Phil Spector Charged with Murder - Page 2

Spector, a reclusive eccentric with a fondness for guns, allegedly killed Lana Clarkson with a single shot after they returned to his 33-room mock castle in the Los Angeles suburb of Alhambra from the House of Blues early on Monday morning, sources close to the case told Reuters.

Tall, blonde, beautiful and curvaceous, Clarkson was Hollywood dream material, but it didn't turn out that way - the best she could do was become "Barbarian Queen":

She was discovered by B-movie king Roger Corman and starred in a series of films that made her a semi-cult figure. She played a super-heroine called "Barbarian Queen," a character Corman said was the model for TV's "Xena: Warrior Princess."

"Lana was a beautiful woman, a wonderful actress, and an adventurous spirit," Corman said Tuesday in a statement. "Always brave, she performed all of her own stunts, and showed unusual fortitude and athleticism in her horseback riding and fight sequences."

Clarkson had her own Web site and a company called Living Doll Productions. She also had appeared in many commercials and often made personal appearances. As "Barbarian Queen," she appeared at comic book and pop culture conventions.

Even so, she lived in a small house in Venice:

Three flower bouquets and a burning candle were at the doorstep Tuesday of Clarkson's modest one-story house along the canals in the Venice area of Los Angeles. Several cactus plants and a statue of an angel decorated the porch.

"The Clarkson family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Lana's extended family, friends and fans for the outpouring of love and support that they have shown during this extremely difficult time," her family said in a statement released Tuesday night.

The full statement, photo galleries, a filmography, bio, and most poignant, photos from her January appearance at the "Vamps/Monsters Among Us Convention," where she appeared at the Golden Apple Comics booth are all at her website. She is seen brandishing swords and posing with the civilians. There are also photos or her appearance at last year's Grammys - she won't make it this year.

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Here is a recreation of the events of that night:

Police are piecing together how a quiet night out led to Lana Clarkson being shot in the face at Phil Spector's pad at 5AM Monday morning:

In the hours before he allegedly killed a woman in his hilltop mansion, record producer Phil Spector visited a music club, had a post-midnight snack and left a $500 tip on a $55 tab — none of which seems to have been particularly out of the ordinary, according to those who saw him.

"He is always very generous with the help," said Dan Tana, whose West Hollywood restaurant has long been a popular hangout for celebrities. Tana said Spector turned up between 12:30 and 1 a.m. Monday, had a quiet meal with another woman and left at 2 a.m. after shelling out the over-the-top gratuity.

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Article Author: Eric Olsen

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