Lisa Coppenolle

Lisa Coppenolle was born in 1958 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Known as a successful actress in the years 1983-1985, an entrepreneur, and children's health advocate. An unfortunate childhood provided Lisa with energy and strength to live an accomplished life. Early morning hours and willingness to work started at the age of 4 for Lisa. Her great grandfather Pipi Forton taught her how to select raspberries and flowers on their farm and how to sell with him on the side of the road to help her great grandparents save their farm in Traverse City, Michigan. She was 5 and already learning sales skills. Lisa started selling stationary and greeting cards door to door at age 12. She quickly learned the value of working long hours. A manager of Grosse Pointe Jacobson's department store discovered Lisa and asked her to model at age 14. In 1974 she was president of her class at Bishop Gallagher and already began giving back to her community by volunteering to help and motivate mentally handicapped children with special needs. She earned a Congressional Medal of Merit from President Gerald Ford upon high school graduation in 1976. Her life was tough by anyone's standards. She left home in 1976 and rented a 2 seater sofa to sleep on in a closet. Her second residence was in an attic with no heat or A/C. Lisa stayed warm with newspapers and magazines as blankets. While working 3 jobs, she began entering and winning pageants and modeling for auto shows. She saved enough money to purchase a yellow mustang. J.L. Hudson and Jacobson department stores, car shows, Chris Craft Boat Shows and pageants created her sense of confidence. She was offered a modeling career with Burdines department stores in S.E. Florida and decided to move to warmer weather. The owner/manufacturer of Chris Craft Boats and Donzi Power Boats discovered Lisa in 1980 and offered a spokesperson/modeling career to the vivacious Lisa. Chris Craft Boats sponsored the Monaco Tennis Tournaments in the early 80's. Prince Albert of Monaco asked Lisa to dance at Jimmy Z's nightclub in Monaco and the two quickly became close friends. While dancing with Prince Albert, a significant Hollywood agent, Jack Gilardi, spotted Lisa and encouraged her to move to Hollywood. Jack Gilardi was known for representing Sylvester Stallone, Charleston Heston, Ann Margaret and Jaclyn Smith. He always had an eye for talent. Lisa's first reading was for Jay Bernstein and The New Mike Hammer TV Show. The casting required blondes only and Jack Gilardi sent Lisa to her 1st reading. There were over 300 girls auditioning. Jay Bernstein, another Hollywood mogul that had an eye for talent, gained legendary status as a Hollywood publicist and manager helping guide the careers of Farrah Faucet, Suzanne Somers and hundred of others. This became Lisa's first acting job and she was brunette. Lisa earned the respect of every major studio during auditions because of her personality and willingness to work. The legendary photographer Harry Lagdon wanted to photograph Lisa. Langdon was known for Hollywood's most famous poster girls such as Farrah, Cher and Ann Margaret. Lisa's photos were circulated to every major studio and Lisa ended up in the top 1% of earning of the Screen Actor's Guild. Jay Bernstein paved the way for her to become a member of both unions, SAG and AFTRA. Lisa filmed sometimes at 2 different studios a day while enrolled in the evening at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Lisa was passionate about healthy lifestyle, exercise, and fitness. While exercising at L.A. Fitness, a producer of Bubba Smith NFL aerobic video approached Lisa and asked her to audition. The audition includes 3 hours of aerobic activity and 2 girls were selected to star in the exercise video. Lisa quickly became popular in the fitness and health industry. This is when she first met owner of Herbalife nutritional company, Mark Hughes. Action film producer Joel Silver, known for Lethal Weapon, The Matrix, and Die Hard thrillers, interviewed Lisa and explained she belonged in major motion films. Due to Hollywood politics, policies and morals, Lisa explained she would rather find a career as a spokesperson. Lisa Coppenolle respected Hollywood producer Joel Silver the most for his honesty and very strong work ethic. Mark Hughes, owner and founder of Herbalife nutritional products and Larry Thompson, V.P. of Sales, followed up with Lisa and offered her a distributorship. Within 3 years, Lisa became the first Herbalife President's team member without any leads from the company. Mark Hughes showed Lisa unlimited royalties in a marketing plan and Lisa signed a contract. Lisa was #1 in the world for volume sales and recruiting 3 years in a row, 1990-1993. Her royalties are paid for 200 years and can be inherited for infinity.