Sian Barbara Allen, a beloved actress known for her memorable roles in 1970s television, has passed away at the age of 78.
The actress, who became a household name with her roles in popular TV shows such as The Waltons, succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease on Monday in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Her sister confirmed the sad news through a heartfelt Facebook post, sharing the grief of losing her “wonderful sister” after a long illness.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on July 12, 1946, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Sian Barbara Allen’s passion for acting led her to study at the Pasadena Playhouse in California beginning in 1964.
She quickly became a recognized face on television, with her first major appearance in 1971 on Alias Smith and Jones.
Over the next few years, she made guest appearances on numerous hit shows, including Gunsmoke, The F.B.I., and the classic Love, American Style.
Golden Globe Nomination and Iconic Roles
One of her standout performances was in the 1972 film You’ll Like My Mother, where she portrayed a mentally challenged young woman.
This role earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising New Actress in 1973.
During this period, Allen also had a romance with her co-star, Richard Thomas, who played John-boy in The Waltons.
She went on to star in two episodes of the series, playing Jenny Pendleton, a young woman who shares a romantic storyline with Thomas’s character.
Television and Film Appearances
Allen’s versatility as an actress shone through in a variety of roles.
In 1973, she starred alongside Bette Davis in the made-for-TV thriller Scream, Peggy Scream, where she played a young woman tasked with looking after Davis’s character, unaware that the previous caretaker had been murdered.
She also appeared opposite Gregory Peck and Jack Warden in the 1974 film Billy Two Hats and portrayed Anne Morrow Lindbergh in the 1976 TV movie The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case.
Continued Success and Family Life
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Allen made guest appearances on shows like Marcus Welby, M.D., The Rockford Files, Hawaii Five-0, and Ironside.
She also tried her hand at writing, creating an episode of Baretta in 1978, where she starred alongside Robert Blake.
Allen’s final acting role came in 1990 on L.A. Law, after which she retired from acting to focus on her family life.
Personal Life and Legacy
In 1979, Allen married fellow actor Peter Gelblum, with whom she had a daughter, Emily, named after her character in a 1976 production of Our Town.
The couple later divorced in 2001. Allen is survived by her daughter Emily, her ex-husband Peter Gelblum, her sisters Hannah Davie and Meg Pokrass (a flash fiction author), her grandson Arlo Fonseca, and her nephew Miles Bond.
Sian Barbara Allen’s contribution to television and film during the golden era of TV in the 1970s will be remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
Her legacy remains intact through the many memorable characters she brought to life on screen.