Deborah Reed Biography: Troll 2’s Goblin Queen

Deborah Reed Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Deborah Claire Hansen Reed-Holman
Born	October 29, 1950
Birthplace	Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Died	November 18, 2023
Age at Death	73
Profession	Actress, Model, Makeup Artist, Writer, Educator
Best Known For	Creedence Leonore Gielgud in Troll 2
Film	Troll 2 (1990)
Other Work	Television commercials, theater, writing, production
Former Profession	Executive Assistant to Congressman Merrill Cook
Husband	Randy Holman
Children	Gavin Reed and Remington Reed
Cause of Death	Complications from cancer
Known For	Troll 2 and creative work

Deborah Reed was an American actress, model, makeup artist, writer, educator, and creative professional best known for playing Creedence Leonore Gielgud, the Goblin Queen, in the 1990 fantasy horror-comedy film Troll 2.

Although Troll 2 received little attention when it was first released, the movie eventually developed a dedicated cult following. Reed’s energetic performance as the Goblin Queen became one of the most recognizable parts of the film.

Her career, however, went far beyond one movie. Reed worked as a print model, makeup artist, actor, children’s instructor, writer, producer, and artist. She also worked for several years as an executive assistant to U.S. Congressman Merrill Cook.

Later in life, she remained connected with Troll 2 fans while developing creative projects, writing children’s stories, supporting animal adoption, and working on environmental causes.

Deborah Reed died on November 18, 2023, at the age of 73. Her career and personality left a lasting impression on fans of the cult film.

Who Was Deborah Reed?

Deborah Reed was an American actress and creative professional whose best-known role was Creedence Leonore Gielgud in Troll 2.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1950, Reed developed an interest in performing from an early age. After her family moved to Washington state, she became involved in musical theater and also explored writing and directing.

Her professional life later expanded into modeling, makeup artistry, acting, teaching, political work, production, and writing.

Reed’s own biography described her as someone who wore many professional “hats.” Her work reflected that variety, with interests ranging from entertainment and children’s education to art and animal advocacy.

Deborah Reed’s Early Life

Deborah Claire Hansen was born on October 29, 1950, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

According to her obituary, her parents were Leo Hansen and Barbara Groo. When Reed was five years old, her family moved from Utah to Lafayette, California. Later, in 1970, the family moved to Spokane, Washington.

Her interest in entertainment began early.

While living in Spokane, Reed became involved in musical theater productions, including Oliver and Hello, Dolly!. She also developed an interest in writing and directing for the stage.

Those early experiences helped establish the creative side of her personality that remained important throughout her life.

Deborah Reed’s Career in Modeling and Makeup

In 1980, Deborah Reed joined the McCarty Agency.

Over the following two decades, she worked in several areas of the entertainment and advertising industries. Her work included print modeling, makeup artistry, acting, and appearances in television commercials. Her obituary states that she worked in hundreds of television advertisements during this period.

Reed also became interested in helping young people who wanted to enter the entertainment industry.

For approximately 15 years, she taught classes focused on confidence, self-esteem, positive thinking, and skills useful to children interested in performing.

This teaching work became another important part of her professional identity.

Deborah Reed’s Role in Troll 2

Deborah Reed’s most recognizable acting role came with Troll 2.

Released in 1990, the film was directed by Italian filmmaker Claudio Fragasso and became famous years later for its unusual story, dialogue, and performances.

Reed played Creedence Leonore Gielgud, the Queen of the Goblins.

She was cast in the role in 1989. According to biographical accounts, Reed embraced the exaggerated nature of the character during her audition. Her performance became one of the film’s most memorable elements.

The movie’s reputation changed significantly over time.

While it was not initially considered a major success, Troll 2 eventually became a cult favorite. Reed’s performance helped make the Goblin Queen a memorable figure among horror and cult-film fans.

Deborah Reed and the Legacy of Troll 2

The lasting popularity of Troll 2 gave Reed an unusual connection with movie fans.

She remained approachable to people who discovered the film years after its release. Her own website described her as being best known for Creedence Leonore Gielgud and highlighted the continuing fan interest in the character.

Reed also participated in fan-related projects connected with the movie.

According to IMDb, she was invited several times to appear in the documentary Best Worst Movie, which examined the unusual legacy of Troll 2. Although she did not participate in the main documentary in the way some other cast members did, she appeared in bonus material.

Her relationship with fans became an important part of her later public identity.

Deborah Reed’s Work Outside Acting

Acting was only one part of Deborah Reed’s career.

She worked in print modeling, makeup, theater, writing, art, production, and education. Her personal biography lists a wide range of roles, including writer, illustrator, producer, director, actor, professional model, makeup artist, children’s instructor, motivational speaker, artist, jewelry designer, and animal advocate.

This variety made her career different from that of an actress who worked only in film and television.

Reed used her creative skills in many areas and continued developing new projects throughout her life.

Deborah Reed’s Political and Public-Service Work

Between 1997 and 2000, Deborah Reed took a break from the entertainment industry to work as an executive assistant to U.S. Congressman Merrill Cook.

Her work in Cook’s office included several areas of public interest, including youth, disabilities, arts and humanities, and heritage projects.

One of her notable responsibilities was helping lead the Bicentennial Local Legacies project, which documented Utah’s Native American heritage through multimedia material.

She also helped produce and co-host The Merrill Cook Show, a radio program associated with the congressman’s office.

This period showed another side of Reed’s professional life beyond acting and entertainment.

Deborah Reed’s Production Work

Later in her career, Reed became involved in television and independent production.

