Sian Barbara Allen, an esteemed actress renowned for her roles in “The Waltons” and “Scream, Pretty Peggy,” has passed away at the age of 78. She died on March 31, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on July 12, 1946, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Allen embarked on an acting career in the 1970s, securing roles in numerous television series such as “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” and “Columbo.” She gained prominence for her portrayal of Jenny Pendleton in “The Waltons,” acting alongside Richard Thomas. In 1972, her performance in “You’ll Like My Mother” earned her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year.
Beyond acting, Allen made history in 1978 as the first woman to pen a script for the TV series “Baretta.” Later in life, she shifted focus towards political activism, supporting causes such as the United Farm Workers and volunteering for political campaigns.
Allen is survived by her daughter, Emily Fonseca; grandson, Arlo Fonseca; sisters, Hannah Davie and Meg Pokrass; nephew, Miles Bond; and ex-husband, Peter Gelblum. Her family has requested that donations in her memory be made to organizations combating oppression or to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice in Burlington.
