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Sharon Farrell

Actor

Sharon Farrell

Born December 24, 1940 in Sioux City, Iowa, U.SDied May 15, 202339 films

Sharon Farrell (born Sharon Forsmoe; December 24, 1940 – May 15, 2023) was an American television and film actress, and dancer. Originally beginning her career as a ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre company, Farrell made her film debut in 1959 in Kiss Her Goodbye, followed by roles in 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962), A Lovely Way to Die (1968), and the neo-noir Marlowe (1969). She worked prolifically in television, including recurring parts in the series Saints and Sinners (1962), Dr. Kildare (1965), and Hawaii Five-O (1980).

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Farrell was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to Hazel Ruth (née Huffman) and Darrel LaValle Forsmoe. She was of Norwegian descent, and was raised with sister, Dale Candice, in a Lutheran family. During her childhood, Farrell studied ballet and was involved in the theater department during high school. Farrell toured with the American Ballet Theatre Company as a dancer, which brought her to New York City.

In New York, Farrell began her acting career in the theater, appearing in productions of "The Crucible" and "A View from the Bridge". She made her film debut in 1959 in Kiss Her Goodbye, and went on to appear in a number of films in the 1960s, including 40 Pounds of Trouble, A Lovely Way to Die, and Marlowe.

Farrell's television career began in the early 1960s, with appearances in such series as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Gunsmoke, and Dr. Kildare. She had a recurring role on the soap opera Saints and Sinners from 1962 to 1963, and starred in the short-lived series The Last Ride of the Dalton Gang in 1967. In 1980, she joined the cast of Hawaii Five-O, playing the role of Lori Wilson for two seasons.

Farrell was also active in the horror genre, appearing in the films It's Alive (1974) and Night of the Comet (1984). She continued to work in television and film throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and her final film appearance was in the 2000 comedy Can't Buy Me Love.

In addition to her acting career, Farrell was also a dancer and choreographer. She taught dance at the University of California, Los Angeles, and was a member of the board of directors of the American Ballet Theatre.

Farrell was married five times, to Andrew Prine, Ron DeBlasio, Steve Salkin, and Dale Trevillion. She had one son, Chance Boyer, from her marriage to Prine.

Farrell died on May 15, 2023, at the age of 82, from natural causes. She was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.

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The best way into Sharon Farrell's work
Can't Buy Me Love posterFirst watchCan't Buy Me Love19876.9as Mrs. ManciniNerdy high schooler Ronald Miller rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini from parental punishment after she accidentally destroys her mother's designer clothes.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

39 films as actor
  1. 1998Scream Again
  2. 1997Last Chance LoveMrs. Worthington
  3. 1996White CargoSenator's Wife
  4. 1996Timeless ObsessionMrs. Sparrow
  5. 1995Beyond DesireShirley
  6. 1994A Gift from HeavenMa Samuals
  7. 1993ArcadeAlex's Mom
  8. 1993Sworn to Vengeance
  9. 1991Lonely HeartsLouise
  10. 1989One Man ForceShirley
  11. 1987Can't Buy Me LoveMrs. Mancini
  12. 1984Night of the CometDoris
  13. 1983Lone Wolf McQuadeMolly McQuade
  14. 1983Sweet SixteenKathy Hopkins
  15. 1981Born to Be SoldJoan Helick
  16. 1981Separate WaysKaren Haskell
  17. 1981Out of the BlueKathy
  18. 1980The Stunt ManDenise
  19. 1980Rage!Dottie
  20. 1979The Last Ride of the Dalton GangFlo Quick
  21. 1978The Fifth FloorMelanie
  22. 1978The Young RunawaysMamma Doyle
  23. 1978Confessions of the D.A. ManGeorgia Young
  24. 1976The PremonitionSheri
  25. 1974The Cloning of Clifford Swimmer
  26. 1974The Underground ManMarty Nickerson
  27. 1974It's AliveLenore Davis
  28. 1973Big John MorrisonBobbie
  29. 1973A Little Bit Like MurderLinda
  30. 1972The Eyes of Charles SandEmily Parkhurst
  31. 1971The Love MachineMaggie Stewart
  32. 1970QuarantinedGinny Pepper
  33. 1969The ReiversCorrie
  34. 1969MarloweOrfamay Quest
  35. 1968A Lovely Way to DieCarol
  36. 1966Not With My Wife, You Don't!Model (uncredited)
  37. 1965The Spy with My FaceSandy Wister
  38. 196240 Pounds of TroubleDolores
  39. 1959Kiss Her GoodbyeEmily Wilson (as Sharon Forsino)