She married radio personality Randy Holman, and the couple eventually established a multimedia production company called On Fire Productions.

Together, they worked on the television series It’s All About Homes as hosts and producers. They also produced documentaries and television commercials for clients.

The production work allowed Reed to combine several of her interests, including television, media, writing, and creative development.

Deborah Reed’s Writing and Creative Work

Writing became increasingly important to Reed during the later part of her life.

She worked on children’s stories and other creative projects. IMDb notes that by 2016 she was focused on children’s picture books and a middle-grade novel.

Her creative interests were not limited to writing.

She also worked in fine-art painting, trompe-l’œil murals, jewelry design, and other artistic projects. These activities reflected the broad creative interests that had characterized her career for decades.

Deborah Reed’s Family and Children

Deborah Reed was a mother of two sons, Gavin Reed and Remington Reed.

Her obituary identifies Gavin as an artist and animator and Remington as a software engineer. The brothers were also associated with the company Hey Bud Games.

Family remained an important part of Reed’s life.

Her obituary also noted her role as a grandmother and described the importance of her children, grandchildren, family, and pets.

Deborah Reed and Randy Holman

Deborah Reed was married to radio personality Randy Holman.

The couple worked together professionally as well as personally. They formed On Fire Productions and worked on It’s All About Homes.

Their partnership continued until Holman’s death from cancer in 2012.

After his death, Reed continued her creative and advocacy work.

Deborah Reed’s Animal Advocacy

In her later years, Reed became involved in animal advocacy and shelter-animal awareness.

She used her online presence to promote adoption stories and encourage attention toward animals in shelters.

Her creative work and sense of humor also remained visible through her writing and social media activity.

This became another part of the legacy she developed beyond her role in Troll 2.

Deborah Reed’s Health and Death

Deborah Reed was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2017.

Her condition later progressed to Richter’s syndrome, a serious transformation of CLL into an aggressive form of lymphoma.

Reed died on November 18, 2023, at her home in Bountiful, Utah. She was 73 years old. Her obituary states that she was surrounded by her children when she died.

News of her death was widely shared among fans of Troll 2, particularly those who remembered her performance as the Goblin Queen.

Deborah Reed’s Legacy

Deborah Reed’s legacy extends beyond her single major film role.

For many movie fans, she will always be remembered as Creedence Leonore Gielgud from Troll 2. The movie’s cult status introduced her performance to new generations long after its original release.

But Reed’s life also included modeling, makeup artistry, teaching, political work, television production, writing, art, and animal advocacy.

Her ability to connect with fans also became part of her legacy. She continued communicating with people who admired her Troll 2 performance and used her public presence to promote other interests.

Her story shows how a performer can become associated with one memorable role while building a much broader life outside the screen.

Deborah Reed’s Net Worth

Deborah Reed’s exact net worth was not publicly established by authoritative financial sources.

She worked in several professions during her lifetime, including modeling, acting, makeup, teaching, production, and writing.

However, there is not enough reliable financial information to provide an exact figure for her wealth.

Online estimates should therefore be treated cautiously because they are generally not supported by verified financial records.

Why Was Deborah Reed Famous?

Deborah Reed was best known for playing Creedence Leonore Gielgud, the Goblin Queen, in Troll 2.

The film eventually became a cult classic, and Reed’s exaggerated performance became one of its most recognizable features.

She was also known for her work as a model, makeup artist, educator, writer, producer, and artist.

Her career outside Troll 2 was considerably broader than her filmography alone suggests.

Final Thoughts on Deborah Reed

Deborah Reed built a diverse creative career that went far beyond her best-known role in Troll 2.

She began developing her interest in performance through theater before working as a model, makeup artist, actor, and children’s instructor. Her portrayal of Creedence Leonore Gielgud made her a lasting part of cult-film history.

Later, Reed worked in public service, television production, writing, art, and animal advocacy. She also remained connected with the fans who continued to celebrate Troll 2 decades after its release.

Reed died in 2023 at the age of 73 after complications from cancer. While many people remember her as the Goblin Queen, her life included many other creative and professional achievements.

Her story remains a good example of how one memorable screen role can become part of a much larger and varied life.

FAQs About Deborah Reed

Who was Deborah Reed?

Deborah Reed was an American actress, model, makeup artist, writer, educator, and producer best known for playing the Goblin Queen in Troll 2.

What character did Deborah Reed play in Troll 2?

She played Creedence Leonore Gielgud, the Goblin Queen of Nilbog.

When was Deborah Reed born?

Deborah Reed was born on October 29, 1950, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

When did Deborah Reed die?

She died on November 18, 2023, at the age of 73.

What was Deborah Reed’s cause of death?

Reed died from complications of cancer. She had been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2017, which later progressed to Richter’s syndrome.

What other work did Deborah Reed do?

She worked as a print model, makeup artist, actor, children’s instructor, writer, producer, artist, and executive assistant to Congressman Merrill Cook.

Was Deborah Reed in Best Worst Movie?

She did not appear as a main participant in the documentary in the same way as some other Troll 2 cast members, but IMDb notes that she appeared in bonus material associated with the film.

Who was Deborah Reed’s husband?

Deborah Reed was married to radio personality Randy Holman, who died from cancer in 2012.

Did Deborah Reed have children?

Yes. She had two sons, Gavin Reed and Remington Reed.

Why is Deborah Reed remembered today?

She is remembered primarily for her role as the Goblin Queen in Troll 2, but her wider career included modeling, makeup, teaching, writing, television production, public service, and animal advocacy.