Pilar Del Rey obit

Pilar Del Rey Dies: Actor In ‘Giant’ & Dozens Of Classic TV Shows Was 95

 She was not on the list.

Pilar Del Rey, a veteran character actor who appeared with James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor in Giant and guested on dozens of classic TV series, died February 23 of natural causes in Los Angeles. She was 95. A family spokesperson confirmed the news to Deadline.

In George Stevens’ 1956 epic Giant, Del Rey played the sickly Mrs. Obregon, who is cared for along with her baby by Taylor’s Leslie Benedict as an impatient Jett Rink (Dean) tries to rush her. Leslie’s learning of the local Mexican ranch workers’ living conditions and the racist attitudes toward them is a key early plot point in the film, which drew nine Oscar noms including Best Picture. Stevens won for Best Director.

Born on May 26, 1929, in Fort Worth, Texas, Del Rey made her film debut in the late 1940s and A Spanish-American, she portrayed characters from various ethnic backgrounds with depth and authenticity.

She joined the Screen Actors Guild in 1949 had an uncredited role opposite a young Rita Moreno in The Ring (1952). Del Rey went on to appear in a 1953 episode of TV’s Hopalong Cassidy and in such films as And Now Miguel (1953), The Siege at Red River (1954) and Black Horse Canyon (1954) before landing the Giant role.

By the late 1950s, Del Rey’s focus turned to the small screen. During the next quarter-century, she did guest turns in such memorable shows as Sea Hunt, Daniel Boone, Dragnet, Family Affair, My Three Sons, The Wild Wild West, Police Story, Mannix, Marcus Welby M.D., Barnaby Jones, Simon & Simon and Hart to Hart, among other.

Along the way, she had roles in films and TV movies including And Now Miguel (1966), Anatomy of a Seduction (1979), Fun and Games (1980), Travis McGee (1983), Stewartdess School (1983). Her final screen role was the 1990 movie The Forbidden Dance.

Del Rey often appeared as different characters in multiple episodes of programs such as Fireside Theatre, The Adventures of Kit Carson, and Schlitz Playhouse, showcasing her remarkable ability to bring diverse characters to life.

In 1995, she was honored at the inaugural AFTRA/SAG Latino/Hispanic Heritage Celebration, where Ricardo Montalbán recognized Del Rey’s groundbreaking work and contributions to the entertainment industry.

Del Rey is survived by three nephews whom she raised as her own children. “Pilar will forever be remembered for her generosity and love,” said nephew David Bouzas of Palm Springs. “She truly was our Auntie Mame.”

 

Actress

Laura Harring and Jeff James in The Forbidden Dance (1990)

The Forbidden Dance

4.0

The Queen

1990

 

Sandahl Bergman, Corinne Bohrer, Mary Cadorette, Brett Cullen, Vicki Frederick, Sherman Hemsley, Julia Montgomery, Don Most, and Wendie Jo Sperber in Stewardess School (1986)

Stewardess School

4.2

Sarah Stromboli

1986

 

Kirstie Alley, Rod Taylor, and Greg Evigan in Masquerade (1983)

Masquerade

6.7

TV Series

Inez DeCarmona

1984

1 episode

 

Hart to Hart (1979)

Hart to Hart

6.7

TV Series

Maria

1984

1 episode

 

Sam Elliott in Travis McGee (1983)

Travis McGee

6.3

TV Movie

1983

 

Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker in Simon & Simon (1981)

Simon & Simon

7.0

TV Series

Farmer's Wife

1983

1 episode

 

Baby Sister (1983)

Baby Sister

5.4

TV Movie

Rose

1983

 

The Night the Bridge Fell Down (1980)

The Night the Bridge Fell Down

5.4

TV Movie

Maria

1980

 

Valerie Harper and Max Gail in Fun and Games (1980)

Fun and Games

6.1

TV Movie

Tall Woman

1980

 

