Additional Coverage:
- Priscilla Pointer, ‘Dallas’ and ‘Carrie’ actor and mom to Oscar nominee Amy Irving, dies at 100 (latimes.com)
Priscilla Pointer, ‘Carrie’ and ‘Dallas’ Star, Dies at 100
Priscilla Pointer, the accomplished stage and screen actress known for her roles in the film “Carrie” and the television series “Dallas,” passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, just shy of her 101st birthday. Her family confirmed the news, sharing that she was surrounded by loved ones.
Pointer’s daughter, Academy Award-nominated actress Amy Irving, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media: “She died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 100, hopefully to run off with her 2 adoring husbands and her many dogs. She most definitely will be missed.”
Pointer’s career spanned decades, beginning on the New York stage in the 1940s. She met her first husband, Jules Irving, in post-World War II Europe while performing in an army production of “Brother Rat.”
Together they founded the Actor’s Workshop in San Francisco, which later took up residence at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York City. Irving served as artistic director of Lincoln Center from 1965 to 1972.
After Irving’s death in 1979, Pointer married Robert Symonds, a former colleague from the Actor’s Workshop. The pair shared a deep love for the theater, often working together on stage and screen. Their collaborations included the film “Micki & Maude” and several stage productions.
Pointer’s notable television credits include a recurring role on “Dallas” as Rebecca Barnes Wentworth, the matriarch of a rival oil family. She also appeared alongside her daughter, Amy Irving, in the 1976 horror classic “Carrie,” playing the mother of Irving’s character.
Even after Symonds’ passing in 2007, Pointer continued to act, demonstrating her enduring passion for the craft.
Remembered as a “natural beauty” with a regal yet casual presence, Pointer leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impact on the world of theater and film. She is survived by her three children, David, Katie, and Amy, and numerous grandchildren.