Dominique Ellen Dunne was born in Santa Monica, California, to Ellen Beatriz Griffin Dunne and Dominick Dunne, a multifaceted creative individual with experience in production, acting, and writing. Her brother, Griffin Dunne, was also an actor. Following her parents' divorce, Dominique relocated first to New York and subsequently to Beverly Hills.
Upon completing high school, Dominique enrolled at the University of Colorado to pursue a degree in acting, but she left after a single year to focus on her burgeoning career. Just three weeks after arriving in Hollywood, she landed her first acting role. This initial success was followed by a string of notable performances, including her portrayal of Dana Freeling in the iconic 1982 film Poltergeist, which solidified her status in the Hollywood social scene.
Well-liked by all who knew her, Dominique appeared to be living her best life. However, her relationship with John Thomas Sweeney, the chef at the popular LA nightspot "MaMaison," took a tumultuous turn. Sweeney's behavior became increasingly uncontrollable and abusive, with Dominique describing his actions as so severe that she did not require makeup to portray an abuse victim on the TV series Hill Street Blues in 1981.
On October 30, 1982, Dominique ended the toxic relationship, but that same night, Sweeney, still distraught, appeared at her home where she and actor David Packer were rehearsing a scene from the 1983 miniseries V. He dragged her outside and strangled her, leaving her brain-dead. Five days later, she was removed from life support and passed away, tragically cutting short a promising acting career and leaving behind a trail of shocked and outraged loved ones.
