Joanna Moore (born Dorothy Joanne Cook; November 10, 1934 – November 22, 1997) was an American film and television actress, who, between 1956 and 1976, appeared in 17 feature films and guest-starred in nearly a hundred television series episodes. After 1976, personal problems derailed her career and she landed only two minor film roles.

Joanna Moore
Moore in 1964
Born
Dorothy Joanne Cook[1]

(1934-11-10)November 10, 1934
DiedNovember 22, 1997(1997-11-22) (aged 63)
Resting placeOak Grove Cemetery, Americus, Georgia, U.S.
Other namesJoanna Cook Moore
Alma materAgnes Scott College
OccupationActress
Years active1957–1986
Known for
Spouses
  • Willis Moore
    (m. 1951; div. 1952)
(m. 1956; div. 1957)

(m. 1963; div. 1967)
Gary L. Reeves
(m. 1975; div. 1977)
ChildrenTatum O'Neal
Griffin O'Neal

From 1963 to 1967, she was married to actor Ryan O'Neal, with whom she had two children, Griffin O'Neal and Tatum O'Neal.

Moore's career hit its peak in the 1960s. During that time, she guest-starred in several popular shows, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, The Fugitive, Bewitched and The Real McCoys. One of her recurring roles was as Sheriff Andy Taylor's love interest, Peggy "Peg" McMillan in four episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, from 1962 to 1963. Moore was a guest star in such television Westerns as The Rifleman, Wagon Train (S1E2 & S7E25), Gunsmoke (title character twice; S5E21's "Coleen So Green" & S10E34's "Honey Pot"), The Rebel, The High Chaparral, The Wild Wild West and The Virginian. By the 1970s, her career began to wane because of her drug and alcohol addictions. Moore made her final onscreen appearance in 1986, and died of lung cancer in 1997.

Early life

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Moore was born Dorothy Joanne Cook in Americus, Georgia, the elder of two daughters of Dorothy Martha (née English) and Henry Anderson Cook III.[1] In 1941, when she was a child, her parents and younger sister were involved in a fatal car accident: her mother and sister died immediately, while her father died from his injuries a year later. Moore was then adopted by a wealthy local family and changed her name from Dorothy to Joanna.[2]

Career

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1950s

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Moore made her television debut in the November 8, 1956 episode of Lux Video Theatre. The following year, she made her film debut in the 1957 crime drama Appointment with a Shadow. Later that year, she appeared in episodes of Goodyear Theatre and Harbormaster, along with another film, Slim Carter. In 1958, she had a small role in the film noir classic Touch of Evil with Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh and Marlene Dietrich, followed by more substantial roles in the horror film Monster on the Campus and the Western Ride a Crooked Trail.

From 1958 to 1959, Moore landed guest spots on television, including Westinghouse Studio One, Suspicion, The Rough Riders, Bourbon Street Beat, Bat Masterson, The Real McCoys, Maverick, The Rifleman and Riverboat. She made a guest appearance on Perry Mason as the title character in the 1958 episode "The Case of the Terrified Typist".

1960s

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During the 1960s, Moore continued her career guest-starring on numerous television shows in addition to film appearances. From 1960 to 1961, she guest-starred on Five Fingers, The Rebel, Hong Kong, The Untouchables, 77 Sunset Strip, Going My Way and Empire.

In 1962, Moore appeared as Miss Precious in Walk on the Wild Side with Jane Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck and Capucine, followed by the musical Follow That Dream with Elvis Presley. That same year, Moore appeared in four episodes of The Andy Griffith Show as Peggy "Peg" McMillan, Sheriff Taylor's love interest, and guest-starred on the Route 66 episode "There I Am – There I Always Am". In 1963, she co-starred in Son of Flubber and was cast in The Man from Galveston, intended as the pilot for Temple Houston. Also that year, she made a second guest appearance on Perry Mason as Grace Olney in "The Case of the Reluctant Model". In 1964, she guest-starred on Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre.

From 1965 to 1967, Moore guest starred on The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Rogues, My Three Sons, Peyton Place (starring Moore's then-husband, Ryan O'Neal), Daniel Boone, Cowboy in Africa and Iron Horse. In 1967, Moore appeared as Daphne Harper, a snob and former college beauty queen chum of Darrin's, in the "Charlie Harper, Winner" episode of Bewitched. During the time, Moore also had an uncredited role as Angie, the widow of Jesse Cole, in Nevada Smith starring Steve McQueen.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Moore also made multiple appearances on The Millionaire, The Andy Griffith Show, The United States Steel Hour, Route 66, Wagon Train, Alfred Hitchcock Presents (and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour), Hawaiian Eye, Alcoa Premiere, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, The Virginian, The High Chaparral and The F.B.I.

