Gwen Van Dam, character actress known for “Halloween”, “Brady Bunch”, and more, dies at 96
In a career spanning 70 years, Van dam amassed credits including "Homecoming," "Grace and Frankie," and "Interior Chinatown."
Gwen Van Dam, a veteran character actress whose 140 screen credits included such films and TV shows as Halloween, The Brady Bunch, and most recently Interior Chinatown, died Dec. 19 at 96.
Van Dam's representatives at Roth & Associates West confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly and said in a statement, "She was a talented actress, a loving mother and grandmother, and a joy to the many friends she collected over her long career. We will miss her bright smile, her positive attitude, and the grace with which she approached her life, both personally and professionally. Her legacy will live on in the many wonderful performances she gave over her 70 years in show business."
Gwendolyn Greta Van Dam was born Nov. 5, 1928, in San Francisco. She discovered her love of acting while attending San Jose State University, and after graduation penned a letter to stage legend Gertrude Lawrence, seeking advice on how to land roles in New York. Lawrence directed Van Dam to her husband, producer Richard Aldrich, who cast her in his touring show The Guardsman, leading Van Dam to cross paths with her own future spouse, Bill Smillie, the show's property manager.
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Soon after, Van Dam declined an opportunity to screen-test for From Here to Eternity, a decision she would later regret. But the years to come would soon see the actress arrive on the big screen.
Among her early films were Lilith (1964), starring Jean Seberg; John Cassavetes' Husbands (1970); the comedy The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977); and Halloween, John Carpenter's 1987 horror classic. Van Dam's subsequent films included Stir Crazy, True Confessions, Star Trek: Generations, and Burlesque.
On the small screen, Van Dam appeared in episodes of The Brady Bunch, Maude, Days of Our Lives, Moonlighting, 227, Knots Landing, ER, Gilmore Girls, Charmed, New Girl, Criminal Minds, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, Modern Family, Grace and Frankie, and Homecoming.
The actress stayed busy even in the later stages of her career, popping up in music videos for artists such as U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Panic! at the Disco.
Van Dam also took her talents to the stage, starring in productions for 14 L.A.-based theater companies during her career.
She is survived by her daughter, Claudia Tumas; son Dirk Smillie; and grandchildren Lorelei, Amanda and Crystal.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly