Sadly August 8th 2023 brought us the news that cult film actress and television favourite Sharon Farrell died May 15th at the age of 82.
Beginning her showbusiness career all the way back in 1959, Farrell’s first credited role was in Kiss Them Goodbye. Soon after this the actress would find a comfortable niche in television, appearing multiple times on shows such as Gunsmoke, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Dr Kildare, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
During this time Farrell would continue to appear in feature films, landing supporting roles opposite Hollywood elite such as Kirk Douglas, Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, and Tony Curtis.
However, it is for her genre work that Farrell is perhaps most notable outside of television. Beginning in 1974, Farrell would land the first of several horror projects with the co-lead in Larry Cohen’s demon baby flick It’s Alive. After playing Lenore, a wife torn between her demon spawn and her husband, Farrell next appeared in The Premonition opposite Richard Lynch in 1976. Sweet Sixteen saw Farrell enter the booming slasher sub-genre in 1983, as well as reunite with former co-star Bo Hopkins.
It is likely the genre role Sharon Farrell will best be remembered for is her turn in the 1984 cult classic Night of the Comet. In the surprising box-office hit, Farrell plays Doris, the stepmother of lead characters Sam and Reggie, played by Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart.
With a turn in the series Freddy’s Nightmares marking her final genre role in 1991, Farrell would largely settle into television after landing a five-year run on the soap opera Guiding Light. However, she did continue to make occasional film appearances, such as in Can’t Buy Me Love opposite Patrick Dempsey.
Sharon Farrell’s last on-screen appearance occurred in 2014 before the actress retired due to health concerns. It is unknown why her death was kept quiet for so many months, but the industry will most definitely miss her. Rest easy, Sharon.
