International filmgoers first became aware of golden-haired British child actress Patsy Kensit when she appeared as Patsy Buchannan, the daughter of Daisy and Tom Buchanan (Mia Farrow and Bruce Dern), in the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby. Two years later she was sharing the spotlight with such veterans as Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner in the U.S./Russian co-production The Blue Bird (1976). Having learned her craft in TV commercials, the 17-year-old Kensit was up to the task of stepping into the difficult leading role of "Crepe Suzette" in Absolute Beginners (1986). As a bonus, Absolute Beginners allowed Kensit to perform a song that she composed herself, "Having It All," which briefly hit the charts in England. Always a favorite of critics, Kensit tried to become a major box office attraction by appearing as Mel Gibson's leading lady in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), but the role simply wasn't up to her talents. She fared far better with her riveting performance (considered her best by many observers) in the little-seen Twenty-One (1991). Patsy Kensit's output in the 1990s has included Blame it on the Bellboy (1991), The Turn of the Screw (1993) and Bitter Harvest (1995), as well as a 1991 TV adaptation of Adam Bede.
by Hal Erickson
biography
