Hollywood loses one of its shining stars at 100—You'll never guess her connection to Steven Spielberg!
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Hollywood has lost one of its most enduring and beloved stars. Priscilla Pointer, the acclaimed actress best known for her role as Rebecca Wentworth on the iconic 1980s soap opera Dallas, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the remarkable age of 100.
But did you know that this Hollywood legend was once Steven Spielberg’s mother-in-law? That’s just one of the many fascinating chapters in her extraordinary life.
From New York Roots to the Silver Screen
Born Priscilla Marie Pointer in New York City in 1924, she was destined for a life in the arts.
The daughter of two artists, she was drawn to the stage from a young age, making her mark in theater during the 1940s.
By the 1950s, she was already appearing on television, including a supporting role in the adventure series China Smith.
But for Priscilla, family and art were always intertwined. She married Jules Irving, a filmmaker and theater director who would go on to serve as the artistic director of Lincoln Center.
Together, they raised three children—David, Katie, and Amy—often bringing them to rehearsals and performances. As Amy Irving once recalled, “Instead of using babysitters, Mama would put us in the front row where she could watch us from the stage.”
A Family of Artists—and a Surprising Spielberg Connection
The Irving family was a creative powerhouse. Alongside director Herbert Blau and his wife Beatrice Manley, Priscilla and Jules co-founded the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop in 1962, a hub for innovative theater that shaped the American stage.
Priscilla’s daughter, Amy Irving, would go on to become a celebrated actress in her own right—and, for a time, the wife of legendary director Steven Spielberg.
Their marriage from 1985 to 1989 made Priscilla Spielberg’s mother-in-law, a fun bit of Hollywood trivia that connects her to some of the biggest names in film history.
A Career That Spanned Generations
While raising her children, Priscilla never strayed far from the stage. But as her family grew, she returned to the screen with renewed vigor in the 1970s.
She landed a memorable role in Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie, playing Mrs. Snell—the mother of Sue Snell, portrayed by her real-life daughter Amy.
The two would share the screen again in other projects, a testament to their close bond and shared talent.
Pointer’s filmography reads like a who’s who of classic American cinema and television.
She appeared in the cult favorite Blue Velvet (1986) as the mother of Kyle MacLachlan’s character, and in the infamous Mommie Dearest (1981) as Mrs. Chadwick, the headmistress who dares to challenge Faye Dunaway’s Joan Crawford.
Her television credits are equally impressive, with guest spots on The A-Team, LA Law, St. Elsewhere, ER, Judging Amy, and Cold Case, among many others.
The Dallas Years: A Soap Opera Icon
For many, Priscilla Pointer will always be Rebecca Wentworth, the long-lost mother of Cliff and Pam Barnes on Dallas.
Her 44-episode run from 1981 to 1983 was a highlight of the show’s golden era, as her character’s dramatic return upended the rivalry between the wealthy Ewings and the struggling Barnes family.
Fans still remember the shock and excitement of discovering that Cliff and Pam’s mother was alive—and rich—all along.
A Life of Love, Loss, and Resilience
Priscilla’s personal life was marked by both joy and heartbreak. She lost her first husband, Jules Irving, to a heart attack in 1979.
The following year, she married Robert Symonds, a fellow theater veteran and former deputy director of the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center. Their partnership lasted until his death in 2007.
Through it all, Priscilla remained devoted to her family, her craft, and her beloved dogs. She celebrated her 100th birthday last May, surrounded by her three children and eight grandchildren—a testament to a life well-lived.
Her daughter, actress Amy Irving, shared the news with fans, writing that her mother had “died peacefully in her sleep… hopefully to run off with her 2 adoring husbands and her many dogs. She most definitely will be missed.”
A Lasting Legacy
Priscilla Pointer’s final screen appearance was a voice role in the 2008 TV movie Sweet Nothing In My Ear, capping off a career that spanned more than six decades.
Her influence can still be felt in the worlds of theater, film, and television, and in the lives of the many actors and artists she inspired.
As we remember Priscilla Pointer, we celebrate not just her remarkable longevity, but her unwavering commitment to her art, her family, and her values.
She was a trailblazer, a mentor, and a beloved mother and grandmother.
Did you grow up watching Dallas or remember Priscilla Pointer from her many film and TV roles? Do you have a favorite performance or a story about how her work touched your life? We’d love to hear your memories and tributes in the comments below!
But did you know that this Hollywood legend was once Steven Spielberg’s mother-in-law? That’s just one of the many fascinating chapters in her extraordinary life.
