Sandra Knight's life is a testament to her multifaceted talents and dedication to her craft. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was relocated to Los Angeles at a young age, where she began performing as a child, showcasing her skills in singing, dancing, acting, and modeling.
Her early professional performances included leading her group, the "String Busters," as the lead singer, playing the ukulele, with her backup on guitar and steel guitar, when she was just nine years old. After high school, she continued to perform while attending Santa Monica City College, participating in the renowned "Children's Theater," a pioneering initiative that toured schools and brought local talent to the community.
Sandra's talent was soon spotted by an agent from Hollywood during a talent show, where she sang "The Last Time I Saw Paris." This led to her signing with a major agency and, within a few months, starring in the lead role of the comedy "The Moon is Blue" at a Hollywood theater.
Her breakthrough role came when she was cast opposite Robert Mitchum in the independent film production of Thunder Road (1958),after a major talent search that involved interviewing over 300 young women. This role earned her contracts from major studios, including 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and Columbia.
Throughout her career, Sandra has starred in five feature films and over 35 television shows, working alongside renowned actors such as Vincent Price, Rod Cameron, Boris Karloff, Dale Robertson, Bette Davis, Jack Nicholson, and John Astin. She has also had the privilege of collaborating with acclaimed directors like Richard Donner, Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Ripley, Tay Garnett, Roger Corman, and Irvin Kershner.
In addition to her acting career, Sandra has pursued her passion for art, studying philosophy, painting, and writing at UCLA, LACC, and Otis Art Institute. She continued to hone her painting skills privately and in small classes with renowned American Impressionist Helen Winslow, and maintained her interest in art for eight years.
In the 1980s, Sandra co-wrote her first screenplay, "King City," with her husband John Stephenson, and established a production company, "Synergy Production." She went on to write several screenplays, including "Loving on the Wrong Side of the Brain," "The Contest," "A Question Of Balance," and "The Listening Lady." She has also written numerous children's stories, such as "The Coconut Tree" and "The Secret of the Rain Forest," as well as the play "Pagoda Hangout."
Sandra has been an active member of the Hawaii International Film Festival, serving on its Board of Directors, and is affiliated with the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Contemporary Museum of Art, and the Honolulu Symphony. She has played a significant role in bringing talent and contributors from Hollywood and New York to participate in cultural events in Hawaii, including the Hawaii International Film Festival, the Contemporary Museum of Art, and other state-wide initiatives.
