Lisa Eilbacher starred as Judy Tyler, Peter Parker's primary romantic interest, in the 1977 The Amazing Spider-Man movie.
Judy is the daughter of Professor Noah Tyler, a scientist who becomes the victim of the film's main villain, Edward Byron. Both Judy and Peter fall under Edward's mind control. When Edward threatens Judy, Peter overcomes his trance and suits up as Spider-Man to rescue Judy and defeats the villain.
Lisa was synonymous with her voluminous 70s blowout, striking screen presence and old Hollywood charm. The actress also starred in An Officer and a Gentleman and Beverly Hills Cop – becoming one of the defining stars of the 80s. However, following her success, she disappeared from the industry.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyIn light of Daniel Cretton's 2026 Spider-Man: Brand New Day, HELLO! takes a closer look at what happened to the original actress.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks Tom Holland's fourth appearance as Peter Parker following the success of 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home. The previous film ended with Doctor Strange casting a spell that erased Peter Parker from everyone's memory, leaving the young superhero to begin life entirely alone.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyEarly career and breakthrough roles
Lisa launched her acting career at the age of six, appearing in well-known television series including My Three Sons, The Brady Bunch, and Gunsmoke. "I really believe that no one can teach anyone to act," she famously declared in 1987.
However, under the instructions of her father, she worked in Taco Bell on State Street one summer as a teenager. "I cleaned out the bean vats," she told David Letterman in 1985. "I didn't get a lunch break." The part-time job seemed to be short-lived, and 1977 proved to be a stellar year for the actress as she appeared in The Hardy Boys, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Man from Atlantis, and Logan's Run.
© ABCLisa's big breaks came with her roles in the 1982 An Officer and a Gentleman and the 1984 Beverly Hills Cop. In 1985, she went on to star in the ABC television series Me and Mom. Lisa revealed that she missed out on a role in Short Circuit while chatting to David Letterman in 1985. The role was given to actress Ally Sheedy.
During the 90s, she appeared in the NBC drama Midnight Caller for its final season, along with a role in 919 Fifth Avenue. This proved to be Lisa's final on-screen appearance.
© MediaPunch via Getty ImagesWhat happened to Lisa Eilbacher?
During the second half of the 90s, Lisa made a conscious decision to step away from the spotlight. It has been reported that she wanted to prioritize her marriage to director Bradford May. The couple tied the knot back in 1988 and they do not have any children. Today, Lisa is 70 years old.
