Ena Hartman, ‘Dan August’ and ‘Terminal Island’ Actress, Dies at 93

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Back in the day, when I was just a kid with a controller in hand, there was this amazing actress named Ena Hartman gracing our screens. Known for her regular role alongside Burt Reynolds on the ABC cop show “Dan August” back in the ’70s, she’s now taken a bow from the stage of life at 93 years young. Rest in power, Ena. Your performances will always be remembered.

On the sad day of April 16th, I bid farewell to Hartman, a loss that came naturally within the comforts of her Van Nuys residence, as shared by her cherished goddaughter, Lorraine Foxworth, with The Hollywood Reporter.

Hartman is recognized for her role as the tough character Carmen Simms, which she played alongside Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult movie “Terminal Island” (1973). This film was written and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

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Hartman is well-known for her performance as the tough girl Carmen Simms, alongside Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult prison-based film “Terminal Island” (1973). This movie was penned and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

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Hartman is famous for her role as the tough character Carmen Simms, alongside actors like Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult film “Terminal Island” (1973). This movie was scripted and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

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Hartman gained recognition for her portrayal as the tough girl Carmen Simms, alongside stars like Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult movie “Terminal Island” (1973). This film was authored and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

or

Hartman is acknowledged for her role as the tough character Carmen Simms, alongside actors Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult prison-themed film “Terminal Island” (1973). The movie was penned and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

or

Hartman is known for her performance as the tough girl Carmen Simms, alongside actors Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult prison-set movie “Terminal Island” (1973). The film was written and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

or

Hartman is widely recognized for her role as the tough character Carmen Simms, alongside actors Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult film “Terminal Island” (1973). This movie was scripted and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

or

Hartman is celebrated for her portrayal as the tough girl Carmen Simms, alongside stars like Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult movie “Terminal Island” (1973). This film was authored and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

or

Hartman is renowned for her role as the tough character Carmen Simms, alongside actors Tom Selleck, Don Marshall, Roger E. Mosley, Phyllis Davis, and Marta Kristen in the cult prison-themed movie “Terminal Island” (1973). This film was penned and directed by Stephanie Rothman.

She helped portray the character of Lee J. Cobb in the 1966 spy parody “Our Man Flint,” which featured James Coburn. In the movie “Games” from 1967, she appeared as a guest at a party, with James Caan, Simone Signoret, and Katharine Ross in the leading roles. Additionally, she played a flight attendant in the film “Airport,” released in 1970.

For the first time on NBC in 1968, she made her appearance on the debut episode of Adam-12 and in the television film Prescription Murder, where Peter Falk portrayed Columbo for the very first time.

During a time when TV opportunities for Black actresses were scarce, Hartman made an impact by portraying the intelligent and no-nonsense character Katy Grant, a police dispatcher, on the show Dan August. Reynolds played the lead role as Dan August, a detective solving murders in his native Santa Luisa, California.

Nevertheless, the show, boasting appearances by Richard Anderson and Norman Fell, only ran for a single season with a total of 26 episodes.

Previously, Hartman was offered an opportunity for stardom when renowned actress-singer Dorothy Dandridge selected her to portray her in a proposed biopic. This project was intended to feature Sidney Poitier as well. However, at the last moment, Poitier declined to be part of the movie, and it ultimately never came into being.

Hartman had the honor of being Poitier’s guest during the 1964 Academy Awards, as Poitier was the first African American male to receive the Oscar for Best Actor.

Subsequently, it was reported that she was a strong contender for the roles of Lieutenant Uhura in NBC’s Star Trek and one of the nuns in Elvis Presley’s Change of Habit (1969), but ultimately, Nichelle Nichols and Barbara McNair secured those parts. However, she made an appearance on the first-season episode of Trek titled “The Corbomite Maneuver.

Born on April 1, 1932, in Moscow, Arkansas, Gerthaline Henry – a girl from sharecropping families – was brought up by her grandparents. At the age of 13, she relocated to Buffalo, New York, to reside with her mother.

Instead of completing her high school education, she opted to launch a restaurant, which eventually provided her sufficient income to relocate to New York City. In this bustling city, she changed her professional name and quickly rose through the modeling ranks, becoming one of the city’s leading models. She also studied drama under Josh Shelley and the esteemed director Lloyd Richards who was known for his work on “A Raisin in the Sun.

Hartman took part in a talent contest for young actors and actresses, sponsored by NBC, which led her to securing a talent contract from the network – believed to be the first such agreement for any African-American actor. According to Ebony magazine in 1962, the multi-year deal was worth $12,000 per year, and she expressed her excitement, stating that it was the most thrilling event in her life.

In 1964, she first appeared on screen in an episode of “Bonanza” and also in the film “The New Interns,” its subsequent installment.

Later on, Hartman appeared in various shows like Profiles in Courage, The Farmer’s Daughter, Tarzan, Ironside, It Takes a Thief, Dragnet 1967, The Name of the Game, The Outsider, another version of Ironside, and for her last on-screen appearance, an episode from Police Story in 1975.

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Over time, Hartman made appearances on series such as Profiles in Courage, The Farmer’s Daughter, Tarzan, Ironside, It Takes a Thief, Dragnet 1967, The Name of the Game, The Outsider, another edition of Ironside, and for her final credit, an episode from Police Story in 1975.

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As time passed, Hartman was featured on shows like Profiles in Courage, The Farmer’s Daughter, Tarzan, Ironside, It Takes a Thief, Dragnet 1967, The Name of the Game, The Outsider, another adaptation of Ironside, and for her final role, an episode from Police Story in 1975.

In addition to her goddaughter, survivors include her son, Doug, and daughter-in-law, Kimberly.

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2025-05-29 01:55