Andra Akers
Nude

Blonde, with hair big as all tarnation, Andra Akers made a career out of playing the quirky sidekick, the foil, the shill. Andra’s genius consisted of being the utility actress whose crucial but small performances buttressed the reality of the star’s character. Beginning in the farcical Murder a la Mod (1968), Akers went on to provide pivotal support to such successful features as The Wedding Party (1969), Moment by Moment (1978) and Odd Jobs (1984). The work provided much of its own reward. Andra’s father was United States Ambassador to New Zealand during the Kennedy administration, and his daughter followed his example, devoting herself to public service after her stage and screen career had run its course. Sadly, Andra passed away in 2002 before the world had a chance to express its appreciation for a critical job well done.