Rebecca Balding dies at 73

Prolific television and theater actress Rebecca Baldingbest known for appearing opposite Billy Crystal in his breakout role in a soap opera parody sitcom Soapalready died. According to her husband James L. ConwayShe passed away on July 18 after a bout of ovarian cancer. For some time she did not appear on the screen, her last role was the role Alyssa Milanoboss in original Charmed from 1998 to 2006. She was 73 at the time of her death.

Balding’s career didn’t start in Hollywood, but in Chicago, where she began as a theater actress. In 1976, she landed her first television gig, appearing in two episodes of an Emmy-winning action film. Bionic womanstarting a string of guest appearances, including Lou Grant, rockford filesas well as Starsky and Hutch. Along the way, Bolding will play a couple of roles in TV movies. Collection as well as death gamethe last one saw her as a girl James Cromwellthe deputy himself Andy GriffithAbel March. Before boarding Soapshe also received a recurring spot on Doing it like Corky Crandall.

Her big break in soap became part of a controversial storyline in which her character Carol David is revealed to be the mother of baby Jody Dallas (Crystal). Carol played the role of a soap opera villain, seducing gay Jody for a one night stand to have a baby, leaving him at the altar after he wanted to marry her due to parental obligations, and then kidnapping the baby. when she ends up losing the custody battle. It was a quirky storyline that cemented it in the show’s history as one of the most devious and memorable. She eventually left once the baby fight was over, moving on to more TV appearances on shows like MacGyver, Family bondsas well as Beverly Hills, 90210.

After Soapshe got a few more recurring gigs, appearing in a few episodes for Paradise and later played an important role in Charmed like Eliza Rothman. Eliza worked as an editor for a fictional publication. Bay Mirror where Phoebe Halliwell from Milano wrote an advice column. She appeared in 23 episodes from the show’s inception in 1998 to 2006.

Despite often appearing in sitcoms or television dramas, Balding was also a classic scream queen, appearing in horror films such as silent scream as well as bougins. The latest film paired her with husband Conway behind the camera. Her cousin, a horror veteran and Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 star Caroline Williamsshared a tribute on Twitter celebrating her long and varied career, which you can read below, our deepest condolences to Balding’s loved ones.