Gwen Van Dam, a Character Actress for 70 Years, Dies at 96

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Actress Gwen Van Dam, who had a remarkable 70-year career spanning movies, TV shows, and the stage, and was known for her roles in titles like ‘True Confessions’, ‘Halloween’, ‘Coming Home’, ‘Stir Crazy’ and ‘The Trip to Bountiful’, has passed away at the age of 96.

Actress Van Dam, with around 140 acting roles listed on IMDb, passed away on December 19th at her home in West Los Angeles following a return of cancer, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter and confirmed by her son, Dirk Smillie.

Until the very end, Van Dam continued to maintain a bustling acting career. In 2018, she featured in the initial five episodes of Amazon Prime Video’s “Homecoming,” followed by appearances on Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie” in 2019. Last year, she starred in two episodes of Hulu’s “Interior Chinatown.” Most recently, she completed a stage play as well.

Her TV credits encompass a wide range, from classics like “The Brady Bunch” and “Maude,” to popular series such as “ER,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Criminal Minds,” and more recent shows like “New Girl,” “Angie Tribeca,” and “Modern Family.” She has also appeared in various TV movies, including “Star Trek: Generations” and “House Calls.” Additionally, she had a recurring role on “227” and was part of the cast for “Knots Landing.

Over the last ten years, she made appearances in music videos for bands like U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Panic! at the Disco, and Mastodon. Interestingly, her son mentioned that she wasn’t particularly acquainted with these artists.

In the year 2011, she made an uncommon leading appearance in a Los Angeles Group Rep staging of Horton Foote’s play, “The Trip to Bountiful”.

The reviewer from L.A. Stage Times stated that Gwen Van Dam, as Carrie Watts, has a significant challenge ahead – following in the footsteps of Geraldine Page (in the film) and Lillian Gish (on stage). However, Ms. Van Dam wisely decides to blaze her own trail, utilizing her unique talents and personal experiences. She imbues the role with a touch of sweetness and vulnerability that will make you cherish accompanying her on this crucial journey.

She appeared in productions for 14 L.A.-based theater companies during her career.

Born on November 5, 1928, in San Francisco, Gwendolyn Greta Van Dam was the third child in her family. She nurtured a passion for acting while attending San Jose State University. Upon graduating in 1950, she wrote a letter to Gertrude Lawrence asking for advice on securing roles in New York City. Impressed by her determination, Gertrude suggested that Van Dam contact her husband, Richard Aldrich, who was a producer. As a result of this connection, he cast her in his stage production titled “The Guardsman” for its touring shows.

As I honed my craft under the tutelage of renowned acting coach Mira Rostova at the Herbert Berghof Studio in the heart of New York, an opportunity presented itself: a screen test for a part in the epic film “From Here to Eternity” (1953), along with a contract from Columbia Pictures.

Nevertheless, Van Dam declined the offers following Montgomery Clift’s advice as a fellow student at Rostova, who asked her, “Aren’t you certain about moving to Hollywood? It might shatter you.” Later, she acknowledged that it was her most regrettable professional decision.

However, she persisted and made her debut on the big screen playing a nurse in “Lilith” (1964) with Jean Seberg, followed by roles in “Husbands” (1970) directed by John Cassavetes and “The Kentucky Fried Movie” (1977), a production by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker.

Every New Year’s Day, Van Dam and her late spouse, the Scottish-actor Bill Smillie, would host a gathering at their residence. Notable attendees at these events were frequently actors such as Len Lesser, Marvin Kaplan, and Tina Louise.

Back in the day, I crossed paths with Smillie, who managed The Guardsman. We tied the knot in the charming town of Carmel in October 1959, and we stayed a team till his departure in November 2003, at the ripe age of 81.

Her sister, Jeanie, died a week after she did at age 94.

Apart from her son, she also leaves behind her daughter Claudia, as well as her granddaughters Lorelei, Amanda, and Crystal. A memorial service has been arranged for the upcoming month in Hollywood.

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2025-01-05 19:24