Teaching Students About Joan Severance

Joan Severance is an American actress, model, and author with a remarkable career spanning several decades. Known for her striking beauty and exceptional talent, Severance has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Teaching students about Joan Severance allows them to understand the intersection of various disciplines such as acting, modeling and writing, as well as introducing them to an inspiring figure.
Early Life and Modeling Career
Born on December 23, 1958, in Houston, Texas, Joan Severance grew up as an Air Force brat whose family moved frequently until they finally settled in Libya. At the age of 15, her family decided to return to the United States due to the outbreak of the Six-Day War.
Severance’s modeling career took off at the age of 18 when she signed with Elite Model Management – one of the world’s most prestigious modeling agencies. She quickly became one of their top models and started breaking into the international scene by appearing on covers of magazines such as Vogue and Sport’s Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her striking looks, standing tall at a height of 5’9″, paved her path in this competitive industry.
Transition to Acting
As her modeling career flourished, Joan Severance soon ventured into acting. Her breakout role came with Lethal Weapon (1987), a blockbuster film starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Her versatility attracted directors and casting agents alike which secured roles in hit TV series like Wiseguy (1987-1990), where she played a sultry but smart undercover agent.
During the 1990s, Joan continued to land roles in numerous television shows and movies like Lake Consequence (1993), Black Scorpion (1995), In Dark Places (1997), Black Scorpion II: Aftershock (1997), and more. Despite facing stiff competition in Hollywood, Severance managed to carve out a niche for herself with her versatile acting skills and captivating presence on-screen.
Author and Entrepreneur
Joan Severance’s talents are not limited to just modeling and acting. In 2016, she published her book, “Manifest Your Mate,” a how-to guide on finding one’s soulmate using practices like visualization and meditation. Additionally, Joan is also known for her entrepreneurial instincts, having launched her line of wigs called WigOUT, which caters to women going through hair loss.
Teaching Points and Lessons
Educators can use Joan Severance’s life story as an inspiration for students by highlighting the following key lessons:
1. Perseverance: Joan transitioned from a successful modeling career to becoming an accomplished actress and writer. Her determination can inspire students to work hard toward their goals and never give up.
2. Versatility: Her ability to excel in various domains demonstrates the importance of being adaptable, which is an essential skill for students to acquire in today’s rapidly changing world.
3. Inner Strength: Joan battled personal challenges such as hair loss due to alopecia. By launching her wig line, WigOUT, she turned an adversity into opportunity. This teaches students how inner strength can become fundamental in overcoming obstacles.
Conclusion
Introducing the life and career of Joan Severance in the classroom not only offers students a unique perspective on the entertainment industry but also serves as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of inner strength. Incorporating her story into curriculums can help students unleash their full potential by providing them with invaluable life lessons and an inspiring role model.