Janit Baldwin's acting career, though brief, left a lasting impression on the industry. Born in 1955, she was raised by her actress mother, Dona Baldwin, in Kansas City. At just 17 years old, Janit made her film debut in Michael Ritchie's Prime Cut (1972),showcasing her early talent.
She then went on to appear in a variety of films, including Claudia Jennings' sweet younger sister in the drive-in exploitation classic Gator Bait (1973),a groupie in Brian De Palma's horror rock satire Phantom of the Paradise (1974),and a hardened juvenile delinquent in the made-for-TV teenage girls-in-prison feature Born Innocent (1974).
Janit also played Piper Laurie's mute daughter who becomes possessed by the vengeful spirit of a vicious gangster in Curtis Harrington's horror outing Ruby (1977). In addition to her film work, she made guest appearances on several television programs, including Baretta (1975),Gunsmoke (1955),Hawaii Five-O (1968),The Waltons (1972),and Emergency! (1972).
Before transitioning to a career in fashion design, Janit also acted in stage plays and television commercials. Her portrayal of a spunky young lady in the slasher item Humongous (1982) earned her praise, and she eventually quit acting to pursue her passion for fashion.
