Mitzi Kapture Biography

Mitzi Gaynor Donahue (born May 2, 1962 in Yorba Linda, Orange County, California) is an American actress, also credited and more popularly known as Mitzi Kapture.

Kapture began her career in films before becoming an international television star. She gained international exposure with her first major television series regular role as Sergeant Rita Lee Lance in the television series Silk Stalkings. Silk Stalkings premiered on CBS and USA but later moved soley to USA Network. "Silk" aired for 8 seasons and became USA network's highest rated original drama series. Kapture's role as Rita, the other half of the two "Sams" for almost 5 years, cemented her respectability as an actor. Paired with Rob Estes who played Sergeant Chris Lorenzo, Kapture gained global recognition along with her costar since the show was broadcast in many countries. They were nicknamed the "dynamic duo" by fans. The show featured many notable guest stars including Ben Vareen, Stephen Cannell, and George Hamilton. Kapture garnered much praise for her strong portrayal of the character who was a role model for many young women. Sergeant Lance eventually became Lieutenant Lance by the time Kapture left the series in 1995 to have her first daughter of two. Her departure from the series together with that of co-star Rob Estes left many fans protesting. During her time with the series, Kapture also sat in the director's chair.

After a 4 month hiatus from the screen following her exit from Silk Stalkings, Kapture returned in 1996 to star in two MOW's for USA Network. She played lead roles in USA Pictures Originals telemovies, Perfect Crime (based on a true story, also called Hide and Seek: The Joanne Jensen Story), which also starred Jasmine Guy and His Bodyguard with Robert Guillaume. She has starred in film projects, theatre productions and many television guest appearances.

Kapture returned to series television in a lead role on Baywatch as Alexis Ryker, helping to boost the show's ratings from 2.8 to 4.2.  Kapture was brought on the show as a verbal sparing partner for David Hasselhoff.

From 2002 through 2004 she played the seductive Anita Hodges on The Young and the Restless, credited as Mitzi Kapture Donahue.  She also starred in the made-for-TV movie Night of Terror which premiered March 26, 2007 on Lifetime Network. In her latest film she played the role of an therapist specializing in Autism in the critically acclaimed  independent feature God's Ears, released in 2008.  Mitzi guest starred on the sitcom Rules of Engagement getting a chance to show off her comedy chops.

More currently, Mitzi created and is producing and directing a series of documentaries called The Process.   

Sources

• UCLA (2004) David Koepp Honored With Distinguished Achievement in Screenwriting Award by UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Retrieved November 29, 2004
• TVGEN (1998) Online Chat Transcript at Classic Silk Stalkings website Retrieved November 29, 2004