‘The Waltons’ Star Sian Barbara Allen Dies — Cause of Death Revealed
A Golden Globe-nominated actress who left television decades ago has died at 78, according to a public obituary that shared details of her final year.
Sian Barbara Allen, best known for her role in “The Waltons,” passed away on March 31, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The obituary confirmed she had been living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Allen rose to prominence in the 1970s and ’80s, appearing in major television series such as “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke,” “Columbo,” and “The Rockford Files.” In 1972, she starred in “You’ll Like My Mother” alongside Patty Duke and Richard Thomas, earning a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising New Actress.
Sian Barbara Allen as Sandra Turkel in 1974 “The Rockford Files” | Source: Getty Images
She often portrayed characters defined by empathy and vulnerability — qualities that resonated with audiences. In 1978, she became the first woman to write a produced script for “Baretta.”
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Allen trained at the Pasadena Playhouse and later at the Mark Taper Forum. She stepped away from public life in 1990 but remained active in political causes, supporting labor rights and volunteering for Jackie Goldberg’s 1993 Los Angeles City Council campaign.
She is survived by her daughter, Emily Fonseca, and other family members. In lieu of a service, her family encourages donations to AuthoraCare Collective Hospice or to local grassroots organizations in her memory.
