The acting community is in mourning once again, with beloved Emmy-nominated actress Abby Dalton passing away.
The actress’ rep, Sue Procko, confirmed she passed on November 23 at 88 years old, ‘following a long illness,’ according to Deadline.
Dalton won an Emmy in 1961 for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Series for her work on Hennesey, and revived her career in the 1980s on Falcon Crest.
Mourning: The acting community is in mourning once again, with beloved Emmy-nominated actress Abby Dalton passing away
Illness: The actress’ rep, Sue Procko, confirmed she passed on November 23 at 88 years old, ‘following a long illness,’ according to Deadline
Abby Dalton was born Gladys Marlene Wasden in August 1932 in Las Vegas, and she began her career in 1957 in the Roger Corman movie Rock All Night.
She also had uncredited roles in Teenage Doll and Carnival Rock that year, along with The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent.
The actress had a busy year in 1958 with several movies (Stakeout on Dope Street, Girls on the Loose, Cole Younger, Gunfighter) and TV shows (The Rifleman, Have Gun – Will Travel, Jefferson Drum).
Busy: The actress had a busy year in 1958 with several movies (Stakeout on Dope Street, Girls on the Loose, Cole Younger, Gunfighter) and TV shows (The Rifleman, Have Gun – Will Travel, Jefferson Drum)
Dalton landed her breakthrough role in 1959 as Lt. Martha Hale, RN on Hennesey, starring alongside Jackie Cooper as the title character for all 95 episodes over three seasons.
She would earn her first and only Emmy nomination for the role in 1961 for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Series, which she ultimately lost to Don Knotts from The Andy Griffith Show.
After Hennesey went off the air in 1962, she immediately moved on to star as Ellie Barnes on The Joey Bishop Show until the show went off the air in 1965.
Breakthrough: Dalton landed her breakthrough role in 1959 as Lt. Martha Hale, RN on Hennesey, starring alongside Jackie Cooper as the title character for all 95 episodes over three seasons
Dalton would shift between movies and television for several years, playing Calamity Jane in the 1966 movie The Plainsman, with guest-starring spots on My Three Sons, The Danny Thomas Hour and Nanny and the Professor.
She continued to work regularly throughout the 1970s including guest-starring spots in Love American Style, Barney Miller and The Waltons.
While she didn’t work for a few years in the late 1970s, she rebounded in a big way by landing the role of Julia Cumson in Falcon Crest in 1981.
Guest star: She continued to work regularly throughout the 1970s including guest-starring spots in Love American Style, Barney Miller and The Waltons
Falcon Crest: While she didn’t work for a few years in the late 1970s, she rebounded in a big way by landing the role of Julia Cumson in Falcon Crest in 1981
She appeared in 98 episodes of the hit drama series between 1981 and 1986, though she worked sparingly throughout the rest of the 1980s.
Dalton was also a frequent guest on several game shows throughout the 1980s, including Tattletaless, Match Game, Hollywood Squares, The $25,000 Pyramid, Password and Body Language.
The actress is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jack D. Smith, and their three children, Matthew, Kathleen and John; as well as three grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Hit show: She appeared in 98 episodes of the hit drama series between 1981 and 1986, though she worked sparingly throughout the rest of the 1980s
Game show: Dalton was also a frequent guest on several game shows throughout the 1980s, including Tattletaless, Match Game, Hollywood Squares, The $25,000 Pyramid, Password and Body Language
Survived: The actress is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jack D. Smith, and their three children, Matthew, Kathleen and John; as well as three grandchildren and a great-grandson