born February 20, 1948) is a Brazilian-born American author, model and former actress who first came to prominence as a teenage model for CoverGirl cosmetics, which spanned three decades, beginning in 1963. She made her feature film debut in the comedy film 'For Love of Ivy' in 1968, following which she played the lead role in Howard Hawks's Western film 'Rio Lobo' in 1970. O'Neill's breakthrough role was in Robert Mulligan's period drama 'Summer of '42' in 1971. She later starred in David Cronenberg's cult horror film 'Scanners' in 1981, and was also a part of the short-lived television series 'Cover Up'. In 1988, O'Neill became a born-again Christian and became active in the anti-abortion movement. She has authored several books detailing her career, marriages, experiences with anxiety and postpartum depression, and her religious faith. O'Neill is also the founder of the Hope & Healing at Hillenglade foundation in Nashville, Tennessee, an equine therapy foundation for war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Since the 1990s, O'Neill has occasionally appeared in film and television. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Irene Freda and Oscar Delgado O'Neill, she moved to the United States as an infant. She began riding horses at age 9 and became an accomplished equestrienne. At age 14, O'Neill attempted suicide and fell into a coma for approximately two weeks. This event spurred her to seek proper role models. She began a successful modelling career at a young age and by the time she was 15, was appearing on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Seventeen. Later on, O'Neill found herself having to deal with serious personal issues including a gunshot wound in her home in 1982, periods of postpartum depression and turbulent relationships. She used these experiences to inspire her writings and her work in activism, primarily related to pro-life and anti-abortion matters.