1970s and 1980s

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During the 1970s, Moore continued with guest roles on Nanny and the Professor, The Governor & J.J. and McCloud. In 1973, she appeared in the television adaption of the 1954 film Three Coins in the Fountain, also starring Yvonne Craig and Cynthia Pepper. In 1974, she appeared on The Waltons in the episode entitled "The Departure". In 1975, she co-starred in the feature film The Hindenburg. The next year, she guest-starred on Petrocelli and The Blue Knight and made two appearances on Bronk.

By the late 1970s, Moore's career had begun to wane owing to personal problems. Her only two on-screen appearances after 1976 were in a supporting role in the 1980 television film Scout's Honor starring Gary Coleman and a bit part in the 1986 Australian film Run Chrissie Run!

Personal life and death

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Hearing loss

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In the early 1960s, Moore became deaf as a result of otosclerosis, which her doctor said resulted from a deposit of calcium in her middle ear. Moore said that she had to read lips to understand what people were saying. An operation restored her hearing in 1962.[3]

Marriages and children

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On April 3, 1963, Moore married her third husband, actor Ryan O'Neal.[4] The couple had two children: Tatum O'Neal and Griffin O'Neal.[5] The marriage was tempestuous and the couple separated in early 1966.[6] In February 1967, their divorce became final.[2]

In February 1975, she married roofing contractor Gary L. Reeves.[7]

Drug and alcohol addiction

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In 1970, Moore checked into the Camarillo State Hospital for psychiatric treatment. The next year, she was arrested for drunk driving after getting into a fight while she and their children were visiting O'Neal's Malibu home. After her arrest, she lost custody of her children.[2]

By the late 1970s, she was being supported financially by her daughter, Tatum, who had become an Academy Award-winning actress at age 10 and one of the highest-paid child stars of the era. The children were still in Ryan O'Neal's custody and, despite treatment, Moore continued to be addicted to drugs and alcohol. As a result, she was arrested five times for DUI during the 1980s.[2]

Death

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Moore was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1996. On November 22, 1997, she died 12 days after her 63rd birthday. Her daughter Tatum was by her side at the time of her death. Moore's ashes were taken to her home town of Americus, Georgia.[2]

Selected filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
1957 Appointment with a Shadow Penny Spencer Alternative title: If I Should Die
1957 Slim Carter Charlene Carroll
1958 Flood Tide Barbara Brooks
1958 Touch of Evil Marcia Linnekar
1958 Ride a Crooked Trail Little Brandy
1958 Monster on the Campus Madeline Howard
1959 The Last Angry Man Alice Taggart
1962 Walk on the Wild Side Miss Precious
1962 Follow That Dream Alicia Claypoole
1963 Son of Flubber Desiree de la Roche
1963 The Man from Galveston Rita Dillard
1966 Nevada Smith Angie Coe, Saloon Girl & Widow of Jesse Coe Uncredited
1968 Countdown Mickey Stegler
1968 Never a Dull Moment Melanie Smooth
1972 J.C. Miriam Wages Alternative title: Iron Horsemen
1975 The Hindenburg Mrs. Channing
1986 Run Chrissie Run! Cricket coach Alternative title: Moving Targets, (final film role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1956 Lux Video Theatre Stephanie Season 7 Episode 8: "Jezebel"
1957 Goodyear Theater Alice Bowles Season 1 Episode 2: "Lost and Found"
1958 Bachelor Father Diana Webster Season 2 Episode 2: "Parent's Night"
1958 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Judy Archer Season 3 Episode 33: "Post-Mortem"
1958 Kraft Television Theatre Paula Carter Season 11 Episode 43: "Death for Sale"
1958 Perry Mason Patricia Taylor Season 1 Episode 38: "The Case of the Terrified Typist"
1959 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Virginia Pond Season 4 Episode 36: "Invitation to an Accident"
1959 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Cindy Rainey Season 5 Episode 5: "No Pain"
1959 Maverick Linda Season 3 Episode 8: "The Lass with the Poisonous Air"
1959 The Rifleman Eleanor Claremont Season 2 Episode 4: "Obituary"
1960 Tales of Wells Fargo Arlene Howell Season 4 Episode 18: "The Easterner"
1960 Gunsmoke Colleen Tawny Season 5 Episode 29: "Colleen So Green"
1960 Gunsmoke Cherry O'Dell Season 5 Episode 39: "Cherry Red"
1960 Adventures in Paradise Ricky Season 1 Episode 21: "The Siege of Troy"
1961 The Brothers Brannagan Amanda Barnes Season 1 Episode 38: "A Matter of Millions"
1961 Follow the Sun Constance Season 1 Episode 14: "The Far Side of Nowhere"
1961 Route 66 Trinket Season 1 Episode 26: "A Skill for Hunting"
1962 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Louise Towers Season 7 Episode 31: "Most Likely to Succeed"
1962 Ripcord Jill Kelly Season 2 Episode 3: "Chute to Kill"
1962 The Dick Powell Show Jeanne Lauring Season 1 Episode 19: "Squadron"
1962 Route 66 Lola Season 2 Episode 28: "There I Am - There I Always Am"
1962 The Andy Griffith Show Peggy 'Peg' McMillan Season 3 Episode 2: "Andy's Rich Girlfriend"

