Eileen Bowman

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Eileen Bowman
Born
Eileen Josephine Bowman

(1966-05-08) May 8, 1966 (age 59)
La Mesa, California, U.S.
Other namesEileen Sylwestrzak, Eileen Bowman Sylwestrzak
Alma materSt. Martin's Catholic School
OccupationActress
Known forSnow White portrayals at 61st Academy Awards and Beach Blanket Babylon
Notable credits
SpouseMarc Sylwestrzak
ParentJohn Bowman (father)
Awards2012 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female

Eileen Josephine Bowman Sylwestrzak (born (1966-05-08)May 8, 1966) is an American actress who performed as Snow White at the 61st Academy Awards and Beach Blanket Babylon. Bowman starred in productions of End of the Rainbow (2015), Hairspray (2018), Looped (2024) and she won a Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female for Guys and Dolls (2012).

Personal life

[edit]

Bowman was born May 8, 1966 in La Mesa, California.[1][2] She is one of three girls fathered by John Bowman, a former teacher at Ramona High Shool.[2][3][4] Bowman lived in Lakeside, California[3] and attended St. Martin's Catholic grade school. She first portrayed Snow White at San Diego Junior Theatre.[5][6] Bowman later married actor Marc Sylwestrzak.[7][8]

Career

[edit]
Army Archerd rehearsing with Bowman at Shrine Auditorium before the 61st Academy Awards[9]

Bowman's professional acting debut happened when she was 12 at the Old Globe Theatre.[10]

In 1989, Bowman was cast as Snow White by Steve Silver for the Beach Blanket Babylon in Las Vegas.[5][6] Silver requested Bowman to audition for the character in the opening performance of the 61st Academy Awards.[5] According to the Los Angeles Times, Bowman won the part against Pia Zadora, Lorna Luft, Ellen Greene, and Lucy Arnaz[5] but the San Francisco Chronicle reported they all declined the role.[11] She went on to perform alongside Rob Lowe at the event.[12] Bowman later stated her professional career suffered following the performance,[13][14] not discussing details until a 2013 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.[12][15] Bowman reunited with Lowe in 2018 when Lowe was doing a show at the Balboa Theatre.[8]

In 1991, Bowman was cast in a production of Tales of Tinseltown in San Diego.[2] In the 2010s, she starred in several San Diego productions.[16][17][18]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1989 61st Academy Awards Snow White [2]
1991 Writer's Block Young Woman [2]
1992 Killer Tomatoes Eat France Tour Guide [2][19]
1995 Top Dog Female Detective [19][20]
1996 Silk Stalkings Valet Episode: "Family Values"[20]
Renegade Jenny / Desk Clerk 2 episodes[20]
1997 K9.5: The Howlywood Premiere Voice [20]
1998 Pensacola: Wings of Gold Bank Teller Episode: "Game, Set and Match"[20]
2017 The Fabulous Allan Carr Self
2019 Inside Edition Self Episode: "Snow White Oscars' Moment"
2025 San Diego Film Awards Self Co-hosted with spouse[21]
Daddy Help! Mommy's in Prison! Edith Baron ReelShort series[22]
The Boy I Hate Mrs. Montgomery ReelShort series
Pregnant by My Ex's Professor Dad Dean Hearst

