Joan Hotchkis, a veteran American stage, screen and television actress, writer and performance artist has died. She was born on September 21, 1927 and passed away on September 27, 2022, six days after celebrating her 95th birthday.
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Born in Los Angeles, Hotchkis got her start in show business in 1954 after she landed the leading role of Lizzie in “The Rainmaker” at Hollywood’s Players Ring theater.
Hotchkis, who was then a rising star moved to New York, where she joined the Actor’s studio and appeared in various TV commercials and guest spots.
Hotchkis was the female lead opposite William Windom on My World and Welcome To It (1969-70).
She is perhaps best known for;
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- Playing Dr. Nancy Cunningham for several seasons on The Odd Couple,
- Co-writing with Eric Morris the seminal acting manual “No Acting Please” (1977), which is still used in colleges and conservatories, and
- For her groundbreaking performance art works in the 1990s.
Throughout the 1970s, she guest starred on many shows including;
- Lou Grant,
- Charlie’s Angels,
- Mannix,
- The New Dick Van Dyke Show,
- St. Elsewhere,
- Marcus Welby,
- Barnaby Jones and
- The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts in 1980.
On the big screen, she had roles in The Late Liz, and Old Boyfriends.
She co-starred opposite William Holden in the film Breezy (1973), directed by Clint Eastwood and also co-starred with Robby Benson and Glynnis O’Connor as Anna “Mama” Hartley in the cult classic, Ode to Billie Joe (1976).
In her final credited role, Hotchkis appeared as Madeleine in the 1993 TV movie “The Disappearance Of Christina.”
Hotchkis’ funeral will be private.
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