The Young and the Restless, Guiding Light Alum Ellen Weston Dies at 87
Actress and songwriter Ellen Weston — an alum of Young and Restless, Guiding Light, and Another World who had a prolific career in television, film, Broadway, and music — passed away at the age of 87. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Weston died on May 28 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
A Life Lived To The Fullest
Born in New York, Weston attended the Performing Arts High School, Hofstra University, New York University, and Hunter College before landing her first Broadway gig in 1960 as an understudy in the drama Toys in the Attic. She went on to appear in the Broadway productions of A Far Country in 1961 and Mary, Mary in 1962 before making her way to television. Weston’s daytime debut came playing Robin Fletcher on GL from 1963-64 (one of six actresses to take on the character, who, during Weston’s stint, secretly married Alex Fletcher). She then moved on to play both Carol Pearson and nurse Karen Gregory on AW from 1964-65. Between 1978 and 1980, Weston made a handful of appearances on Y&R as Suzanne, the vengeful ex-wife of hairdresser Derek Thurston. Jill Foster and Katherine Chancellor vied for Derek’s affection, and in 1978, Suzanne infamously poisoned Katherine into a state of psychosis.
Weston also had several notable prime time roles, such as Dr. Steele on NBC’s Get Smart and as Hondo’s wife, Betty, on ABC’s S.W.A.T. Her primetime resume also includes spots on Run For Your Life, Bonanza, Bewitched, Barnaby Jones, The Bob Newhart Show, Wonder Woman, and more. The performer was a successful lyricist as well, having co-written songs with Lesley Gore for the singer’s albums Someplace Else Now and Love Me By Name.
Later in her life, Weston attended law school and transitioned to a career behind the camera, working as a writer. In addition to penning many movie scripts (including co-writing the 1999 ABC telepic And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story with Sonny Bono), Weston landed in the writer’s room at Capitol in 1986. Then, in 2003, GL executive producer John Conboy tapped her for head writer duties on that soap.
During her year-long tenure as GL’s top scribe, Weston was honored with a Writers Guild of America Award for her work. “I love it,” Weston told Soap Opera Digest of penning the daytime drama. “One of the first jobs I had as a kid was on GL. So, I really have an affinity for this show. I also love the form. I like to think of every day as a mini movie. It starts in one place and ends [in another], and we take the story further each day. That is a satisfying way of telling stories.”
Previously married to music engineer Ami Hadani and composer Marvin Laird, Weston is survived by a son, sound designer Jon Weston. Digest sends its deepest condolences to Weston’s family and friends during this difficult time.
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