Gwen Van Dam, a seven-decade veteran actress whose 140 credits spanned television, film and the Los Angeles stage, died Dec. 19 at her home in West Los Angeles. She was 96 years old.
According to previous reports attributed to her son, Dirk Smellie, the cause of death was a recurrence of cancer.
Throughout her long career, Van Damme appeared in 1978 Halloween With Jamie Lee Curtis, 1994 Star Trek Generations With Patrick Stewart, romantic war drama Go home Featuring Jane Fonda, Jon Voight and a portrait of Gene Wilder led by Sidney Poitier infuriating.
Among her television credits are popular series such as Days of our Lives, Gilmore Girls, Knots Landing, ER, Moonlight, The Brady Bunch, Maude, Owen Marshall, New Girl, Modern Family and Criminal Minds.
In terms of music videos, she has appeared in visuals for U2, Smashing Pumpkins, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Panic! In the disco and heavy metal band Mastodon.
Van Dam sang until her death. She recently appeared in two episodes of the Apple TV+ series Inner Chinatown. In 2018, she appeared in the first five episodes of the Amazon series HomecomingThriller starring Julia Roberts and Janelle Monáe. Earlier, she was on Netflix Grace and Frankie.
The actress was also prolific on stage, appearing in shows at 14 different theater companies in the City of Angels, including the Mark Taper Forum, Globe Theatre, LAT and Norris Theater. She received the Best Supporting Actress award from Road Theater for her role in a film Story hunter And the best actor award for the group Happy ending.
In 2011 Los Angeles Stage Times Profile, “Gwen Van Dam Takes A Trip,” one reviewer noted in the lead role of Carrie Watts in The journey to abundance“, “Gwen Van Damme has big shoes to fill – Geraldine Page (the movie) and Lillian Gish (the play). Ms. Van Dam truly chooses to forge her own path and use her own assets and experiences. She brings sweetness and vulnerability to this role. You will love traveling with her on this important journey.”
Born Gwendolyn Greta Van Damme in San Francisco, she discovered her love of acting in college, graduating with a bachelor's degree from San Jose State University in 1950. She left home for New York after writing a letter to Broadway and West End performer Gertrude Lawrence for advice. On landing roles in New York, who suggested she contact her husband, producer Richard Aldrich; And he threw it in a tourist show, The guardIt's where she met her future husband, Bill Smillie, who was then the show's property manager.
She landed early roles in television series and summer theater in the Northeast and studied with acting teacher Mira Rostova at the Herbert Berghoff (HB) Studio in New York. At this point, she was offered a screen test for the upcoming production of From here to eternity (1953 romantic war drama film) and a 7-year acting contract with Columbia Pictures. Fellow student Montgomery Clift (who ironically ended up starring in the aforementioned film) warned Van Damme of the deal: “Are you sure you want to go to Hollywood? It could ruin you.” She later admitted that this was the worst mistake of her career.
Her friends in New York in the 1960s included the artist Joseph Cornell, whose Surrealist shadow boxes earned him solo shows at museums such as the Guggenheim. Cornell produced a shadow box for Van Damme titled “An Owl for Gwendolyn”, and went on to produce an experimental short film featuring Van Damme and her sister Jenny.
Every New Year's Day, Van Damme and her husband (also a veteran actor, who died in 2003) would host an annual holiday party at their home, attracting a lively mix of industry friends, including Lynn Lesser (Seinfeldhis uncle Leo), Marvin Kaplan (who worked with Charlie Chaplin) and Tina Louise (Ginger On) Gilligan's Island).
Van Dam is survived by her daughter, Claudia Thomas. son Dirk Smellie; and grandchildren Lorelei, Amanda and Crystal. The service will be held in early February in Hollywood.
