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Sian Barbara Allen, a celebrated actress prominent in 1970s television and recognized for roles in hit series like “The Waltons,” has passed away at the age of 78. Her notable performances earned her critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination.
Sian Barbara Allen, 1970s TV Actress, Dies at 78
The accomplished performer died on Monday in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease, according to information in an online obituary.
News of her death was shared by her sister in a Facebook post, which read, ‘My wonderful sister, actress Sian Barbara Allen died peacefully today after a long illness. This loss is profound.’
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on July 12, 1946, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Allen pursued her passion for acting with dedication. She honed her skills at the Pasadena Playhouse starting in 1964.
Television and Film Roles
Allen became a familiar face on television screens starting in 1971 with an appearance in “Alias Smith and Jones.” Her career spanned various popular shows, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
She secured guest roles in well-known series such as “Gunsmoke,” “The F.B.I.,” and “Love, American Style,” further establishing her presence in the television landscape.
Sian Barbara Allen, celebrated for her work in 1970s television, succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease at 78.
Golden Globe Nomination and “The Waltons”
In 1973, Allen received a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising New Actress for her portrayal of a young woman with a developmental disability in the 1972 film “You’ll Like My Mother.”
During the filming of “You’ll Like My Mother,” she developed a romantic relationship with co-star Richard Thomas. They were together for several years, according to IMDB reports.
Allen appeared in two episodes of “The Waltons” in 1973, playing Jenny Pendleton. Her character shared a tender romance with John-boy, played by Thomas, in the family drama.
Other Notable Projects
Also in 1973, Allen starred alongside Bette Davis in the television thriller “Scream, Peggy Scream.” She played a young woman hired to care for Davis’s character, unaware of a past murder at the residence.
Allen held a leading role in the film “Billy Two Hats,” opposite Gregory Peck and Jack Warden.
In 1976, she portrayed Anne Morrow Lindbergh in “The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case,” a TV movie based on factual events.
Throughout her career, Allen made multiple appearances on “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” taking on different roles in each episode.
Her guest appearances extended to other popular shows, including “The Rockford Files” with James Garner, “Hawaii Five-0” with Jack Lord and James MacArthur, and several appearances on “Ironside” starring Raymond Burr.
Allen’s performance in “You’ll Like My Mother” (1972) garnered her a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising New Actress in 1973.
Allen in a 1972 episode of “Marcus Welby MD.”
In a 1973 episode of “The Waltons,” Allen played Jenny Pendleton, involved in a romantic storyline with Richard Thomas’s John-boy. The actors met during the filming of “You’ll Like My Mother” in 1972 and were a couple for several years.
Allen and Bette Davis co-starred in the 1973 TV thriller “Scream, Peggy Scream.” Allen played a caregiver, unaware of a previous murder.
Ted Bessell portrayed Davis’s son, a sculptor, in “Scream, Peggy Scream.”
Writing and Later Career
Drawing upon her extensive experience in crime dramas, Allen ventured into writing, contributing an episode to “Baretta” starring Robert Blake in 1978. She also appeared in the episode as Baretta’s cousin, Ellen.
Her final acting role came in 1990 with a guest appearance on the popular series “L.A. Law.” Following this, Allen transitioned away from acting to focus on family life.
Personal Life and Family
Allen married actor Peter Gelblum in 1979. They had a daughter, Emily, named after the lead character Allen portrayed in a 1976 stage production of “Our Town.” The couple later divorced in 2001.
Survivors
Sian Barbara Allen is survived by her daughter Emily Gelblum, her sisters Hannah Davie and Meg Pokrass (a flash fiction author), grandson Arlo Fonseca, and nephew Miles Bond.