Pippa Scott
Philippa "Pippa" Scott (November 10, 1934 – May 22, 2025) was an American actress recognized for her supporting roles in mid-20th-century films and television series.[1][2]
Born in Los Angeles to stage actress Laura Straub and screenwriter Allan Scott, she began her career at age 17 with appearances in films such as the Western The Searchers (1956), where she played Lucy Edwards opposite John Wayne, and the comedy Auntie Mame (1958) as Gloria Upson alongside Rosalind Russell.[1][2][3]
Scott's television work included guest roles in anthology series like The Twilight Zone (1960), Westerns such as Maverick and The Alaskans, and dramas including Mr. Lucky.[4][5]
Her later film credits encompassed Petulia (1968) and Cold Turkey (1971), after which she transitioned toward human rights advocacy, supporting United Nations initiatives by the 1990s.[1][6]
Scott was married to television producer Lee Rich from 1964 until their 1983 divorce, with whom she had two daughters.[7] She died in Santa Monica from congenital heart failure at age 90.[1][2]
Early life
Family background and childhood
Pippa Scott was born Philippa Scott on November 10, 1935, in Los Angeles, California, to stage actress Laura Straub and screenwriter Allan Scott.[8][9] Her father, Allan Scott, was a prolific Hollywood screenwriter who penned scripts for many Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musicals, including Top Hat (1935) and Follow the Fleet (1936), earning an Academy Award nomination for Tovarich (1937).[10][11] Straub, her mother, pursued a career in theater, contributing to the family's immersion in the performing arts.[2] Scott's uncle, Adrian Scott, was a prominent producer and screenwriter who faced blacklisting during the Hollywood anti-communist investigations of the late 1940s and early 1950s, adding a layer of industry turbulence to the family legacy.[8] Raised in the heart of Hollywood, Scott described herself as a "movie brat," exposed from an early age to the inner workings of the film industry through her father's professional connections, including directors like John Ford.[11] This environment fostered her familiarity with screen luminaries and set the stage for her own entry into acting, though specific childhood anecdotes beyond this cultural milieu remain sparsely documented in available accounts.[2]Education and early influences
Scott received her early higher education at Radcliffe College, Harvard University's coordinate institution for women, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[2][1] She subsequently pursued formal acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England, which equipped her with classical stage techniques and directly facilitated her professional entry into theater.[7][2] This RADA experience, completed prior to her return to the United States, marked a pivotal influence on her career trajectory, enabling her Broadway debut in 1956 under director Jed Harris in the production Child of Fortune, for which she earned a World Theater Award.[12][1] Her familial ties to the entertainment industry—born to actress Laura Straub and screenwriter Allan Scott—provided an initial cultural immersion, though her structured academic and vocational training at these institutions formed the foundational influences shaping her approach to performance.[7]Acting career
Film roles
Pippa Scott's film career, though limited compared to her extensive television work, spanned several decades and included roles in notable Hollywood productions. Her debut came in the epic Western The Searchers (1956), directed by John Ford, where she played Lucy Edwards, one of the young girls central to the plot's family tragedy.[13] This uncredited but pivotal early role marked her entry into feature films alongside stars John Wayne and Jeffrey Hunter.[10] In 1958, Scott appeared in two films: the coming-of-age drama As Young as We Are, portraying a teenager navigating social pressures in a small town, and the comedic adaptation Auntie Mame, where she took on the supporting role of Pegeen Ryan opposite Rosalind Russell's titular eccentric aunt.[14] These roles showcased her versatility in both dramatic and lighthearted genres during the late 1950s.[10] The 1960s saw Scott in a series of mid-tier films, including the family comedy My Six Loves (1963), the thriller The Confession (1964), the screwball comedy For Pete's Sake! (1966), and Richard Lester's modernist drama Petulia (1968), in which she played May, a friend to the protagonist portrayed by Julie Christie.[10] Her performance in Petulia highlighted her ability to contribute to ensemble casts in stylish, character-driven narratives. Later films included the satirical comedy Cold Turkey (1971), featuring Dick Van Dyke in a story about a town quitting smoking for a cash prize, where Scott had a supporting role amid the ensemble. Sporadic appearances followed, such as in the independent drama Footprints (2009) and the short film Automotive (2013), reflecting a shift toward smaller productions in her later career.[10] Overall, Scott's film roles emphasized supporting characters, often in genres blending drama, comedy, and social commentary, with credits verified through industry databases.[10]Television appearances
Pippa Scott's television career spanned over three decades, beginning with her debut in the anthology series Your Play Time in 1955.[15] She frequently appeared as a guest star in Westerns and dramas during the late 1950s and 1960s, including recurring roles in Mr. Lucky (1959) and The Virginian (1962).[10] Notable early appearances featured her in The Twilight Zone episode "The Trouble with Templeton" (December 9, 1960), portraying Laura Templeton, the idealized wife of an aging actor.[16] Other key guest spots from this era include Gunsmoke ("Indian Ford," 1961) as Mary Tabor, Have Gun – Will Travel, Maverick, and Thriller.[17][18] In the 1970s, Scott continued with diverse roles, such as Molly in The Virginian episode "It Tolls for Thee" (November 21, 1962, though aired later in syndication contexts), Sarah Mather in Gunsmoke (season 17, episode 10, November 15, 1971), and appearances in Lancer (season 2, episode 20, March 10, 1970).[19] She played Jean Davis in Columbo: "Requiem for a Falling Star" (season 2, episode 5, January 21, 1973) and Alvira Drummond in The Waltons: "The Actress" (season 1, episode 15, January 4, 1973).[19] Additional credits included the TV movie Bad Ronald (1974) and a regular role in Jigsaw John (1976).[5][10] Her later television work featured Emily Dumont in Remington Steele (1984), marking one of her final on-screen roles before shifting focus to production and advocacy.[15] Scott's versatility across genres, from science fiction to crime dramas, underscored her presence in over 50 episodic appearances, often in supporting yet memorable parts.[10]| Year | Show | Episode/Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | The Twilight Zone | "The Trouble with Templeton" / Laura Templeton | Directed by Buzz Kulik; co-starring Brian Aherne.[16] |
| 1961 | Gunsmoke | "Indian Ford" / Mary Tabor | Rescued from Indians storyline.[17] |
| 1971 | Gunsmoke | Season 17, Ep. 10 / Sarah Mather | Guest star in Western drama. |
| 1973 | Columbo | "Requiem for a Falling Star" / Jean Davis | Murder mystery with Peter Falk.[19] |
| 1973 | The Waltons | "The Actress" / Alvira Drummond | Family drama episode.[19] |