Abby Dalton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abby Dalton
Dalton in 1963
Born	Gladys Marlene Wasden (1932-08-15)August 15, 1932 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Died	November 23, 2020(2020-11-23) (aged 88) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1957–2013
Spouse(s)	Jack Smith (1960–1972; divorced) Joe Mondragon (divorced)
Children	3, including Kathleen Kinmont

Gladys Marlene Wasden (born August 15, 1932 – died November 23, 2020), known professionally as Abby Dalton, was an American actress. She was famous for her roles in TV shows like Hennesey (1959–1962) and The Joey Bishop Show (1962–1965). She also starred in the popular evening soap opera Falcon Crest (1981–1986).

About Abby Dalton's Life and Career

Abby Dalton was born Gladys Marlene Wasden on August 15, 1932, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She had three children with her husband, Jack Smith. One of her daughters, Kathleen Kinmont, also became an actress. Interestingly, Kathleen Kinmont married Lorenzo Lamas, who played Abby Dalton's son on the TV show Falcon Crest.

Abby Dalton's Television Roles

Abby Dalton as Martha Hale in the final Hennesey episode, September 17, 1962

Abby Dalton appeared in many television shows throughout her career. Early on, she was in Western series. For example, she appeared in an episode of Maverick where James Garner and Clint Eastwood had a fight over her character. She also played a love interest in Have Gun Will Travel and The Rifleman in 1958.

From 1959 to 1962, Abby Dalton played Nurse Martha Hale in the sitcom Hennesey. She was even nominated for an Emmy Award for this role. After Hennesey ended, she joined The Joey Bishop Show.

Abby Dalton carried by Joey Bishop on The Joey Bishop Show sitcom, September 15, 1962

On The Joey Bishop Show, which ran from 1962 to 1965, Dalton played Ellie Barnes, the wife of Joey Barnes (played by Joey Bishop). It was quite a busy time for her! The final episode of Hennesey showed her character getting married. Just two days before that, she appeared as a newlywed on The Joey Bishop Show. This meant she played a married character on two different TV shows on two different networks within a very short time.

With guest star Charles Bronson in Hennesey (1960)

With Joey Bishop in The Joey Bishop Show sitcom (1962)

Abby Dalton was also a familiar face on game shows. She was a regular panelist on Match Game and appeared on Hollywood Squares. She also played on Super Password.

In the 1980s, Dalton took on a major role as Julia Cumson in the popular soap opera Falcon Crest. Her character, Julia, was the daughter of the powerful Angela Channing (Jane Wyman) and the mother of Lance Cumson (Lorenzo Lamas). Julia's story was full of drama. In one surprising twist, her character was revealed to have been involved in a major secret. Later, she even escaped from a mental institution. Her character was thought to have died, but she later reappeared, making occasional appearances in the show's later seasons. After Falcon Crest, Abby Dalton guest-starred in other popular shows like Hotel and Murder, She Wrote.

Abby Dalton's Movie Roles

Abby Dalton also acted in several movies. In 1957, she appeared in films like Teenage Doll and Carnival Rock. Her first main role was in the 1957 movie Rock All Night. Later, in 1966, she played the famous Wild West figure Calamity Jane in the film The Plainsman. She also appeared in A Whale of a Tale (1976) with William Shatner. In the 1990s and 2000s, she continued to act in films such as CyberTracker (1994) and the horror film Prank (2008).

Abby Dalton's Death

Abby Dalton passed away on November 23, 2020, in Los Angeles, after a long illness.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Abby Dalton para niños