Michael J. Fox, Patricia Alice Albrecht, Curt Ayers, Dirk Blocker, Debra Clinger, David Damas, Eddie Deezen, Brian Frishman, Stephen Furst, Michael Gitomer, Trevor Henley, Marvin Katzoff, Joel Kenney, Keny Long, Sal Lopez, David Naughton, Robyn Petty, Maggie Roswell, Christopher Sands, Andy Tennant, Betsy Lynn Thompson, Carol Gwynn Thompson, and Brad Wilkin in Midnight Madness (1980)

Midnight Madness

6.3

Miniature Golf Mom (as Pillar Del Rey)

1980

 

Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)

Barnaby Jones

6.9

TV Series

Louisa

1980

1 episode

 

Rita Moreno and Jameson Parker in Anatomy of a Seduction (1979)

Anatomy of a Seduction

5.6

TV Movie

Maid

1979

 

Bruce Boxleitner and James Arness in How the West Was Won (1976)

How the West Was Won

8.2

TV Series

Esperanza

1979

1 episode

 

James Brolin, Robert Young, Barbara Sigel, and Elena Verdugo in Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969)

Marcus Welby, M.D.

7.0

TV Series

Teacher

Nurse

1973–1975

2 episodes

 

Mike Connors in Mannix (1967)

Mannix

7.4

TV Series

Marquesa

1975

2 episodes

 

Robert Forster, David Birney, and Richard E. Kalk in Police Story (1973)

Police Story

7.5

TV Series

Mrs. Perez

1974

1 episode

 

"The Smith Family" Janet Blair, Henry Fonda, Darleen Carr, Ron Howard, Michael-James Wixted

The Smith Family

6.7

TV Series

Dolores Santos

1971

1 episode

 

Leif Erickson, Linda Cristal, Henry Darrow, Cameron Mitchell, and Mark Slade in The High Chaparral (1967)

The High Chaparral

7.6

TV Series

Mrs. Martinez

1970

1 episode

 

John Forsythe, Melanie Fullerton, Joyce Menges, and Susan Neher in To Rome with Love (1969)

To Rome with Love

7.3

TV Series

Nun

1970

1 episode

 

The Name of the Game (1968)

The Name of the Game

7.6

TV Series

Senora Muno

1969

1 episode

 

Robert Conrad and Ross Martin in The Wild Wild West (1965)

The Wild Wild West

8.1

TV Series

Mexican Matron (as Pilar del Rey)

1969

1 episode

 

William Frawley, Don Grady, Stanley Livingston, and Fred MacMurray in My Three Sons (1960)

My Three Sons

7.1

TV Series

Aunt Enriquetta

1969

1 episode

 

Brian Keith, Sebastian Cabot, Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones, and Johnny Whitaker in Family Affair (1966)

Family Affair

7.0

TV Series

Ticket Agent

1969

1 episode

 

Harry Morgan and Jack Webb in Dragnet 1967 (1967)

Dragnet 1967

7.7

TV Series

Mrs. Alvarez

Maria Arruba

1968–1969

2 episodes

 

Fess Parker in Daniel Boone (1964)

Daniel Boone

7.3

TV Series

Moranta

1968

1 episode

 

Pat Cardi in And Now Miguel (1966)

And Now Miguel

6.6

Tomasita

1966

 

Shotgun Slade (1959)

Shotgun Slade

6.7

TV Series

Lucia

1961

1 episode

 

Sebastian Cabot, Anthony George, and Doug McClure in Checkmate (1960)

Checkmate

7.4

TV Series

Maria

1961

1 episode

 

Lloyd Bridges in Sea Hunt (1958)

Sea Hunt

7.7

TV Series

Nita Delgado

1961

1 episode

 

The Case of the Dangerous Robin (1960)

The Case of the Dangerous Robin

8.1

TV Series

1961

1 episode

 

The Miracle (1959)

The Miracle

5.9

Farmer's Wife (uncredited)

1959

 

Tristram Coffin in 26 Men (1957)

26 Men

7.3

TV Series

Lucita

1959

1 episode

 

