You probably know her as the stoic, slightly weary blonde from the early seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County. She was the one dealing with a crumbling marriage to a former MLB star while trying to keep her kids from losing their minds on camera. But before the gates of Coto de Caza became her primary backdrop, Jeana Keough had a career that sounds like a fever dream of 1980s pop culture. We are talking about the woman who basically defined the "cool girl" aesthetic of the MTV era.
Honestly, the jeana keough movies and tv shows list is a wild ride through cult cinema and music history. She wasn't just a "housewife." She was a Playboy Playmate, a muse for iconic artist Patrick Nagel, and one-third of the most famous trio in music video history.
The ZZ Top Era and the "Eliminator" Girls
If you grew up with a television in 1983, you saw Jeana Keough. You just might not have known it was her. She was one of the three "Eliminator Girls" who stepped out of that high-gloss red 1933 Ford Coupe in ZZ Top’s music videos.
It wasn't just a gig; it was a cultural reset. Alongside Danièle Arnaud and Kymberly Herrin, Jeana appeared in the videos for "Gimme All Your Lovin’," "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Legs." These weren't your typical low-budget 80s clips. They were cinematic. Jeana played the mysterious, empowering figure who would show up to help a down-on-their-luck protagonist get some revenge or a confidence boost.
That leggy, mysterious persona wasn't an accident. In November 1980, she was the Playboy Playmate of the Month. That title opened doors in Hollywood that led to a string of appearances in some of the most "80s" movies imaginable.
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From Mel Brooks to Cult Horror
Jeana Keough’s filmography is surprisingly dense with character roles and "blink-and-you’ll-miss-it" cameos that have since become trivia gold. For instance, did you know she was a Vestal Virgin in Mel Brooks’ History of the World, Part I? It’s a tiny role, but being part of a Brooks ensemble is a badge of honor for any working actress in that era.
Her 80s Movie Highlights:
- The Beach Girls (1982): She played Ducky. This was a classic "summer romp" movie that is exactly what you think it is.
- 10 to Midnight (1983): Jeana shared the screen with Charles Bronson. She played Karen, and if you know Bronson movies, you know they were gritty, dark, and quintessential 80s crime thrillers.
- Looker (1981): A sci-fi cult classic written and directed by Michael Crichton. She played Suzy.
- Up the Creek (1984): Another raunchy comedy where she played Molly. This was the peak of the "college competition" movie genre.
She also popped up in Six Pack (1982) with Kenny Rogers and the weirdly titled Lovely But Deadly. It’s a resume that reflects the Hollywood hustle of a young woman who was constantly working. She wasn't winning Oscars, but she was deeply embedded in the fabric of the industry.
Jeana Keough Movies and TV Shows: The Small Screen Shift
Before reality TV was even a concept, Jeana was a regular guest on the biggest scripted shows of the decade. She did the rounds. You can spot her in The A-Team (1984) as Denise and in Cheers (1985) as Becky. She even had a stint on the medical drama St. Elsewhere.
Basically, she was the quintessential guest star.
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But then, things changed. She married Matt Keough, had three kids—Shane, Kara, and Colton—and the Hollywood life took a backseat to real estate and suburban Orange County life. That is, until 2006.
The RHOC Revolution
When Bravo launched The Real Housewives of Orange County, they didn't know they were starting a multi-billion dollar franchise. Jeana was the "OG." She was the one who felt the most grounded, mostly because she was actually working as a real estate agent while filming.
Her time on jeana keough movies and tv shows shifted from scripted roles to "Self." Between 2006 and 2009, she was a series regular. We watched her navigate a very public and painful separation from Matt, the stress of her kids' burgeoning careers, and that infamous wine-toss moment from Tamra Judge.
She eventually left the main cast after Season 5, though she’s popped back in for cameos over the years. Why did she leave? It's kind of a mix of things. The show was getting more aggressive, and Jeana always seemed a bit too "real" for the manufactured drama that started to take over. She’s gone on record saying the environment became toxic, and honestly, can you blame her?
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Life After the Cameras
Today, Jeana is still a powerhouse in the Orange County real estate market. She didn't just play an agent on TV; she actually does the work. While she’s mostly retired from the "acting" side of things, her legacy as a 1980s icon is set in stone.
If you’re looking to revisit her work, start with the ZZ Top videos. They are the purest distillation of her "it girl" energy. Then, if you’re feeling adventurous, find a copy of The Beach Girls for a dose of pure nostalgia.
To see the real Jeana, the one who paved the way for every reality star that followed, you have to go back to the first three seasons of RHOC. She was the bridge between the old-school Hollywood glamour and the modern era of "famous for being yourself."
If you want to track down her specific episodes in 80s classics, your best bet is checking streaming platforms like Tubi or Pluto TV, which tend to house those cult favorites. You can also find her early Bravo seasons on Peacock to see where the modern Housewives legend actually began.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check out the "Legs" music video on YouTube: It is the best way to see why Jeana was such a massive deal in the 80s.
- Stream Season 1 of RHOC on Peacock: Witness the birth of reality TV as we know it and see Jeana’s "OG" status in action.
- Browse her IMDB for guest spots: If you're a fan of The A-Team or Cheers, keep an eye out for her next time you do a rewatch.