Stage credits

[edit]
Year Title Role Location Notes
1977 Bye Bye Birdie Parkway Junior High School, La Mesa, California [23]
1978 The Enchanted Young girl Cassius Carter Center Stage, Balboa Park, San Diego [24]
1984 The Great Pretender Shana Old Town Opera House [25]
1991 Tales of Tinseltown Ellie Ash Hahn Cosmopolitan, Downtown San Diego [2]
1992 Dames at Sea Ruby Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [26]
Rockn' 50's Springs Theatre, Palm Springs Convention Center [27]
1993 Reunion Hahn Cosmopolitan, Downtown San Diego [28][4]
1994 Animal Crackers Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [29][4]
1995 Singin' in the Rain Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [30]
1996 Mame Agnes Gooch Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [31]
1997 The Importance of Being Earnest Cecily Vantage Theatre, La Jolla, California [32]
The Music Man Marian Starlight Musical Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego [33]
Singin' in the Rain Lina Starlight Musical Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego [34]
1998 Brigadoon Fiona Starlight Musical Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego [35]
A Little Night Music Anne Casa del Prado Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego [36]
1999 My Fair Lady Eliza Doolittle Starlight Musical Theatre, Balboa Park, San Diego [3][37]
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Old Globe Theatre
2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Old Globe Theatre
2003 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Grandma Who Old Globe Theatre [38]
2005 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Old Globe Theatre
2007 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Grandma Who Old Globe Theatre [39]
2008 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Grandma Who Old Globe Theatre
2009 Ruthless! Judy Denmark Broadway Theatre, Vista, California [40]
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Grandma Who Old Globe Theatre
2010 Footloose Ethel Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [41]
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Grandma Who Old Globe Theatre
2011 Spring Awakening Coronado Performing Arts Center, Coronado, California [42]
Barbra's Wedding Molly Schiff Broadway Theatre, Vista, California By Daniel Stern[43]
Mame Agnes Gooch Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre, North Park, San Diego [44]
2012 2 Across: A Comedy of Crosswords and Romance Janet Broadway Theatre, Vista, California By Jerry Mayer, co-starred with spouse[45]
Guys and Dolls Adalaide Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California [16][46]
Joe Versus the Volcano DeDe Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California [47][16][48]
2013 Pete 'n' Keely Keely Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California [12][16]
Company Amy Cygnet Theatre Company [49]
Hairspray Velma Von Tussle Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [50]
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Grandma Who Old Globe Theatre [51]
2014 The Odd Couple Cecily Pigeon Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [52]
Ruthless! Judy Denmark / Ginger Del Marco The Moss Theatre at New Roads School, Santa Monica, California [53]
2015 You Can't Take It with You Gay Wellington / Olga Katrina Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California [54][55]
End of the Rainbow Judy Garland Intrepid Theatre, Encinitas, California [17][56]
2016 The Addams Family: A New Musical Alice Beineke Moonlight Amphitheatre, Vista, California [57]
The Doyle and Debbie Show Debbie Broadway Theatre, Vista, California [58]
Ruthless! Judy Denmark Moxie Theatre, San Diego [59]
2017 On the 20th Century Mildred Plotka / Lily Garland Cygnet Theatre Company [10]
2018 Hairspray Velma Von Tussle Horton Grand Theatre, San Diego [18]
2019 Menopause The Musical Soap Star Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [60][61]
Road Show Off Broadway Live, Santee, California [10]
2020 Alice Red Queen Lamb's Players Theatre, Coronado, California [62]
2021 Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge Mrs. Emily Cratchit Moxie Theatre, San Diego [63]
2022 Nunsense Sister Mary Amnesia Welk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California [64][65]
Cinderella Madame Moonlight Amphitheatre, Vista, California [66]
A Christmas Carol Various Cygnet Theatre Company [67]
2023 A Christmas Carol Mrs. Emily Cratchit Cygnet Theatre Company [68]
2024 Tootsie Rita Marshall Moonlight Amphitheatre, Vista, California [69]
Looped Tallulah Bankhead The Roustabouts at the Legler Benbough Theatre, Alliant International University [70]
A Christmas Carol Mrs. Emily Cratchit Cygnet Theatre Company [71]
2025 Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Masha Cygnet Theatre Company [72]
A Christmas Carol Mrs. Emily Cratchit Joseph Clayes III Theater in The Joan, Liberty Station, San Diego [73]

