Dana Hill, an American actress known for her role in ‘National Lampoon’s European Vacation’, overcame the challenges of Type I diabetes to pursue a successful career in acting. Despite her physical limitations, Dana’s indomitable spirit led her to appear in TV commercials and series, eventually establishing herself as an actress by the age of 17. Her ability to convincingly portray younger characters, due to the effects of her disease, propelled her career forward. Although forced to give up acting at 22 due to diabetes-related health issues, Dana found success as a voice artist until her untimely death at 32.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Dana Lynne Goetz
- Died At Age: 32
- Family:
- Father: Ted Goetz
- Mother: Sandy Hill
- Occupation: Actresses, Voice Actors
- Height: 4’11” (150 cm), 4’11” Females
- Died on: July 15, 1996
- Place of death: Burbank
- U.S. State: California
- City: Los Angeles
Childhood & Early Years
Dana Hill was born as Dana Lynne Goetz on May 6, 1964, in Encino, Los Angeles, California into a Hollywood family. Her father, Theodore Arthur “Ted” Goetz, was a well-known director and producer of television commercials, and her mother, Sandy Goetz nee Hill, was a homemaker. Dana was the oldest of her parents’ three children and had two younger brothers named Mathew Goetz and Daniel Goetz. She also had four half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage. Dana was very athletic in her childhood and excelled in swimming, basketball, and track. However, her athletic career came to an end when she was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 10. Despite the challenges posed by her health condition, Dana developed a keen interest in acting during her early teens, taking inspiration from Mary Tyler Moore, who also had Type I diabetes.
Career
Dana Hill made her television debut in 1978 at the age of 14, appearing in an episode of the ABC sitcom “Mork & Mindy.” She chose to use her mother’s maiden name, Hill, as her professional surname to establish her career based on her own merit. In 1981, she had her breakthrough role as Jennifer Phillips, a molestation victim, in the made-for-television movie “Fallen Angel.” This role earned her a Young Artist Award. Dana continued to work in television and film, appearing in projects such as “Shoot the Moon” (1982) and “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” (1985), which is considered one of her best works. However, her health started to deteriorate, and she stopped receiving casting calls.
Later Career
From 1987, Dana Hill transitioned into voice acting due to her health condition. She provided voices for characters in TV series and films such as “Pound Puppies,” “Mighty Mouse and New Adventure,” and “Goof Troop.” Her last film role was in “Tom and Jerry: The Movie” (1992), and she continued to work in television movies and series until her career ended in 1996.
Major Works
Dana Hill is best known for her role as Audrey Griswald in the 1985 film “National Lampoon’s European Vacation.” The film was a commercial success and solidified her reputation as an actress. She is also recognized for her performance in “Shoot the Moon” (1982), which received critical acclaim.
Death & Legacy
Dana Hill suffered from health complications throughout her life due to her diabetes. She experienced kidney problems and gastroparesis, which severely affected her ability to digest food. In May 1996, she slipped into a diabetic coma and suffered a massive paralytic stroke, leading to her death on July 15, 1996, at the age of 32. Dana’s legacy lives on through her contributions to the entertainment industry and her portrayal of memorable characters.