Featured Memorial | Noreen Corcoran

Noreen Corcoran, the actress who starred as Kelly Gregg, a teenager adopted by her uncle on the popular sitcom “Bachelor Father,” has died. She was 72.

Noreen and her siblings studied acting as children. During the 1950s, Noreen's younger brother Kevin Corcoran gained fame in the role of Moochie on Walt Disney's “The Adventures of Spin and Marty.” Noreen appeared in movie and television roles before she was cast on “Bachelor Father.” She played the role of Anna in the movie “Tusitala” which starred David Niven. She also appeared on the television series “Circus Boy” which starred future Monkee Mickey Dolenz.

She was recommended for the role of Kelly Gregg on “Bachelor Father” by Ronald Reagan. In the show, Kelly becomes an orphan at thirteen when her parents are killed in an automobile accident. She is then adopted and raised by her bachelor Uncle Bentley who was played by John Forsythe. She was very popular during her run on the series and was featured frequently on magazine covers.

After the series ended, she had a supporting role in “Gidget Goes to Rome” and also appeared on many television series including “Mr. Novak” and “The Big Valley.” She left acting for a career behind the scenes in theatre arts and dance.