In the 1980s, Lisa Eilbacher was a familiar face on the big and small screens, appearing in popular films like Beverly Hills Cop and An Officer and a Gentleman. With her girl-next-door looks and natural acting chops, Eilbacher seemed poised to become a major star. But as the neon lights dimmed and the era of big hair and shoulder pads came to a close, Eilbacher’s presence in the limelight gradually faded, leaving fans wondering: Whatever happened to Lisa Eilbacher?
Backgorund Info
Born on May 5, 1956, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Lisa Eilbacher is the daughter of an American oil company executive. She spent her early childhood in Paris before her family relocated to Beverly Hills, California. It was there that Eilbacher was discovered and began her career as a child actor.
Lisa Eilbacher got her start as a child actress in the late 1960s, appearing on shows like Wagon Train, The Brady Bunch, Gunsmoke and My Three Sons. She transitioned to adult roles in the 1970s with parts in series like Hawaii Five-O and she would also audition for the part of Princess Leia in the 1977 movie Star Wars: A New Hope.
An Officer and a Gentleman
Lisa Eilbacher’s career reached a significant milestone with her role as Casey Seeger in the 1982 romantic drama “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Directed by Taylor Hackford and produced by Paramount Pictures, the film stars Richard Gere, Debra Winger, and Louis Gossett Jr.
It centers around a young man’s journey at Navy Officer Candidate School and his ambition to become an aviator.
Beverly Hills Cop
Lisa Eilbacher took on the role of Jeanette “Jenny” Summers in the 1984 hit Beverly Hills Cop. As a mutual friend of the murder victim and Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley, Jenny becomes a significant player in the events of the film. Eilbacher’s performance as the charming and quick-witted secretary lit up the screen, complementing Murphy’s comedic talents. Her standout role as Jenny helped make Beverly Hills Cop one of the biggest blockbuster hits of the 1980s.
Midnight Caller
Midnight Caller was a drama television series that aired on NBC from October 1988 to May 1991. The series was created by Richard DiLello and dealt with the phenomenon of talk radio. The shows starred Gary Cole, Wendy Kilbourne, Dennis Dun, and Lisa Eilbacher.
Lisa Eilbacher would appear on Midnight Caller across 19 episodes from 1990 to 1991. She would pay the character of Nicky Molloy, a strict and no-nonsense producer for the radio show.
Throughout the early ’90s, Eilbacher made several TV movies, with her last known role being in 1995’s “919 Fifth Avenue.”
What is Lisa Eilbacherdoing now?
Eilbacher appears to have consciously stepped away from Hollywood to focus on her marriage to photographer Brad May and live a more private life. She has largely stayed out of the public eye and has not been active on major social media platforms. There is no indication Eilbacher plans to return to acting, and she seems content with her decision to live a more low-key life, focusing on what truly matters to her.
Although she has laragely remained private, there is footage of her in 2015 from this Instagram account:
Personal Life
Lisa Eilbacher and Bradford May, a director and cinematographer, tied the knot on August 27, 1988, and have been together ever since.
May is renowned for his cinematography in “The Monster Squad” (1987) and his directorial work in “Lady Against the Odds” (1992) and “Tremors: The Series” (2003). The couple likely first crossed paths on the set of “The Twilight Zone” in 1986, specifically during the “The Storyteller/Nightsong” episode, where Eilbacher acted and May directed.
There is no public record of the couple having children, and given Eilbacher’s private nature since the mid-1990s, details of her personal life remain largely unknown.
Cindy Eilbacher is Lisa’s youngest sister and is best known for Planet of the Apes (1974) and The Young and the Restless (1973).
Bobby Eilbacher, Lisa’s youngest brother, would retire by the late 1970s.
Jason King says
Hey Nick (or Tobias Fünke)
Great article. I watched Beverly Hills Cop last night and forgot Lisa Eilbacher was in it – she and Murphy had great chemistry.
My guess: She retired as she saw too much of the seedier side of Hollywood and wanted out.
Ron says
Great article. I’m here because of the Netflix reboot buzz. Glad she hasn’t been cast. She was so awkward and unbelievable as Axle’s friend in the first film.
Looks like she stopped getting call backs and just gave up which worked out for everyone. Nice to see younger and much better actresses get their chance in Hollywood.
Dennis Miller says
Ron doesn’t know what he is talking about. She did a great job in that movie.
George O’Hanlon, Jr. says
I saw Eddie Murphy in “You People” which sparked a memory of Lisa Eilbacher. I acted with her in a TRW commercial back in the 70’s as well as her screen test for the part of “Nancy Drew” in “The Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys Mysteries”. I found her to be real, professional, talented and beautiful. I enjoyed talking and working with her.
Whatever she’s up to these days, I hope she’s happy and healthy.
Jim Cayon says
…..had SUCH a crush on her, LARGELY due to the two 1982 ‘Simon & Simon’ turns (which I’m re-watching right now; an extremely-underrated series!) but both the ‘Streets’ & ‘H-50’ guest appearances (among others) contributed, I’m sure – she’s not much older than me; I just turned 60 last Hallowe’en…..would be GREAT to drop a line and say ‘hi’ but, NO idea how to make contact with her…..ALWAYS seemed to present with a lot of grace, warmth, down-to-earthedness – even on ‘Midnight Caller’ 🙂