Biography
Kristin Bauer van Straten was an American actress known for her TV roles as sinister beauties: the vampire Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on "True Blood" (HBO 2008-2014) and Maleficent the evil queen on "Once Upon a Time" (ABC 2011- ). She was born Kristin Neubauer on November 26th, 1966 in Racine, Wisconsin. Growing up in a rural area with a passion for guns and horses, she was also drawn to the artistic world. Though she studied fine arts in college, she decided to pursue acting and moved to Los Angeles. She struggled there for her first few years, working as a window washer and nanny, among other professions, in order to scrape by. Her first major television gig came with a starring role as one of the flight attendants on "The Crew" (Fox 1995-96). She continued to appear in small roles in film and TV, most notoriously as Gillian, a woman with "man hands" whom Jerry dates on "Seinfeld" (NBC 1989-1998). In addition to her work as an actress, she worked for animal rights and conservation charities, adopting many strays into her own household. She also continued to paint and draw. Her most recognizable role came as the icy series regular Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on "True Blood." She was later cast as the notorious Maleficent in the popular fantasy series "Once Upon A Time."