From New York Roots to the Silver Screen
Born Priscilla Marie Pointer in New York City in 1924, she was destined for a life in the arts.
The daughter of two artists, she was drawn to the stage from a young age, making her mark in theater during the 1940s.
By the 1950s, she was already appearing on television, including a supporting role in the adventure series China Smith.
But for Priscilla, family and art were always intertwined. She married Jules Irving, a filmmaker and theater director who would go on to serve as the artistic director of Lincoln Center.
Priscilla Pointer, the Hollywood actress best known for her role as Rebecca Wentworth on the 1980s soap opera Dallas, has died aged 100. Image source: SUNews / Youtube.
Together, they raised three children—David, Katie, and Amy—often bringing them to rehearsals and performances. As Amy Irving once recalled, “Instead of using babysitters, Mama would put us in the front row where she could watch us from the stage.”
A Family of Artists—and a Surprising Spielberg Connection
The Irving family was a creative powerhouse. Alongside director Herbert Blau and his wife Beatrice Manley, Priscilla and Jules co-founded the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop in 1962, a hub for innovative theater that shaped the American stage.
Priscilla’s daughter, Amy Irving, would go on to become a celebrated actress in her own right—and, for a time, the wife of legendary director Steven Spielberg.
Their marriage from 1985 to 1989 made Priscilla Spielberg’s mother-in-law, a fun bit of Hollywood trivia that connects her to some of the biggest names in film history.
A Career That Spanned Generations
While raising her children, Priscilla never strayed far from the stage. But as her family grew, she returned to the screen with renewed vigor in the 1970s.
She landed a memorable role in Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie, playing Mrs. Snell—the mother of Sue Snell, portrayed by her real-life daughter Amy.
Pointer was the mother of actress Amy Irving, who announced her passing, and was once the mother-in-law of filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Image source: SUNews / Youtube.
The two would share the screen again in other projects, a testament to their close bond and shared talent.
Pointer’s filmography reads like a who’s who of classic American cinema and television.
She appeared in the cult favorite Blue Velvet (1986) as the mother of Kyle MacLachlan’s character, and in the infamous Mommie Dearest (1981) as Mrs. Chadwick, the headmistress who dares to challenge Faye Dunaway’s Joan Crawford.
Her television credits are equally impressive, with guest spots on The A-Team, LA Law, St. Elsewhere, ER, Judging Amy, and Cold Case, among many others.
The Dallas Years: A Soap Opera Icon
For many, Priscilla Pointer will always be Rebecca Wentworth, the long-lost mother of Cliff and Pam Barnes on Dallas.
Her 44-episode run from 1981 to 1983 was a highlight of the show’s golden era, as her character’s dramatic return upended the rivalry between the wealthy Ewings and the struggling Barnes family.
Over her long career, Pointer appeared in a range of iconic films and television series, including Blue Velvet, Carrie, Mommie Dearest, LA Law, and ER. Image source: SUNews / Youtube.
Fans still remember the shock and excitement of discovering that Cliff and Pam’s mother was alive—and rich—all along.
A Life of Love, Loss, and Resilience
Priscilla’s personal life was marked by both joy and heartbreak. She lost her first husband, Jules Irving, to a heart attack in 1979.
The following year, she married Robert Symonds, a fellow theater veteran and former deputy director of the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center. Their partnership lasted until his death in 2007.
Through it all, Priscilla remained devoted to her family, her craft, and her beloved dogs. She celebrated her 100th birthday last May, surrounded by her three children and eight grandchildren—a testament to a life well-lived.
Priscilla Pointer is survived by her three children—including Amy Irving—and eight grandchildren, after a century-long life dedicated to the arts. Image source: SUNews / Youtube.
Her daughter, actress Amy Irving, shared the news with fans, writing that her mother had “died peacefully in her sleep… hopefully to run off with her 2 adoring husbands and her many dogs. She most definitely will be missed.”
A Lasting Legacy
Priscilla Pointer’s final screen appearance was a voice role in the 2008 TV movie Sweet Nothing In My Ear, capping off a career that spanned more than six decades.
Her influence can still be felt in the worlds of theater, film, and television, and in the lives of the many actors and artists she inspired.
As we remember Priscilla Pointer, we celebrate not just her remarkable longevity, but her unwavering commitment to her art, her family, and her values.
She was a trailblazer, a mentor, and a beloved mother and grandmother.
Did you grow up watching Dallas or remember Priscilla Pointer from her many film and TV roles? Do you have a favorite performance or a story about how her work touched your life? We’d love to hear your memories and tributes in the comments below!
