Sharon Farrell was an actress best known for her roles in the films “It’s Alive,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “The Stunt Man,” and “Marlowe,” as well as her seven-year run as Florence Webster on “The Young and the Restless.”
- Died: May 15, 2023 (Who else died on May 15?)
- Details of death: Died of natural causes in Orange County, California, at the age of 82.
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Sharon Farrell’s legacy
Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Farrell prepared for the stage from a young age, studying ballet and theater in high school before going on tour with the American Ballet Theatre Company. She made her screen debut in 1959 at 18, enjoying a series of small roles in shows like “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “My Favorite Martian,” and “Gunsmoke” throughout the ‘60s.
With the films “Marlowe” and “The Reivers,” both released in 1969, she earned wider recognition, acting alongside stars like James Garner, Carroll O’Connor, and Steve McQueen. Her career almost ended in 1970, however, when she suffered an embolism while giving birth, causing brain damage. McQueen suggested she keep her illness a secret, and she privately worked to regain her memory and mobility.
She continued to garner recognition with the 1974 Larry Cohen horror film, “It’s Alive,” and won praise for her work in 1980’s “The Stunt Man.” In the 1980s, she also appeared in “Night of the Comet,” “Lone Wolf McQuade,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love,” where she played Cindy Mancini’s mom.
On television, Farrell appeared in dozens of shows, including 12 episodes of “Saints and Sinners,” 14 episodes of “Hawaii Five-O,” and most notably, a seven-year run on “The Young and the Restless” as Florence Webster.
Tributes to Sharon Farrell
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
