Veteran Actress Gwen Van Dam Dies at 96 After Seven-Decade Career

The prolific character actress passed away on December 19 at her West Los Angeles home due to a recurrence of cancer.

Gwen Van Dam's career spanned 70 years, with 140 acting credits across film, television, and stage productions.
Her notable roles included appearances in 'Halloween,' 'Star Trek: Generations,' and the TV series 'Homecoming' and 'Interior Chinatown.'
Van Dam was active in Los Angeles theater, performing with 14 companies and earning multiple acting awards for her stage work.
She turned down a Hollywood contract early in her career, a decision she later called a mistake, but continued to build a successful career in acting.
Van Dam is survived by her two children and three grandchildren, with a memorial service planned in February in Hollywood.