Kristin Bauer van Straten
An actress who brought sharp wit and formidable presence to iconic roles, from a centuries-old vampire to a classic fairy tale villain.
Born 1966 (age 60)·American actress·Birthday: November 26·Generation X
Biography
Kristin Bauer van Straten carved a unique niche in television by mastering the art of the formidable, witty woman. While she had early guest spots on shows like 'Seinfeld,' it was her casting as the ancient, acerbic vampire Pamela Swynford De Beaufort on HBO's 'True Blood' that defined her career. Bauer van Straten didn't just play a vampire; she infused Pam with a cutting, dry humor and a fierce loyalty that made her a fan favorite for the series' entire run. She later translated that command of powerful presence into the live-action role of Maleficent on ABC's 'Once Upon a Time,' embracing the character's majestic menace. Beyond these fantasy realms, she is a dedicated animal rights activist, using her platform to advocate for wildlife conservation, reflecting a passion as deep as the characters she portrays.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Kristin was born in 1966, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kristin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1966
#1 Movie
The Bible: In the Beginning
Best Picture
A Man for All Seasons
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Kristin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1966Born
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1971Started school
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1979Became a teenager
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Could drive
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1984Could vote
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Turned 21
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1996Turned 30
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 40
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 50
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 60
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the fan-favorite vampire Pamela Swynford De Beaufort across all seven seasons of HBO's hit series 'True Blood'.
- Played the live-action version of Disney's Maleficent on the ABC television series 'Once Upon a Time'.
- Appeared in a notable guest role as Jerry's girlfriend Gillian on the classic sitcom 'Seinfeld'.
Did You Know?
She is a trained painter and attended the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.
She and her husband, musician Abri van Straten, are passionate advocates for elephant conservation.
Her last name, 'Bauer van Straten', combines her maiden name (Bauer) with her husband's surname.
“I'm drawn to characters who are unapologetically themselves, with a sharp wit and a long memory.”
