Samantha Eggar obit

Samantha Eggar Dies: ‘The Collector’, ‘Doctor Dolittle’ Actor Was 86

She was not on the list. 

Samantha Eggar, the British actress best known for her roles in 1960s-’70s films The Collector, Doctor Dolittle and The Molly Maguires, died Wednesday, October 15, at her home in Sherman Oaks, California, after battling a five-year illness. She was 86.

Her death was announced to The Hollywood Reporter by her daughter, the actress Jenna Stern (House of Cards).

Born March 5, 1939, in London, Eggar launched her show business career on the London stage, moving into film with the 1962 movie Dr. Crippen opposite Donald Pleasance. While continuing her stage career, she appeared that same year in the film The Wild and the Willing.

Eggar’s next, high-profile project was the 1965 thriller The Collector, directed by William Wyler, in which she played a kidnap victim and received an Oscar nomination for her performance. The next year she co-starred with Cary Grant in the comedy Walk, Don’t Run.

The following year would bring her signature role as Emma Fairfax in Richard Fleischer’s big-budget box office flop musical adaptation of Doctor Dolittle (1967) also starring Rex Harrison and Anthony Newley.

Eggar rebounded with Martin Ritt’s 1970 historical drama The Molly Maguires starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris. Loosely inspired by real-life events, the film chronicled the tale of an undercover detective infiltraitng a coal mining community to expose a group of Irish-American miners rebelling against the mine owners.

Other credits include The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (1970), The Dead Are Alive (1972), the TV series Anna and the King (1972) and Double Indemnity (1973).

As the popular star of horror films, Eggar appeared in The Dead Are Alive! (1972), A Name for Evil (1973), The Uncanny (1977), Curtains (1983) and David Cronenberg’s The Brood (1979).

After moving to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, Eggar would go on to appear in such films as Ragin’ Cajun (1990), Dark Horse (1992), The Phantom (1996) and The Astronaut’s Wife (1999).

On TV, Eggar played the sister-in-law of Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as the wife of Donald Sutherland’s speaker of the house in Commander in Chief,.

Eggar married actor Tom Stern in 1964 (they divorced in 1971). She is survived by daughter Jenna Stern; son, the producer Nicolas Stern; and other extended family.

Actress

Metalocalypse (2006)

Metalocalypse

8.3

TV Series

Whale (voice)

2012

2 episodes

 

The Nine Lives of Chloe King (2011)

The Nine Lives of Chloe King

7.0

TV Series

Olivia Rezza

2011

1 episode

 

Chris Vance in Mental (2009)

Mental

6.9

TV Series

Margo Stroud

2009

2 episodes

 

Geena Davis and Kyle Secor in Commander in Chief (2005)

Commander in Chief

6.9

TV Series

Sara Templeton

2005–2006

9 episodes

 

Cold Case (2003)

Cold Case

7.6

TV Series

Sister Vivian Dole (2003)

2004

1 episode

 

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing (2003)

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing

7.9

Video Game

Additional Voices

2003

 

Natasha Henstridge, Kristen Miller, and Natashia Williams in She Spies (2002)

She Spies

6.1

TV Series

Huffy English Woman

2003

1 episode

 

007: Nightfire (2002)

007: Nightfire

7.9

Video Game

M (voice)

2002

 

Susan Lucci, Debbi Morgan, Rebecca Budig, Cameron Mathison, and Darnell Williams in All My Children (1970)

All My Children

6.8

TV Series

Charlotte Devane

2000

19 episodes

 

Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned (1999)

Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned

8.4

Video Game

Lady Howard (voice)

1999

 

Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron in The Astronaut's Wife (1999)

The Astronaut's Wife

5.4

Dr. Patraba

1999

 

James Woods, Sandra Bernhard, Tate Donovan, Robert Costanzo, and French Stewart in Hercules (1998)

Hercules

6.6

TV Series

Hera (voice)

1998–1999

8 episodes

 

Loss of Faith (1998)

Loss of Faith

4.6

TV Movie

Insp. Strong

1998

 

Hercules (1997)

Hercules

7.4

Video Game

Hera (voice)

