Sian Barbara Allen, a Golden Globe-nominated actress known for her appearances in popular television series like “The Waltons” and “L.A. Law,” died Monday at 78 in Chapel Hill, N.C. The cause was Alzheimer’s disease, according to multiple reports.
Allen built a prolific television career throughout the 1970s and 1980s, appearing in numerous hit shows including “Gunsmoke,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “Columbo,” and “The Rockford Files.” Her work extended beyond acting, as she became the first woman to write a script for the television series “Baretta” in 1978.
Born on July 12, 1946, in Reading, Pa., Allen was raised by her mother and grandmother. After graduating high school, she received a scholarship to the Pasadena Playhouse, which launched her acting career. She studied with acclaimed acting teacher Peggy Feury as part of the Journeyman program at the Mark Taper Forum before being hired as one of the last contract players at Universal Studios.
Allen’s breakout role came in the 1972 film “You’ll Like My Mother,” where she starred alongside Patty Duke, Rosemary Murphy, and Richard Thomas. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for most promising new actress in 1973. During the filming of this project, she reportedly began a relationship with her co-star Richard Thomas, who was known for his role as John-Boy Walton in “The Waltons.” Allen later appeared in two episodes of the series in 1973, playing John-Boy’s love interest, Jenny Pendleton.
Following her success in “You’ll Like My Mother,” Allen co-starred with Bette Davis in the thriller “Scream, Pretty Peggy.” Her film work also included the Western “Billy Two Hats,” where she appeared opposite Gregory Peck and Jack Warden, and “The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case,” which featured Anthony Hopkins.
“Sian was most often cast in roles in which her characters showed great vulnerability and uncommon empathy, which won her a legion of fans all over the world,” her obituary reads. Allen’s theater career was also significant to her, with one of her favorite roles being Emily Webb in “Our Town” at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 1976. Her connection to this character was so meaningful that she later named her daughter Emily in honor of it.
One of Allen’s proudest achievements was receiving the Key to the City of her hometown. After making her final on-screen appearance in “L.A. Law” in 1990, Allen withdrew from Hollywood to focus on politics and family life. Along with her then-husband, Peter Gelblum, and daughter, Emily, she volunteered for Jackie Goldberg’s 1993 city council campaign in Los Angeles. Her family noted she was a “staunch supporter of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers and never crossed a picket line in her entire life.”
Beyond her acting and political activism, Allen was also known as a “remarkable poet” who left behind “boxes of writing.” Her daughter described her mother as having a passion for literature, music, and comfort foods.
Allen is survived by her daughter Emily Fonseca, two sisters, a nephew, her ex-husband Peter Gelblum, several cousins, and her grandson Arlo Fonseca, “who made her laugh more than anyone could dream.” Her daughter has requested that donations be made to the AuthoraCare Collective Hospice of Burlington or local organizations combating oppression in Allen’s honor.
Allen’s legacy extends beyond her screen performances. After stepping away from public life, she maintained her commitment to social causes and creative expression through poetry and writing. Her work in television and film during the 1970s and 1980s remains part of the cultural landscape of American entertainment, particularly her memorable appearance in “The Waltons,” which continues to have a dedicated fanbase.
Throughout her 20-year career in Hollywood, Allen demonstrated versatility in her roles across different genres, from Westerns to thrillers to drama. While she was known for playing vulnerable characters, she showed strength in her off-screen life through her political activism and dedication to causes she believed in.
Allen’s contribution to television history includes not only her performances but also her groundbreaking work as a female television writer at a time when the industry was predominantly male. Her script for “Baretta” represented an important step for women in television production during the 1970s.
Her passing marks the end of a life dedicated to both artistic expression and social justice, leaving behind a body of work that spans multiple decades of American television and film.
