Get Smart’s Ellen Weston has died at the age of 87.
Death Announcement
The actress, who played Dr. Steele in the NBC sitcom, passed away on May 28 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Her friend, producer and manager Susan Zachary, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.
Ellen’s friends described her as “a rare person who had both right and left-brain proficiency … she was as skilled at a legal brief as she was with a knitting needle.”
The statement to the outlet added, “She was our consigliere dispensing advice, wisdom, compassion and care in equal measure – especially when we most needed an ear, a shoulder and a true confidante. She was beyond a loyal friend – she was a fierce advocate for every single one of us. She took excellent care of herself, always tastefully put together with gorgeous outfits, the perfect makeup and more.”
“Up until the very end, she was still dancing and taking new classes; the latest was a pottery class taught by a dear friend that ended a month before her passing.”
Ellen is survived by her son, sound designer Jon Weston.
Early Stages of Career
Born Ellen Weinstein in New York on April 19, 1939, she developed a fascination with performing at an early age.
After studying at the Performing Arts High School, Hofstra University, New York University, and Hunter College, Weston realized her Broadway ambitions in 1960 when she joined the cast of Toys in the Attic as an understudy alongside Jason Robards Jr. and Maureen Stapleton.
She later appeared in A Far Country before joining the long-running Broadway comedy Mary, Mary.
Ellen eventually found an even wider audience on television, appearing in likes of The Young and the Restless (Suzanne Thursto), Get Smart (Dr. Steele), and S.W.A.T. (Betty Harrelson).
She has also guest-starred in the likes of Bewitched (Contessa Piranha), The Twilight Zone, and The Guiding Light (Robin Fletcher).
Outside of Acting
Away from acting, the entertainer formed a successful songwriting partnership with Lesley Gore, writing seven songs for the singer’s 1972 comeback album Someplace Else Now, before penning every track on 1975’s Love Me by Name, produced by Quincy Jones.
Weston was previously married to music engineer Ami Hadani and composer Marvin Laird. Both marriages ended in divorce.
Ellen also enjoyed dancing and did a pottery class a month before she died.