1997

 

James Woods, Danny DeVito, Matt Frewer, Bobcat Goldthwait, Amanda Plummer, Rip Torn, Samantha Eggar, Tate Donovan, Josh Keaton, Roger Bart, Jim Cummings, Paddi Edwards, Susan Egan, Cheryl Freeman, LaChanze, Roz Ryan, Paul Shaffer, Carole Shelley, Vanéese Y. Thomas, and Lillias White in Hercules (1997)

Hercules

7.3

Hera (voice)

1997

 

Sean Young and Jack Scalia in Everything to Gain (1996)

Everything to Gain

6.1

TV Movie

Diana Keswick

1996

 

Billy Zane in The Phantom (1996)

The Phantom

5.1

Lily Palmer

1996

 

Siegfried & Roy: Masters of the Impossible (1996)

Siegfried & Roy: Masters of the Impossible

6.1

TV Series

(voice)

1996

 

Gene Barry and Peter Barton in Burke's Law (1994)

Burke's Law

6.6

TV Series

Princess Catherine Lanier

1995

1 episode

 

ABC Weekend Specials (1977)

ABC Weekend Specials

7.7

TV Series

Queen of the Night (voice)

1994

1 episode

 

Inevitable Grace (1994)

Inevitable Grace

3.5

Britt

1994

 

The Secrets of Lake Success (1993)

The Secrets of Lake Success

6.0

TV Mini Series

Diana Westley

1993

3 episodes

 

The Legend of Prince Valiant (1991)

The Legend of Prince Valiant

7.4

TV Series

Queen Guinevere (voice)

1991–1993

65 episodes

 

Jennifer Grey and Peter Berg in A Case for Murder (1993)

A Case for Murder

5.4

TV Movie

Ellen Denvers

1993

 

L.A. Law (1986)

L.A. Law

7.1

TV Series

Camille Bancroft

1993

1 episode

 

P.J. Sparkles (1992)

P.J. Sparkles

7.3

TV Movie

Mrs. O'MallyCrown (voice)

1992

 

Mimi Rogers, Ed Begley Jr., Ari Meyers, Audacious Audi, Jax, Who J., and Gambler in Dark Horse (1992)

Dark Horse

6.8

Mrs. Curtis

1992

 

Kate Mulgrew and Samantha Eggar in Round Numbers (1992)

Round Numbers

5.6

Anne

1992

 

Mann & Machine (1992)

Mann & Machine

7.5

TV Series

Dr. Anna Kapler

1992

1 episode

 

The Magic Voyage (1992)

The Magic Voyage

3.5

Queen Isabella (voice: English version)

1992

 

Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, and Patrick Stewart in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

8.7

TV Series

Marie Picard

1990

1 episode

 

Ragin' Cajun (1990)

Ragin' Cajun

3.5

Dr. May

1990

 

Sarah Miles in A Ghost in Monte Carlo (1990)

A Ghost in Monte Carlo

5.9

TV Movie

Jeanne

1990

 

Andy Griffith in Matlock (1986)

Matlock

7.1

TV Series

Katherine Randolph

1990

1 episode

 

Kate Mulgrew and Laura Johnson in Heartbeat (1988)

Heartbeat

7.9

TV Series

Claire Staggs

1989

1 episode

 

Walt Disney in The Magical World of Disney (1954)

The Magical World of Disney

8.3

TV Series

Ory Palmer

1988

1 episode

 

1st & Ten (1984)

1st & Ten

6.5

TV Series

Sybil Nelson

1988

1 episode

 

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

7.7

TV Series

Lisa Talbot

1987

1 episode

 

Audrey Hepburn in Love Among Thieves (1987)

Love Among Thieves

6.0

TV Movie

Solange

1987

 

Nick Mancuso in Stingray (1986)

Stingray

7.4

TV Series

Camilla Rousseau

1987

1 episode

 

Outlaws (1986)

Outlaws

7.1

TV Series

Sister Rachel

1987

1 episode

 

Anne Baxter, James Brolin, and Connie Sellecca in Hotel (1983)

