The FORTRESS of SOLITUDE

From the Dallas Star

Dallas Star Barbara Bel Geddes Dies at 82
August 10, 2005
By Marc Berman

Barbara Bel Geddes, the veteran stage and screen actress known to millions as matriarch Miss Ellie Ewing on CBS serial Dallas, died Monday of lung cancer at her home in Northeast Harbor, Maine. She was 82-years old.

Born in New York City on Oct. 31, 1922 to noted theatrical designer Norman Bel Geddes, young Barbara made her stage debut at age 18. Her first theatrical role was seven years later in 1947 Henry Fonda drama, The Long Night. One year later, her star rose significantly as Katrin Hanson in beloved family drama, I Remember Mama, which resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Other notable movie roles included Elia Kazan drama Panic in the Streets (1950), Alfred Hitchcock thriller Vertigo (1958) and The Five Pennies opposite Danny Kaye in 1959.

At the same time, Bel Geddes was making a name for herself on the small screen with guest appearances on Robert Montgomery Presents, Toast of the Town, On Trial, and Studio One. Fans of anthology Alfred Hitchcock Presents will remember Bel Geddes as the sweet widow/murderer in the episode titled, “Lamb to the Slaughter.” She was also nominated for Tony Awards as Best Dramatic Actress for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 1956, and Mary, Mary in 1961.

When CBS announced it was producing a new limited series in 1978 called Dallas, critics took notice upon hearing Bel Geddes had signed on for the role as kind but stern Miss Ellie Ewing. Although the initial order was for just six episodes, Dallas went on to become one of the most popular dramas in the history of television, running for 13-years, and spawning Knots Landing, which actually ran for one season longer.

After leaving her Emmy winning role on Dallas in 1984 after six seasons, Bel Geddes returned in 1985 (following Donna Reed’s ill-fated turn as Miss Ellie) and stayed with the serial for another five years.

Her final on-camera appearance was in 1997 documentary, Obsessed with Vertigo.