Abby Dalton
A versatile television actress whose warm presence anchored the sitcom 'Hennesey' and the prime-time drama 'Falcon Crest' for American audiences across three decades.
1932–2020 (age 88)·American actress·Birthday: August 15·The Silent Generation
Biography
Abby Dalton's career was a steady burn rather than a flashy explosion, a testament to her reliable talent and likable screen presence. Born Gladys Marlene Wasden in Las Vegas, she broke into Hollywood in the 1950s, landing small film roles before television claimed her. Her big break came as Lieutenant Martha Hale, the sharp and compassionate nurse on the naval comedy 'Hennesey,' a role that made her a familiar face in American living rooms. She seamlessly transitioned to another hit sitcom, playing the patient wife Ellie Barnes on 'The Joey Bishop Show.' After a hiatus, she returned with force in the 1980s, joining the cast of the glossy CBS drama 'Falcon Crest' as Julia Cumson, the scheming, troubled mother of Lance. This role reintroduced her to a new generation and showcased a darker, more dramatic range. Throughout her career, Dalton projected a grounded, intelligent warmth, whether in comedy or drama, making her a trusted fixture of classic TV.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Abby was born in 1932, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Abby Was Born
The biggest hits of 1932
#1 Movie
Grand Hotel
Best Picture
Grand Hotel
Abby's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1932Born
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1937Started school
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1945Became a teenager
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1948Could drive
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1950Could vote
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1953Turned 21
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1962Turned 30
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1972Turned 40
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1982Turned 50
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1992Turned 60
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 70
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 80
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2020Died at 88
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
Key Achievements
- Starred as a series regular on three successful TV shows spanning different eras: 'Hennesey' (1959-1962), 'The Joey Bishop Show' (1962-1965), and 'Falcon Crest' (1981-1986).
- Nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1960 for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Hennesey.'
- Appeared in over 20 feature films and made countless guest-starring roles on major television series from the 1950s through the 1990s.
- Her role as Julia Cumson on 'Falcon Crest' made her a key player in one of the most popular prime-time soaps of the 1980s.
Did You Know?
She was a skilled amateur painter and held several art exhibitions of her work.
She was married to writer-producer Jack Smith, who created the game show 'The $10,000 Pyramid.'
One of her early film roles was in the cult classic 'The Monster That Challenged the World' (1957).
She was a frequent panelist on the game show 'Hollywood Squares' in the 1960s and 70s.
“I was just a working actress, and I was happy to be one.”