Have Gun - Will Travel (1957)

Have Gun - Will Travel

8.4

TV Series

Maria (as Pilar del Rey)

1959

1 episode

 

Robert Brown, Kathleen Crowley, and Arthur Franz in The Flame Barrier (1958)

The Flame Barrier

4.7

Indian girl

1958

 

The O. Henry Playhouse (1957)

The O. Henry Playhouse

6.3

TV Series

Joya Travinas

1957

1 episode

 

Hal Baylor, Hans Conried, and Chuck Hicks in Schlitz Playhouse (1951)

Schlitz Playhouse

7.4

TV Series

Maria

Pilar Mason

1954–1956

2 episodes

 

James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, and Rock Hudson in Giant (1956)

Giant

7.6

Mrs. Obregón

1956

 

John Wayne, Lana Turner, and Tab Hunter in The Sea Chase (1955)

The Sea Chase

6.4

Beautician (uncredited)

1955

 

Fireside Theatre (1949)

Fireside Theatre

7.4

TV Series

1951–1955

2 episodes

 

Stories of the Century (1954)

Stories of the Century

7.0

TV Series

Tonia

1955

1 episode

 

Mari Blanchard, Race Gentry, Joel McCrea, and Highland Dale in Black Horse Canyon (1954)

Black Horse Canyon

6.1

Juanita

1954

 

Van Johnson and Joanne Dru in The Siege at Red River (1954)

The Siege at Red River

5.8

Lukoa

1954

 

Charlton Heston and Eleanor Parker in The Naked Jungle (1954)

The Naked Jungle

6.7

Indian Wife (uncredited)

1954

 

Joan Leslie, Vera Ralston, and Forrest Tucker in Jubilee Trail (1954)

Jubilee Trail

5.8

Carmelita Velasco (uncredited)

1954

 

Pedro Armendáriz, Yvonne De Carlo, and Joel McCrea in Border River (1954)

Border River

6.0

Girl (uncredited)

1954

 

William Boyd in Hopalong Cassidy (1952)

Hopalong Cassidy

7.6

TV Series

Marella - Artaro's Love Interest

1953

1 episode

 

Flight to Tangier (1953)

Flight to Tangier

5.3

Spanish Girl (uncredited)

1953

 

Pier Angeli, Yvonne De Carlo, and Ricardo Montalban in Sombrero (1953)

Sombrero

5.3

Party Guest (uncredited)

1953

 

Ronald Reagan, Rhonda Fleming, and Estelita Rodriguez in Tropic Zone (1953)

Tropic Zone

4.8

Victoriana (uncredited)

1953

 

Bill Williams in The Adventures of Kit Carson (1951)

The Adventures of Kit Carson

6.8

TV Series

Carlotta Mesconti

Servant

Waitress ...

1951–1953

4 episodes

 

The Files of Jeffrey Jones (1952)

The Files of Jeffrey Jones

6.6

TV Series

Dolores

1952

1 episode

 

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952)

The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima

6.7

Maria Dos Anges (uncredited)

1952

 

Ricardo Montalban, Cyd Charisse, Andrea King, and Gilbert Roland in Mark of the Renegade (1951)

Mark of the Renegade

5.9

Señorita (uncredited)

1951

 

Hedy Lamarr and John Hodiak in A Lady Without Passport (1950)

A Lady Without Passport

6.1

Spanish Girl (uncredited)

1950

 

Audie Murphy and Gale Storm in The Kid from Texas (1950)

The Kid from Texas

6.3

Marguarita

1950

 

Illegal Entry (1949)

Illegal Entry

6.1

Proprietress' Daughter (uncredited)

1949

 

Shelley Winters, Dan Duryea, and Howard Duff in Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949)

Johnny Stool Pigeon

6.6

Mexican Girl (uncredited)

1949

 

Additional Crew

Gene Hackman and Liv Ullmann in Zandy's Bride (1974)

Zandy's Bride

6.3

voice (uncredited)

1974