Season 3 Episode 4: "Andy and Opie - Bachelors"

Season 3 Episode 6: "Barney Mends a Broken Heart"

Season 3 Episode 10: "Opie's Rival"

1963 Going My Way Gerry Season 1 Episode 17: "Don't Forget to Say Goodbye"
1963 The Dakotas Doll Harvey Season 1 Episode 10: "Justice at Eagle's Nest"
1963 Perry Mason Grace Olney Season 7 Episode 6: "The Case of the Reluctant Model"
1964 The Fugitive Helen Simmons Season 1 Episode 27: "Never Stop Running"
1964 The Lieutenant Julie Havener Season 1 Episode 18: "Interlude"
1964 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Danielle Season 2 Episode 28: "Who Needs an Enemy?"
1964 The Greatest Show on Earth Denny Greenleaf Season 1 Episode 29: "There Are No Problems, Only Opportunities"
1965 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Madeleine Season 3 Episode 12: "Crimson Witness"
1965 The Fugitive Joan Mitchell Season 3 Episode 3: "Crack in a Crystal Ball"
1965 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Fran Parsons Season 1 Episode 15: "The Deadly Decoy Affair"
1965 The Wild Wild West Linda Medford Season 1 Episode 15: "The Night of the Fatal Trap"
1965 Gunsmoke Honey Dare Season 10 Episode 34: "Honey Pot"
1966 The Fugitive Ruth Bianchi Season 4 Episode 10: "Nobody Loses All the Time"
1966 Run for Your Life Kay Mills Season 2 Episode 10: "The Man Who Had No Enemies"
1966 Felony Squad Betty Reilly Season 1 Episode 16: "Miss Reilly's Revenge"
1967 Bewitched Daphne Harper Season 3 Episode 25: "Charlie Harper, Winner"
1967 T.H.E. Cat Valerie Evans Season 1 Episode 20: "Design for Death"
1967 The Virginian Carol Fisk Season 6 Episode 11: "To Bear Witness"
1969 Judd, for the Defense Barbara Townsend Season 2 Episode 24: "Visitation"
1969 The High Chaparral Charlene "Charly" Converse Season 3 Episode 9: "Lady Fair"
1970 The Name of the Game Emily Season 3 Episode 2: "A Love to Remember"
1970 The Most Deadly Game Paula Winton Season 1 Episode 8: "Nightbirds"
1974 Police Story Lisa Roberts Season 2 Episode 10: "Explosion"
1974 The Waltons Laura Sue Champion Season 3 Episode 12: "The Departure"
1975 Kung Fu Lula Morgan Season 3 Episode 20: "The Brothers Caine"
1976 Petrocelli Kay Willis Season 2 Episode 20: "Death Ride"
1980 Scout's Honor Ms. Odom Television film

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Memorial service planned for actress Joanna Moore". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. January 24, 1998. p. B2 – via nl.newsbank.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Joanna Moore - The Private Life and Times of Joanna Moore. Joanna Moore Pictures". glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011.
  3. ^ "Surgery Restores Hearing of Television Actress, Honking Truck Sounds 'Beautiful'". Independent Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. United Press International. July 8, 1962. p. 84. Retrieved April 23, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "Joanna Moore Is a Bride". The Kansas City Times. Missouri, Kansas City. Associated Press. April 12, 1963. p. 2. Retrieved April 23, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ O'Neal, Tatum (2004). A Paper Life. HarperEntertainment. pp. 14. ISBN 0-06-054097-4.
  6. ^ O'Neal, Tatum (2004). A Paper Life. HarperEntertainment. pp. 18. ISBN 0-06-054097-4.
  7. ^ Manners, Dorothy (February 20, 1975). "Off the Grapevine". Toledo Blade. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
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