Jean Coulter: JAWS 2 45th anniversary interview
The Daily Jaws (TDJ): Hi Jean, thanks for speaking with us and joining the fans in celebrating the 45th anniversary of JAWS 2. So, how did you get into show business?
Jean Coulter (JC): I got into show business by growing up with my father, Russell Menzer, being the head of the art departments of Warner Brother, Fox D., Designer of all Main Streets in Disney lands all over the world.My sister Lori Martin was an actress who's series was National Velvet. They gave me the interests of working in the business. I just needed to find the right job for me and Modeling was not a great job, but doing stuntwork and acting was. So I ended up luckily getting great TV series and movies at the time to work on. I was told that I was the perfect stuntwoman at the time that fit the new actresses. My face could be shot from the side and looked just like Stephanie Powers, Cheryl Ladd, Farrah Fawcett, etc. My face and body type was thin and fit the actresses and I would do the hard stunts. I was not a great actress but was fine for the jobs that included stunt work.
TDJ: Apart from JAWS 2, what else will we have seen you in?
JC: if you look at IMBD site, you can see all the movies and T.V. shows I had the privilege to work on. Such as "The End" with Burt Reynolds , Cujo" James Bond A View To A Kill (which included acting, doubling doing stunts and ND stunts and co coordinator), Airport 77, Charlies Angels, Hart to Hart. Etc.
TDJ: Had you seen the original JAWS before being offered the role in JAWS 2? If so, what did you think?
JC: No I had not seen the original Jaws before I got the part on Jaws 2.
TDJ: How did you get the role of the ski boat driver in JAWS 2?
JC: I was interviewed by Verna Fields, at Universal. I was told there were girls all over the world interviewed approximately 5000.
TDJ: What are your memories of working on that sequence?
JC: My memories of working on jaws 2 could not be better. We stayed in a beautiful hotel on an Island, with pure white sand beaches and aqua colored water. It had 2 pools, one inside, one out, nice rooms, great restaurant with good food, the cast and crew were all so nice to work with. Not alot of stress. I could not wish for a better show to work on.
TDJ: What was it like working with the mechanical shark?
JC. The shark at times did not look real , so u really had to pull deep to get your fear believable on screen. I only took a few acting lessons and I did not feel I could be as good as my actress sister. Other times you found your self feeling the fear if the shark was real. Great job on the shark and the design and the mechanics.
TDJ: What did you think of the finished movie?
JC: I thought Jaws 2 really fulfilled the thoughts of the producers. It was good for all ages, It made people afraid to go into the water.I felt it gave you a full feeling of the shark. It scared you, excited you , made you realize when u went into the water, you better be prepared. All and all I am proud to be in the film. I thought you received your monies worth. It was a good film.
TDJ: Any advice for any one being attacked by a giant shark while driving a ski boat?
JC: Advice for being in or on the waters that have great big fish in them, be prepared. Carry protection. While swimming, surfing, sailing,skiing…. Be prepared!
Jean Coulter was interviewed by Ross Williams
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