Hotel

6.4

TV Series

Elizabeth Oliver

1985

1 episode

 

George Burns Half-Hour Comedy Hour (1985)

George Burns Half-Hour Comedy Hour

8.0

TV Series

Mrs. Cratchet

1985

1 episode

 

Tales of the Unexpected (1979)

Tales of the Unexpected

7.6

TV Series

Gwen Carter

1985

1 episode

 

Anthony Franciosa and Christopher Norris in Finder of Lost Loves (1984)

Finder of Lost Loves

6.6

TV Series

Megan Brody

1985

1 episode

 

Tom Selleck in Magnum, P.I. (1980)

Magnum, P.I.

7.5

TV Series

Laura Bennett

1984

1 episode

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.2

TV Series

Marta Quintessa

1984

1 episode

 

Hart to Hart (1979)

Hart to Hart

6.7

TV Series

Jillian Rawlings

1983

1 episode

 

For the Term of His Natural Life (1983)

For the Term of His Natural Life

7.5

TV Mini Series

Mrs. Vickers

1983

3 episodes

 

Curtains (1983)

Curtains

5.5

Samantha Sherwood

1983

 

Darkroom (1981)

Darkroom

7.2

TV Series

Miss Alexis St. Clair

1982

1 episode

 

Falcon Crest (1981)

Falcon Crest

6.2

TV Series

Maggie Gioberti

1981

1 episode

 

Marie-France Pisier and Wayne Rogers in The Hot Touch (1981)

The Hot Touch

4.9

Samantha O'Brien

1981

 

Aloha Paradise (1981)

Aloha Paradise

7.2

TV Series

1981

1 episode

 

Demonoid (1981)

Demonoid

4.7

Jennifer Baines

1981

 

Fred Grandy, Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange, Gavin MacLeod, and Lauren Tewes in The Love Boat (1977)

The Love Boat

6.3

TV Series

Meg ChaseMary-Louise Murphy

1979–1981

2 episodes

 

Robert Ginty in The Exterminator (1980)

The Exterminator

5.7

Dr. Megan Stewart

1980

 

Chad Everett in Hagen (1980)

Hagen

5.7

TV Series

Livia

1980

1 episode

 

Ricardo Montalban and Hervé Villechaize in Fantasy Island (1977)

Fantasy Island

6.6

TV Series

Helena Marsh

1978–1979

2 episodes

 

The Brood (1979)

The Brood

6.8

Nola Carveth

1979

 

Kam Fong, Al Harrington, Jack Lord, and James MacArthur in Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Hawaii Five-O

7.4

TV Series

Agnes du Bois

1978

1 episode

 

Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women (1978)

Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women

8.0

TV Movie

Billie Burke

1978

 

The Biggest Battle (1978)

The Biggest Battle

4.7

Annelise Ackermann

1978

 

Meredith Baxter, Kristy McNichol, James Broderick, Gary Frank, Sada Thompson, Michael Schackelford, and David Schackelford in Family (1976)

Family

7.7

TV Series

Norah McKay

1977

1 episode

 

Starsky and Hutch (1975)

Starsky and Hutch

7.0

TV Series

Charlotte

1977

1 episode

 

The Uncanny (1977)

The Uncanny

5.7

Edina Hamilton (segment "Hollywood 1936")

1977

 

Why Shoot the Teacher (1977)

Why Shoot the Teacher

6.9

Alice Field

1977

 

Peter Falk in Columbo (1971)

Columbo

8.3

TV Series

Vivian Brandt

1977

1 episode

 

Welcome to Blood City (1977)

Welcome to Blood City

5.0

Katherine

1977

 

Robert Blake in Baretta (1975)

Baretta

6.7

TV Series

Laurie Eckhardt

1976

1 episode

 

Alan Arkin, Robert Duvall, Vanessa Redgrave, and Nicol Williamson in The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976)

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

6.6

Mary Watson

1976

 

The Killer Who Wouldn't Die (1976)

The Killer Who Wouldn't Die

6.3

TV Movie

Anne Roland

1976

 

Tim Matheson and Perry King in The Hemingway Play (1976)

