Sian Barbara Allen

One of the most popular television actresses of the 1970s and 80s and Golden Globe nominee, Sian Barbara Allen, has died of Alzheimer's Disease at 78 on March 31, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Sian was born in Reading, PA on July 12, 1946 and raised by her mother, Ruth Pokrass, with support from her grandmother, Etta Berger. Upon graduation from high school, she accepted a scholarship to the Pasadena Playhouse, where she had her first encounter with success and glowing reviews. Sian also studied with the influential Peggy Feury as a member of the Journeyman program at the Mark Taper Forum.

As her talent matured, her opportunities grew. She was soon hired as one of the last contract players at Universal Studios. Sian quickly began to have starring roles in most of the successful television series of the times, including THE WALTONS, MARCUS WELBY, MD, BONANZA, GUNSMOKE, CAGNEY AND LACEY, LOVE AMERICAN STYLE, THE ROCKFORD FILES, COLUMBO, ADAM-12, KOJAK, HAWAII 5-0 and THE INCREDIBLE HULK, among many others. She was also the first woman to write a script that was produced for BARETTA, in 1978.

Sian appeared in a long list of films with major stars (who almost always became friends). In 1972, she starred in YOU'LL LIKE MY MOTHER with Patty Duke, Rosemary Murphy and Richard Thomas; and for that film, was nominated for a Golden Globe as the Most Promising New Actress. That role was quickly followed in 1973 by SCREAM PRETTY PEGGY with Bette Davis; a 1974 western, BILLY TWO HATS, with Gregory Peck and Jack Warden; and in 1975 a TV movie called ERIC opposite Claude Akins, John Savage and Patricia Neal. In 1976, Sian played Ann Morrow Lindbergh opposite Anthony Hopkins and Cliff DeYoung in THE LINDBERGH KIDNAPPING CASE.

Sian was most often cast in roles in which her characters showed great vulnerability and uncommon empathy, which won her a legion of fans all over the world. Sian also performed in the theatre. One of her favorite roles was Emily Webb in OUR TOWN at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 1976. Sian later named her daughter Emily in honor of this beloved character.

One of Sian's proudest achievements was receiving the Key to the City of her hometown, Reading, PA.

After her withdrawal from public life in 1990, Sian maintained an intense focus on politics. Along with then-husband, Peter, and daughter, Emily, they volunteered for Jackie Goldberg's 1993 city council campaign in Los Angeles. Sian was a staunch supporter of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers and never crossed a picket line in her entire life. Sian was also a remarkable poet and leaves behind boxes of writing that her family will be able to read for a very long time.

Sian's favorite things in the world were her family, mystery books, C-SPAN, poetry, all things Ireland, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon's Graceland album, mac and cheese, root beer floats and bacon cheeseburgers (no lettuce or tomato). She lived her final year of life in North Carolina, surrounded by all of her favorite things, new friends, and more time with Emily than she'd had in 35 years.

Sian is survived by her daughter, Emily Fonseca (Max Fonseca), two sisters, Hannah Davie and Meg Pokrass, nephew, Miles Bond, ex-husband, Peter Gelblum, cousins Marcy, Mike, and Mark Reuben and grandson, Arlo Fonseca, who made her laugh more than anyone could dream.

In lieu of a service, Emily asks that you choose from the following actions to honor Sian:

- Donate to a local, grassroots organization working to combat systems of oppression

- Donate to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice of Burlington who ensured Sian spent her final months peaceful and free of pain. Please consider directing your gift to support patients and families needing financial assistance to provide for loved ones.

- Read your favorite book in bed

- Listen to the entire Graceland album or any of Bob Dylan's music

- Eat some mac and cheese, a bacon cheeseburger or drink a rootbeer float

- Share a favorite memory of Sian here