RIP Sharon Farrell

 

Sharon Farrell, 'It's Alive,' 'Night of the Comet' Actress, Dead at 82

EXTRa

August 04, 2023 

Sharon Farrell, a glamorous contract player who had a prolific TV career and made big impressions in several features, died in May at 82, her sister confirms on Facebook.

 

Farrell's death at L.A. Downtown Medical Center, which was not widely reported at the time, came after spending time in care facilities.

Farrell, born December 24, 1940, in Sioux City, Iowa, was a dancer first, working at the American Ballet Theatre in the 1950s.

In 1959, she made her film debut in "Kiss Her Goodbye," a low-budget psychological thriller that also featured Elaine Stritch.

Other early films included "40 Pounds of Trouble" (1962) with Tony Curtis and Suzanne Pleshette; "The Spy with My Face," a 1965 movie spun off from the TV hit "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."; the noir films "A Lovely Way to Die" (1968) with Kirk Douglas and "Marlowe" (1969) with James Garner; "The Reivers" (1969) opposite Steve McQueen, with whom she famously had an affair; and the Jacqueline Susann scorcher "The Love Machine" (1971).

Farrell enjoyed meatier — and more plentiful — roles on TV, including as a regular on "Saints and Sinners" (1962) and a widely admired episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" (1965) called "Final Performance" with a deeply unsettling ending.

Much later, she was a popular addition to "The Young and the Restless," appearing on more than 80 episodes (1991-1997).

In 1970, Farrell suffered brain damage after giving birth to her only son, former actor Chance Boyer. She hid the devastating effects of her illness and continued working, including her appearances in the films for which she is most remembered — the gruesome "It's Alive" (1974); the Chuck Norris/David Carradine favorite "Lone Wolf McQuade" (1983); and the beloved '80s comedies "Night of the Comet" (1984) and "Can't Buy Me Love" (1987).

Farrell was a flirtatious storyteller who published her memoir "'Hollywood Princess' from Sioux City Iowa" in 2013.

She largely retired from acting after the '90s, returning for two episodes of the series "Broken at Love" (2013-2014), and appearing at numerous autograph shows.

Farrell was married and divorced (including one annulment) five times, including an early marriage to actor Andrew Prine, who died last year.

She is survived by her son.

FARRELL, Sharon (Sharon Forsmoe)

Born: 12/24/1940, Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.A.

Died: 5/15/2023, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

Sharon Farrell’s westerns – actress:

Wagon Train (TV) – 1962, 1964 (Pearlie Garnet, Judy Wilson)

Death Valley Days (TV) – 1963 (Cora Franklin)

Empire (TV) – 1963 (Lisa Barry)

Gunsmoke (TV) – 1963, 1964 (Annie, Belle, Lottie)

Rawhide (TV) – 1965 (Billie Lou)

The Iron Horse (TV) – 1967 (Carrie)

The Virginian (TV) – 1967 (Mavis)

The Wild Wild West (TV) 1968 (Cloris Colton)

The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang (TV) – 1979 (Flo Quick)

Lone Wolf McQuade – 1983 (Mollie McQuade)