Joan Hotchkis, star of ‘The Odd Couple’ and ‘Legacy,’ dead at 95

Joan Hotchkis in an episode of "The Odd Couple" on Sept. 17, 1971.
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Joan Hotchkis, a legendary star of stage and display who appeared in “The Odd Couple” and “Legacy,” died Sept. 27 at 95.

The thespian reportedly died because of congestive coronary heart failure, her daughter Paula Chambers confirmed in an announcement to Deadline.

Born Sept. 21, 1927, in Los Angeles, Hotchkis received her begin in present enterprise in 1954 after touchdown the main position of Lizzie in “The Rainmaker” at Hollywood’s Gamers Ring theater. The then-rising star then moved again to New York, the place she joined the Actor’s Studio and appeared in varied TV commercials and visitor spots.

From there, Hotchkis would go on to star in a string of iconic Fifties and 60s cleaning soap operas, together with “The Secret Storm,” “Bewitched,” “Normal Hospital,” “Welcome to It” and “My World.”

Her small display success would proceed into the Nineteen Seventies, throughout which Hotchkis had elements in “Lou Grant,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “The New Dick Van Dyke Present” and  “Barnaby Jones.” In maybe her most well-known TV position, she appeared on “The Odd Couple” as Dr. Nancy Cunningham, the one regular girlfriend of Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman).

Hotchkis’ abilities weren’t restricted to the small display. The dramatist appeared within the motion pictures “The Late Liz” and “Previous Boyfriends,” and the Clint Eastwood movie “Breezy” (1973), which additionally starred William Holden. In her closing credited position, Hotchkis appeared as Madeleine within the 1993 TV film “The Disappearance of Christina.”

Additionally identified for her writing prowess, Hotchkis famously penned the thespian bible “Not Appearing Please,” and have become a playwright with “Legacy” in 1974, which she later tailored into a movie of the identical title the next 12 months.

Hotchkis is survived by her daughter Paula. Her memorial shall be non-public, however followers can contribute to her reminiscence by donating cash to Highways Efficiency House.