A former actress who became a familiar face to television audiences through a smash-hit 1960s soap opera made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles on Monday, July 20 — her first sighting in more than three decades.
Now 82, the one-time screen star stepped away from Hollywood many years ago, leaving behind a successful run in television and film to build a career in law.
Gone was the light brown bob that fans once knew so well. For the low-key outing, she wore her long gray hair swept into a French twist as she ran errands around the city.
The actress remains best remembered for her four-year stint on a landmark ABC primetime drama that helped define the television landscape of the 1960s.
She portrayed one of the show’s standout characters, appearing alongside Ryan O’Neal and Mia Farrow, and later returned to the role in both a revival series and a television movie.
Her résumé also includes work with legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, as well as a leading part in a cherished 1964 musical film.
Can you guess who she is?
A former actress who rose to fame on a hit 1960s soap opera was seen during an exceptionally rare outing in Los Angeles on Monday, July 20
The 82-year-old retreated from Hollywood four decades ago despite finding success in both TV and film in order to pursue a law career
The mystery star is Patricia Morrow, who played Rita Jacks on ABC’s Peyton Place from 1965 to 1969.
She reprised the iconic role again in the revival series, Return to Peyton Place, from 1972 to 1974.
In one what would be one of her last Hollywood roles, Morrow also appeared in the TV movie Peyton Place: The Next Generation in 1985.
She is also famous for acting alongside Henry Fonda in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1956 film The Wrong Man and she starred as Terry Wells in the 1964 musical movie Surf Party.
Morrow is a Los Angeles native who was raised in the Toluca Lake area.
Her father was Robert Morrow, an LA-based attorney, who undoubtedly inspired her shift from acting to law in the 1970s.
Morrow was just nine years old when she made her debut in Hollywood.
She landed the role of Constance Philbrick in I Led 3 Lives, a syndicated drama series that had a three-season run in the 50s.
Morrow’s other television roles include appearances on various shows ranging from Perry Mason to Leave it to Beaver.
She also played supporting roles and guest starred in several TV shows before landing her breakout role in Peyton Place.
The mystery star is Patricia Morrow, who famously played Rita Jacks on ABC’s Peyton Place from 1965 to 1969
Morrow was just nine years old when she made her debut in Hollywood
Morrow was initially contracted for a few episodes but ended up portraying the waif-like Rita Jacks on Peyton Place and following spinoffs due to the popularity of her role
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During the run of Peyton Place, Morrow briefly dated her onscreen husband Christopher Connelly
Morrow landed her first and only leading film role in the musical movie Surf Party in 1964
She was initially contracted for just a few episodes but ended up playing the role for four years due to her popularity.
During the run of Peyton Place, she briefly dated her onscreen husband Christopher Connelly.
In the years after their romance ended, she met and started dating producer Carl Lance Brisson, the son of famed actress Rosalind Russell and
After their divorce, she adopted her daughter Marielle Margaret Morrow.
Morrow and Brisson tied the knot in 1975 and later divorced in 1982.
Morrow’s filmography includes Ma and Pa Kettle at Home (1954), Artists and Models (1955), The Bad Seed (1956) and The Wrong Man (1956).
During the run of Peyton Place, she briefly dated her onscreen husband Christopher Connelly; seen in 1966
It was over four decades when she reprised her most notable role in the Peyton Place TV movie
Morrow’s filmography includes Ma and Pa Kettle at Home (1954), Artists and Models (1955), The Bad Seed (1956) and The Wrong Man (1956)
After Peyton Place ended in 1969, Morrow started focusing on volunteering, working with Los Angeles kids on probation
She started studying law at Glendale University College of Law and graduated during her run on Return to Peyton Place
She also made appearances in television shows, such as Leave It to Beaver and Perry Mason.
In 1964, she landed her first and only lead role in a film when she starred in the musical Surf Party.
After Peyton Place ended in 1969, Morrow started focusing on volunteering, working with Los Angeles kids on probation.
Through her volunteer work, she became increasingly interested in politics and law.
She started studying law at Glendale University College of Law and graduated during her run on Return to Peyton Place in the 1970s.
