Alley Mills facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alley Mills
Mills at the 1989 Emmy Awards
Born	(1951-05-09) May 9, 1951 (age 74) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other names	Alley Bean
Alma mater	Yale University (BA) London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (MA)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1965–present
Spouse(s)	Orson Bean ​ ​ (m. 1993; died 2020)​

Allison Mills (born May 9, 1951), also known as Alley Bean, is an American actress. She is famous for her roles on television.

She played Norma Arnold in the ABC comedy series, The Wonder Years (1988–1993). This show was about growing up. In 2006, she started playing Pamela Douglas on the CBS soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful. From 2022 to 2024, Mills also played Heather Webber on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series for this role.

About Alley Mills

Early Life and School

Alley Mills was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Ted Mills, worked in television. Her mother, Joan Mills Kerr, was an author and editor. Alley went to Yale University and earned a degree in drama and art history in 1973. She also earned a master's degree from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Starting Her Acting Career

Mills began acting in TV shows like Mr. Novak and The Leslie Uggams Show. Her first movie role was in the 1970 film, Diary of a Mad Housewife.

During the 1970s, Alley also performed in many plays. These included A Colliers Friday Night and The Little Foxes. In 1979, she starred with Martin Short in a TV comedy called The Associates. She played a lawyer in this show.

In the 1980s, she appeared in popular TV series. Some of these were Lou Grant, Newhart, and Moonlighting. She also had a role in four episodes of the police drama, Hill Street Blues.

The Wonder Years and Other Roles

In 1988, Mills got a big role as Norma Arnold. She played the mother of Fred Savage's character in The Wonder Years. This show was very popular and won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.

While on The Wonder Years, Mills also co-hosted the ABC talk show, Home. The Wonder Years finished in 1993 after six seasons.

After The Wonder Years, Mills acted in many movies made for TV. These included Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted (1992) and Moment of Truth: Caught in the Crossfire (1994). From 1993 to 1997, she had a recurring role in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. She played Marjorie Quinn, the sister of the main character.

She also appeared in other well-known TV shows. These included Roseanne, Touched by an Angel, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Mills with the cast and crew of The Bold and the Beautiful at 2010 Daytime Emmy Awards

Soap Opera Star

In 2006, Mills joined the cast of The Bold and the Beautiful. She played Pamela Douglas, the sister of Stephanie Forrester. Her character had some mental health struggles and needed special care. Mills returned to the show many times. She became a main cast member in 2008. She continued to appear on the show until 2019 and returned again in 2021.

While on The Bold and the Beautiful, Mills also acted in movies for the Hallmark Channel. These included Reluctant Nanny and Appetite for Love.

In 2022, Mills took over the role of Heather Webber on General Hospital. This character was known for causing trouble. In 2023, Mills won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series for her work on General Hospital. Also in 2023, she appeared in an episode of Fantasy Island with her The Wonder Years co-star, Dan Lauria.

Personal Life

Alley Mills was married to actor Orson Bean. They were married from 1993 until he passed away in 2020.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Alley Mills para niños