Who could forget the infamous "Bitches, leave!" scene in 1987’s Robocop, when villain Clarence Boddicker rudely dismisses two women engaging in some extracurricular activities with Bob Morton?
While the line itself is memorable, it also brings to mind the faces of the characters present in that scene. One of those faces belongs to actress Adrianne Sachs.
As the film’s credits rolled and years turned into decades, many have wondered: What ever happened to Adrianne Sachs?
Background Info
Adrianne Sachs was born on October 8, 1957, in Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
In 1986, she was crowned Miss Brazil and she went on to graced the covers of over 500 romance novels, making her a familiar face to readers around the world.
Early Acting Career
Before landing her brief but memorable role in 1987’s Robocop, Adrianne Sachs had just a few minor acting credits in film and television.
Adrianne Sachs’ acting career began in 1983 with the role of Jesse’s girlfriend in the boxing drama The Last Fight. In 1984, she appeared as Vanessa in an episode of the TV series The New Mike Hammer.
Her next role was a bit part as Tawney in the 1985 comedy My Demon Lover. That same year, Sachs had an uncredited role as a studio aide in the horror film The Stuff.
Her acting experience was limited to these small supporting parts before she landed her brief but memorable role in 1987’s Robocop.
Robocop
“RoboCop,” directed by Paul Verhoeven, is a 1987 science fiction film set in a crime-ridden and dystopian Detroit. The movie revolves around Alex Murphy, a police officer who is brutally murdered and subsequently resurrected as the titular RoboCop, a cyborg law enforcer.
Adrianne Sachs played the role of ‘Tawney’, a minor but memorable character in the film. While her screen time might have been limited, her presence in one of the movie’s most notorious scenes ensured that she would not be easily forgotten by audiences.
“RoboCop,” a film that masterfully blended action, science fiction, and biting social commentary, is filled with memorable moments.
"Bitches Leave"
Yet, one scene in particular, set in the luxurious apartment of Bob Morton, stands out not just for its tension but for a line that would become one of the movie’s most quoted. In this scene, Adrianne Sachs brilliantly portrayed the character of Tawney, who, along with her friend, becomes an unwitting participant in a power play between two of the film’s antagonists.
The line “Bitches leave” is delivered by Clarence Boddicker, played by Kurtwood Smith, and is directed at Tawney and her friend. On the surface, it’s a command for them to exit the room before a violent confrontation ensues.
However, the backstory of how this line came to be is both humorous and a testament to the cultural nuances that can arise during international film productions.
According to a behind-the-scenes account from the video provided, the line’s inception was a result of a linguistic misunderstanding. Paul Verhoeven, the Dutch director of “RoboCop,” and Yost Ficano, the German cinematographer, were apparently unaware of the derogatory connotations of the term “Bitches” in English, especially when referring to women. As they were blocking out the scene, Verhoeven innocently pondered whether, after Boddicker says “Bitches leave,” the “Bitches” should leave immediately or wait for a further cue.
The humorous confusion and deliberation over the line had other cast members, including Miguel Ferrer, in stitches. The actresses playing the roles of Tawney and her friend seemed unfazed by the term, taking it in stride and focusing on the scene’s execution.
In the end, the line “Bitches leave” was delivered with chilling detachment by Smith, encapsulating the movie’s dark tone and Boddicker’s ruthless nature. While it may have originated from a cultural misunderstanding, it became a defining moment in the film, showcasing the raw and unfiltered world of “RoboCop.”
In the Cold of the Night
After Robocop, Adrianne Sachs’ acting career continued, though in relatively minor roles. In 1989, she played Anita DeBoya in the crime thriller Cat Chaser, followed by the role of Cecilia Lorca in the drama Two to Tango later that year.
Sachs was then seen as Kelly in the martial arts film Best of the Best in 1990. That same year, she took on the role of Christy Barnstrom in the TV miniseries Family of Spies.
One of Adrianne Sachs’ last major roles was as Kimberly Shawn in the 1990 erotic thriller In the Cold of the Night. Directed by Nico Mastorakis, the film centers on a fashion photographer named Scott Bruin (Jeff Lester) who moves into a guest house and becomes entangled with the mysterious tenants living there.
Sachs plays Kimberly, one of the sexy women living in the guest house who helps draw the unsuspecting Scott into a dangerous web of passion and murder.
The film’s release was not without controversy. As detailed in Kevin S. Sandler’s book “The Naked Truth: Why Hollywood Doesn’t Make X-Rated Movies,” “In The Cold of the Night” was initially slapped with an X rating by the Motion Picture Association of America.
This decision came just before the association introduced the NC-17 rating, highlighting the film’s boundary-pushing content.
Recent News and Interviews
Though she made a splash in the late 80s, Adrianne Sachs has long since left acting behind. After fading from the spotlight in the early 90s, she made just a few sporadic appearances before leaving the profession entirely.
Her last roles were over 15 years ago in minor projects. In 1993, she appeared as Yvonne in the sci-fi movie Alien Intruder, credited under the alternate spelling “Andrianne Sachs.”
Over a decade passed before her final acting credit, playing Shopper #1 in the 2006 short film The Pill.
Although she has retired from acting, Adrianne Sachs took part in the documentary “RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop”
The 4-part series offers an in-depth look into the making of the film, its cultural significance, and the challenges faced during its production.
Adrianne Sachs is among the many cast and crew members who provide exclusive insights into the film’s creation.
The docuseries features perspectives from stars such as Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Ronny Cox, Ray Wise, and Kurtwood Smith.
Additionally, insights from director Paul Verhoeven, writers Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner, and special effects legend Phil Tippett enrich the narrative, painting a comprehensive picture of the film’s journey from concept to screen.
Family
Adrianne’s personal life has seen its share of significant moments. She was married to Mikkel Staal Eggen, with whom she shares a daughter, Mikaela Katrina.
While the couple eventually parted ways, their bond gave birth to a beautiful legacy in the form of their daughter. Mikaela, following in her mother’s footsteps, has made her mark as well.
She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 2012 and was the Runner Up in the Miss California USA Pageant in 2014.
With aspirations of becoming a model, Mikaela seems poised to continue the legacy of her family in the world of glamour and entertainment.