Accolades

[edit]
Festival / Event Year Title Award Result Ref.
San Diego Critics Circle 2012 Guys and Dolls Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical, Female Won [74][17]
2013 Pete 'n' Keely Nominated [75]
2025 Looped Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play Nominated [76]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Eileen Bowman - In Biographical Summaries of Notable People". MyHeritage. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Godfrey, John (1991-05-28). "Learning the Hard Way : Stage: Following her controversial portrayal of Snow White on the Academy Awards, La Mesa's Eileen Bowman found she had to grow up fast to survive in Hollywood. Now she's landed a prime part in 'Tales of Tinseltown.'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  3. ^ a b c "His Fair Lady". Ramona Sentinel. 1999-07-29. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c "Peace Corps volunteer lands long way from beach". Daily Times-Advocate. 1994-03-08. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d "A real Cinderella story for 'Snow White'". The Mercury. 1989-04-09. p. 34. Retrieved 2025-11-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Snow White's never seen flick". The Bulletin. 1989-04-07. p. 12. Retrieved 2025-11-30 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "THEATER FEATURE: Late actor inspired Broadway Theatre's choice of '2 Across'". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  8. ^ a b Hebert, James (2018-10-16). "Three decades after a famous Oscars moment, Rob Lowe and San Diego's own Eileen Bowman meet again". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  9. ^ "A look back at the 'debacle' of 1989's hostless Oscars". 2019-02-13. pp. BBC. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  10. ^ a b c "8 San Diego Actors Share What Makes the Local Theater Scene Unique". San Diego Magazine. 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  11. ^ "Test your Oscar trivia memory". San Francisco Chronicle. 1993-03-28. p. 38. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b c Abramovitch, Seth (2013-02-20). ""I Was Rob Lowe's Snow White": The Untold Story of Oscar's Nightmare Opening". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  13. ^ Williams, Nathan (2025-03-01). "The Oscars Might Be Hours Too Long These Days, But It'll Never Be Worse Than 1989". MovieWeb. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  14. ^ Bravo, Tony (2024-03-02). "Notorious 'Snow White Oscars' of 1989 captured spirit of S.F." San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  15. ^ "The mortifying night that nearly killed the Oscars". The Independent. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  16. ^ a b c d "Comedy spotlights dueling duo". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  17. ^ a b c "'End of the Rainbow' promises sincere, sober look at Garland late in career". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  18. ^ a b "REVIEW: Energetic, talented cast gives substance to 'Hairspray'". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2018-08-15. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  19. ^ a b Puchko, Kristy (2013-02-20). "The Actress Whose Career Was Killed By The Oscars Speaks Out". Cinemablend. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  20. ^ a b c d e "Eileen Bowman". TV Guide. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  21. ^ Robinson, Jennifer (2025-06-27). "San Diego Film Awards 2025". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  22. ^ Freedman, Gaya (2025-07-11). "First Look At Daddy Help Mommy's in Prison Actors & Their Exciting Roles". ReelShort. Retrieved 2025-12-07.
  23. ^ "50s musical staged at junior high". Life News. 1977-11-16. p. 20. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "'The Enchanted' opening at Balboa Park stage". Daily Times-Advocate. 1978-11-20. p. 16. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ Stevens, Lianne (1984-10-11). "`Pretender' hints new theater direction". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Proquest.
  26. ^ "Musical celebrates earlier, innocent times". The Californian. 1992-08-28. p. 59. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "'Rock'n 50's' musical revue begins Nov. 27". Palm Desert Post. 1992-11-11. p. 26. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Fast-paced musical showcases Ramonan". Ramona Sentinel. 1994-03-31. p. 13. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Laughter and mayhem: Crazy zntics of Marx brothers' play, 'Animal Crackers,' takes to the stage". The Californian. 1994-04-04. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Singin' in the Rain is worth every minute of time spent seeing". The Fallbrook/Bonsall Enterprise. 1995-04-27. p. 29. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "'Mame' star measures up to perfection of character". North County Times. 1996-10-04. p. 80. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Earnest's fiances". The Star-News. 1997-03-22. p. 12. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Starlight, off to slow start, moves ahead fabulously with 'Music Man'". North County Times. 1997-08-01. p. 85. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Starlight presents rousing, solid rendition of 'Singin' in the Rain'". North County Times. 1997-08-22. p. 89. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "'Brigadoon' pleases despite directing shortcomings". North County Times. 1998-03-06. p. 74. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "North County actors add spice to SDCO's 'Night Music'". North County Times. 1998-09-25. p. 84. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Starlight offers enjoyable, if subdued, 'My Fair Lady'". North County Times. 1999-08-06. p. 93. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "Globe's 'Grinch' returns for sixth year with new lead actor". North County Times. 2003-11-06. p. 85. Retrieved 2025-12-02 – via Newspapers.com.
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  40. ^ "THEATER REVIEW: Leading ladies make 'Ruthless' worth a visit". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2009-10-14. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  41. ^ "Welk's 'Footloose' is high energy entertainment – San Diego Jewish World". San Diego Jewish World. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  42. ^ "Spring Awakening at San Diego Actors Conservatory Theatre". San Diego Reader. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  43. ^ "Streisand wedding inspired Broadway Theatre's new comedy". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2025-12-02.
  44. ^ "Carmel Valley performer ready to tackle next role in 'Mame'". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2011-09-15. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
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  46. ^ "Play review: 'Guys' falters, flies". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2012-02-13. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
  47. ^ "THEATER REVIEW: Lamb's 'Volcano' musical doesn't scale comedic heights". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
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  56. ^ "Eileen Bowman's superb Judy Garland stands out amid excellent performances". San Diego Reader. 2015-11-11. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  57. ^ "'Addams Family' Sings a Dark, Quirky Side of Love and Family". Times of San Diego. 2016-09-28. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  58. ^ "Country Cute 'n Crude: 'Doyle and Debbie Show' in Vista". Times of San Diego. 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  59. ^ "A high-spirited, campy 'Ruthless!' lands at Moxie". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2016-07-18. Retrieved 2025-11-30.
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  67. ^ "New Scrooge brings a fresh new feel to Cygnet Theatre's long-running 'Christmas Carol'". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
  68. ^ ""A Christmas Carol" Returns to Cygnet Theatre". Presidio Sentinel. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
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