Rebecca Balding, best known for her roles in “Soap” and “Charmed,” died on Monday, according to her husband, actor-director James L. Conway. She was 73 years old. Conway said that Balding died of ovarian cancer in Park City, Utah.
Balding was born in 1955 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and began her career on stage in Chicago before moving to Hollywood, where she appeared in numerous TV shows, beginning with a two-episode role as a Russian spy on “The Bionic Woman.”
She is, however, well recognized for her role as Carol David, an attorney, in 19 episodes of “Soap” from 1977 to 1981.
In the beginning of the series, she has an affair with a guy named Jodie (played by Billy Crystal) and becomes pregnant as a result.
In 1998, Balding appeared in a season one episode of “Charmed.” From 2002 until the show’s conclusion in 2006, she played Alyssa Milano’s superior.
She has appeared in “Makin’ It,” “Lou Grant,” “The Gathering,” “Mr. and Mrs. and Mr.,” as well as the 1977 film “Deadly Game” with Andy Griffith and James Cromwell. She was also in the horror films “Sil
Her most recent cinematic appearance was in the 2005 drama “Yesterday’s Dreams.”
Conway, her children Sarah and Kathleen, and grandchildren survive her.
In the first two seasons of ABC’s notorious spoof of daytime soaps, Balding had a significant turn. She played evil attorney Carol David, who seduces gay Jodie (Bily Crystal) after meeting her.
She becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with him. She later pressures Jodie to move in together before revealing that she is carrying his child. He then proposes in order to fulfill his filial duty, and she accepts — only to not show up for their wedding. Carol gave birth to a daughter shortly thereafter, but Jodie fought
She is a three-time Emmy Award winner for her work on The Golden Girls, New Beginnings and The Golden Palace. During the late ’70s and early ’80s, she appeared in the TV shows Making It (for which she won an Emmy), Lou Grant, and New Beginnings. She played Corky Crandall
In 1978, she made her film debut in the classic Christmas TV movie The Gathering, as well as the film’s sequel. In 1977, Balding acted with Andy Griffith and James Cromwell in the television film Deadly Game. Her credits on television include Melrose Place, Beverly Hills 90210, Home Improvement, MacGyver, and Family Ties.
She made her screen debut in the 1960 exploitation film Scream, which featured a masked killer. Balding has also appeared in horror films like Silent Scream and The Boogens. She most recently acted in 2005’s Yesterday’s Dreams.
Soap was an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 13, 1977 to April 20, 1981. The show was created by Susan Harris, and executive produced by Tony Thomas and Susan Harris.
The series centers around the lives of the Bradford family, a fictional upper-middle class family living in Connecticut. The show originally focused on the mother, Jessica Tate (Katherine Helmond), and her best friend, Mary Campbell (Doris Roberts). The two women were constantly at odds with each other, but remained close friends despite their differences.
The show later expanded its focus to include the lives of Jessica’s husband, Chester Tate (Robert Mandan), and their four children: eldest son Corinne (Jennifer Salt), rebellious daughter Susan (Diana Canova), and youngest twins Brian and Caroline (Brian Patrick Clarke and Jennifer Runyon).
Soap was known for its outrageous humor, taboo-breaking storylines, and willingness to push the envelope. The show frequently featured edgy material that would not have been allowed on television just a few years earlier.
Despite its often controversial content, Soap was a ratings success, and was one of the highest-rated shows on television during its four-season run. The show’s final episode was watched by over 21 million people, and is still considered one of the most memorable television finales of all time.