The Hemingway Play

9.0

TV Movie

Glynis

1976

 

The Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond

6.8

TV Movie

Evalyn Walsh McLean

1975

 

David Hartman in Lucas Tanner (1974)

Lucas Tanner

6.8

TV Series

Angela Bowman

1975

1 episode

 

Robby Benson, John Savage, Samantha Eggar, Stacy Keach, Arlene Farber, Brent Campbell, Patti Parkison, and Tim Parkison in All the Kind Strangers (1974)

All the Kind Strangers

5.6

TV Movie

Carol Ann

1974

 

The Man of Destiny

TV Movie

The Strange Lady

1973

 

Love Story (1973)

Love Story

6.1

TV Series

Ruth Wilson

1973

1 episode

 

Double Indemnity (1973)

Double Indemnity

4.6

TV Movie

Phyllis Dietrichson

1973

 

A Name for Evil (1973)

A Name for Evil

3.9

Joanna Blake

1973

 

Yul Brynner and Samantha Eggar in Anna and the King (1972)

Anna and the King

7.2

TV Series

Anna LeonowensAnna Owens

1972

13 episodes

 

The Dead Are Alive (1972)

The Dead Are Alive

5.4

Myra Shelton

1972

 

The Light at the Edge of the World (1971)

The Light at the Edge of the World

6.0

Arabella

1971

 

Samantha Eggar in The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (1970)

The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun

6.1

Danielle Lang ("Dany")

1970

 

Samantha Eggar and David Hemmings in The Walking Stick (1970)

The Walking Stick

6.4

Deborah Dainton

1970

 

The Molly Maguires (1970)

The Molly Maguires

6.8

Miss Mary Raines

1970

 

Doctor Dolittle (1967)

Doctor Dolittle

6.2

Emma Fairfax

1967

 

Walk Don't Run (1966)

Walk Don't Run

6.6

Christine Easton

1966

 

New Release

TV Series

Miranda Grey (The Collector)

1965

1 episode

 

Return from the Ashes (1965)

Return from the Ashes

7.0

Fabienne

1965

 

Terence Stamp and Samantha Eggar in The Collector (1965)

The Collector

7.5

Miranda Grey

1965

 

Patricia Neal in Psyche 59 (1964)

Psyche 59

6.0

Robin

1964

 

Roger Moore in The Saint (1962)

The Saint

7.5

TV Series

Claire Avery

1963

1 episode

 

Dr. Crippen (1963)

Dr. Crippen

6.4

Ethel Le Neve

1963

 

Doctor in Distress (1963)

Doctor in Distress

5.6

Delia Mallory

1963

 

ITV Play of the Week (1955)

ITV Play of the Week

6.7

TV Series

Manderin

1963

1 episode

 

Michael Quinn and Donald Wolfit in Ghost Squad (1961)

Ghost Squad

7.2

TV Series

Mina

1963

1 episode

 

ITV Television Playhouse (1955)

ITV Television Playhouse

8.2

TV Series

Lily

1963

1 episode

 

Bob Dylan, David Warner, Ursula Howells, Reg Lye, James Mellor, and Maureen Pryor in The Madhouse on Castle Street (1963)

BBC Sunday-Night Play

8.6

TV Series

Virginia Otis

1962

1 episode

 

Young and Willing (1962)

Young and Willing

5.8

Josie Stevens

1962

 

The Princess and the Pea

TV Movie

The Real Princess

1961

 

Rendezvous (1957)

Rendezvous

7.1

TV Series

Joan

1961

1 episode

 

Tom Fleming in Rob Roy (1961)

Rob Roy

TV Series

Diana Vernon

1961

5 episodes

 

Soundtrack

Valentines. A Bouquet of Letters and Poetry of Lovers (1994)

Valentines. A Bouquet of Letters and Poetry of Lovers

9.8

Video

performer: "Take All My Loves", "The Heart of the Woman"

1994

 

The Molly Maguires (1970)

The Molly Maguires

6.8

performer: "Eileen Aroon"

1970

 

Doctor Dolittle (1967)

