Betty Harford, Television's Beloved Character Actress, Passes at 98

Betty Harford, the character actress whose warm presence graced American television for nearly four decades, died on November 2, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California. She was 98. The passing of Betty Harford was confirmed by her longtime friend Wendy Mitchell, who announced the news on Facebook. Born on January 28, 1927, in New York City, Harford became one of television’s most recognizable supporting players, appearing in some of the medium’s most enduring programs.

From Television’s Golden Age to Prime Time Success

Harford’s journey into the entertainment industry began in 1951 when she made her television debut on the anthology series Fireside Theatre. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she established herself as a familiar and reliable presence on the small screen, securing guest appearances on numerous acclaimed dramas including Lux Video Theatre, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Richard Diamond Private Eye, and Gunsmoke. In 1956, she lent her voice to the stop-motion children’s series The Gumby Show, voicing the character Gumba—a role she would return to nearly four decades later in 1994. That same year marked her feature-film debut with an uncredited appearance in the Leslie Caron drama Gaby.

The Paper Chase and Dynasty: Her Defining Roles

Betty Harford secured her first regular television role in 1978-79 on CBS’s The Paper Chase, a legal drama adapted from the acclaimed film. She portrayed Ms. Nottingham, the capable and devoted secretary to Professor Charles Kingsfield, played by John Houseman. When Showtime later revived the series in 1983, Harford reprised her role, cementing her connection to the character. However, it was her role as Hilda Gunnerson on ABC’s Dynasty that would define much of her career. Appearing throughout the show’s entire nine-season run from 1981 to 1989, she portrayed the Carrington family’s cherished cook with a warmth that made her a viewer favorite. Harford returned to the role one final time for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion.

Film Career and Lasting Legacy

In addition to her prolific television work, Betty Harford appeared in several notable films. Her feature-film credits include The Wild and the Innocent (1959), Inside Daisy Clover (1965) opposite the legendary Natalie Wood, and The China Syndrome (1979), the Oscar-nominated thriller featuring Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and Michael Douglas. These roles, though often supporting in nature, demonstrated her range and versatility as a performer.

Betty Harford is survived by her son, Chris, from her first marriage, and her grandsons. Her contributions to television during its formative decades remain a testament to the craft of character acting.