Collin Wilcox (actress) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Collin Wilcox
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Wilcox in 1958
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| Born |
Collin Randall Wilcox
February 4, 1935 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
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| Died | October 14, 2009 (aged 74) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1953–2003 |
| Spouse(s) | Walter Beakel (m. 1957; div. 19??) Scott Paxton
(m. 1979) |
| Children | 3 |
Collin Randall Wilcox (born February 4, 1935 – died October 14, 2009) was an American actress. She acted in movies, on stage, and on TV. You might also know her as Collin Wilcox-Horne or Collin Wilcox-Paxton. She is most famous for her part in the 1962 movie To Kill a Mockingbird. In this film, she played a character named Mayella Ewell. This character made a false accusation that led to a big trial in the story.
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Growing Up
Wilcox was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. When she was a baby, her family moved to Highlands, North Carolina. Her parents, Jack H. and Virginia Wilcox, loved theater. They even started their own theater group in 1939. This group is now called the Highlands Playhouse. Because of her parents, Collin became very interested in acting. She later studied drama at the University of Tennessee.
Acting Career
Collin Wilcox started her acting career in Chicago. She joined a group called The Compass Players. This group was known for making up scenes on the spot. Famous actors like Mike Nichols and Elaine May were also part of this group.
She performed in a play on Broadway in 1958. It was called The Day The Money Stopped. She won an award for her acting in this play. Later, she acted with Burt Reynolds in another Broadway play. She also appeared in other Broadway shows, like Strange Interlude.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Collin Wilcox is best known for her role in the 1962 movie To Kill a Mockingbird. She played Mayella Violet Ewell. In the movie, her character falsely accused a man named Tom Robinson of attacking her. This false accusation leads to a major trial in the story.
TV Shows and Movies
After To Kill a Mockingbird, Collin Wilcox acted in many TV shows. In 1964, she was in two memorable episodes. She appeared in The Twilight Zone episode "Number 12 Looks Just Like You". She also acted in The Alfred Hitchcock Hour episode "The Jar".
She was a guest star in many popular shows. These included Gunsmoke and Columbo. In Columbo, she played Ruth Stafford in an episode called "An Exercise in Fatality". Collin Wilcox continued acting in movies and on TV for many years. Her last movie role was in A Touch of Fate in 2003. She played Mrs. Kline in that film.
Supporting Civil Rights
Collin Wilcox was also involved in civil rights. She supported the NAACP. She once attended an NAACP conference. Some people there were surprised to see her. This was because her character in To Kill a Mockingbird made a false accusation against a Black man. An official at the conference had to explain. They told everyone that Collin believed in the cause. She was not like the character she played in the movie.
Later Life
Collin Wilcox passed away on October 14, 2009. She was 74 years old. She died from brain cancer at her home in Highlands, North Carolina. Her family received her ashes after she was cremated.
Filmography
- Twice Upon a Time (1953) - Ian
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - Mayella Violet Ewell
- The Name of the Game Is Kill! (1968) - Diz Terry
- The Sound of Anger (1968, TV Movie) - Ann Kochek
- Catch-22 (1970) - Nurse Cramer
- The Revolutionary (1970) - Ann
- The Baby Maker (1970) - Suzanne
- Jump (1971) - April Mae
- The Man Who Could Talk to Kids (1973, TV Movie) - Honor Lassiter
- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974, TV Movie) - Mistress Bryant
- A Cry in the Wilderness (1974, TV Movie) - Bess Millard
- The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975, TV Movie) - Mrs. Owens
- September 30, 1955 (1977) - Jimmy J.'s Mother
- Jaws 2 (1978) - Dr. Elkins
- Under This Sky (1979, TV Movie) - Susan B. Anthony
- Marie (1985) - Virginia
- Foxfire (1987, TV Movie) - Madge Burton
- Wildflower (1991, TV Movie) - Bessie Morgan
- The Portrait (1993, TV Movie) - Chancellor
- Fluke (1995) - Bella
- The Journey of August King (1996) - Mina
- Twisted Desire (1996, TV Movie) - Rose Stanton
- Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) - Woman at Party
- A Touch of Fate (2003) - Mrs. Kline (final film role)
Selected Television Appearances
- The Untouchables: Season 3, Episode 77 - "Takeover" (March 3, 1962)
- Route 66: Season 4 episode 15 - "Is it True There Are Poxies At The Bottom Of Landfair Lake?" (January 1964)
- The Twilight Zone: "Number 12 Looks Just Like You": Season 5, Episode 17 (1964)
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: "Coyote Moon" (episode aired originally on October 18, 1959): "The Monkey's Paw: A Retelling" (episode aired originally on April 19, 1965): "The Jar" (episode originally aired February 14, 1964)
- Perry Mason: Season 8, episode 1 "The Case of the Missing Button" (1964)
- The Fugitive: episodes "The Good Guys and the Bad Guys" (December 14, 1965) and "Approach with Care" (November 15, 1966)
- The F.B.I.: Season 2, Episode 16 - "Passage Into Fear" (Jan 8, 1967)
- The Virginian: Season 6 Episode 12 - "The Barren Ground" (December 6, 1967)
- Death Valley Days: Season 17 Episode 4 - "The Sage Hen" (October 1, 1968)
- The Immortal: "The Rainbow Butcher" (October 22, 1970)
- Columbo: Season 4, Episode 26 - "An Exercise in Fatality" (September 15, 1974)
- The Waltons: Season 1, Episode 7 - "The Sinner" (October 26, 1972)
- The Streets of San Francisco: Season 2, Episode 2 - "Betrayed" (September 20, 1973)
- Little House On The Prairie: Season 4, Episode 7 - "To Run and Hide" (October 31, 1977)