Doctor Dolittle

6.2

performer: "At The Crossroads", "Beautiful Things", "Fabulous Places", "I Think I Like You"

1967

 

Self

Come to Silence with Samatha Eggar

Video

Self

2019

 

Nothing But Death

Video

Self

2018

 

The Look of Stardom

5.8

Short

Self

2018

 

Birth Pains

6.5

Video

Self

2015

 

About Napoli

Self - Narrator (voice)

2009

 

Age of the Psychics

Video

Self - Host

2006

 

The 100 Greatest Family Films (2005)

The 100 Greatest Family Films

7.1

TV Movie

Self

2005

 

American Masters (1985)

American Masters

8.2

TV Series

Self

1986–2004

2 episodes

 

Corwin (1996)

Corwin

6.4

TV Movie

Self

1996

 

Vicki Lawrence in Vicki! (1992)

Vicki!

5.8

TV Series

Self - Guest

1993

1 episode

 

Diana Dors in Dors: The Other Diana (1990)

Dors: The Other Diana

8.2

TV Movie

Self

1990

 

De película (1982)

De película

8.1

TV Series

Self - Interviewee

1988

1 episode

 

Mag magazine (1988)

Mag magazine

4.6

TV Series

Self

1988

1 episode

 

The 5th Annual American Cinema Awards

9.5

TV Special

Self

1988

 

The Time of Your Life (1983)

The Time of Your Life

TV Series

Self

1985

1 episode

 

Eamonn Andrews in This Is Your Life (1955)

This Is Your Life

6.4

TV Series

Self

1983

1 episode

 

Whicker's World (1959)

Whicker's World

7.5

TV Series

Self

1980

1 episode

 

Unknown Powers (1978)

Unknown Powers

5.7

Self - Host

1978

 

AFI Life Achievement Award (1973)

AFI Life Achievement Award

5.6

TV Mini Series

Self - Audience Member (uncredited)

1976

1 episode

 

Merv Griffin in The Merv Griffin Show (1962)

The Merv Griffin Show

6.6

TV Series

Self - Guest

1968–1973

2 episodes

 

The Joey Bishop Show (1967)

The Joey Bishop Show

7.2

TV Series

Self - Guest

1967

1 episode

 

Johnny Carson in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

8.5

TV Series

Self - Guest

1966–1967

2 episodes

 

Richard Harris and Eva Marie Saint in The 24th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1967)

The 24th Annual Golden Globe Awards

TV Special

Self - Presenter

1967

 

The 38th Annual Academy Awards (1966)

The 38th Annual Academy Awards

7.6

TV Special

Self - Nominee

1966

 

The 23rd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1966)

The 23rd Annual Golden Globe Awards

TV Special

Self - Winner

1966

 

Archive Footage

Joan Collins in This Is Joan Collins (2022)

This Is Joan Collins

7.6

TV Special

Self (archive footage)

2022

 

Tax Shelter Terrors (2017)

Tax Shelter Terrors

6.2

Self (archive footage)

2017

 

Ryan Stockstad in Pop Culture Beast's Halloween Horror Picks (2014)

Pop Culture Beast's Halloween Horror Picks

7.8

TV Series

Self - Nola Carveth (archive footage)

2015

1 episode

 

Confessions of a Horror Baby (2010)

Confessions of a Horror Baby

TV Series

Self - Samantha Sherwood (archive footage)

2011

1 episode

 

Muchachada nui (2007)

Muchachada nui

7.9

TV Series

Madre (archive footage, segment "Mundo viejuno: Pasa tiempo con tus hijos", uncredited)

2010

1 episode

 

Jaume Figueras in Cinema mil (2005)

Cinema mil

6.9

TV Series

Self (archive footage)

2005

1 episode

 

Daytime's Greatest Weddings (2004)

Daytime's Greatest Weddings

5.9

Video

Self - Charlotte Devane (archive footage)

2004

 

The American Nightmare (2000)

The American Nightmare

7.2

Self (archive footage)

2000

 

The Dick Cavett Show (1968)

The Dick Cavett Show

8.3

TV Series

Self - Arabella (archive footage)

1971

1 episode