Nancy Malone was a talented actress, director, and producer who had a remarkable career in the entertainment industry. She was also a co-founder of Women in Film, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the advancement of women in media and communications. She passed away on May 8, 2014, at the age of 79, due to complications from leukemia and pneumonia. Here is a brief overview of her life and achievements, and how she influenced the role of women in Hollywood.
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From Child Model to Broadway Star
Nancy Malone was born as Ann Josefa Maloney on March 19, 1935, in Queens Village, New York. She was one of at least two children of James Maloney, a longshoreman, and Winnifred Shields, an Irish immigrant. She started her career as a child model, working with the John Robert Powers Agency. She gained fame when she appeared on the cover of Life magazine’s 10th anniversary issue in November 1946, wearing pigtails and a smile.
She made her Broadway debut at the age of 15, in the play Time Out For Ginger, where she played a girl who wanted to join a football team. She received positive reviews for her performance, and continued to act on stage and television throughout the 1950s. She appeared in shows such as I Remember Mama, Robert Montgomery Presents, and Suspense.
A Versatile Actress on Television and Film
In the 1960s, Malone became a popular actress on television, appearing in various genres and roles. She played Libby on the crime drama Naked City, for which she earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress in 1963. She also starred as Clara Varner on the soap opera The Long Hot Summer, based on the novel by William Faulkner. She guest-starred on several shows, including The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Route 66, Bonanza, The Big Valley, and The Andy Griffith Show.
She also appeared in some films, such as The Violent Years, The Last Voyage, and Capricorn One. She was known for her versatility, beauty, and charm, and worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, and Bob Hope.
A Pioneering Director and Producer in Hollywood
In the 1970s, Malone became frustrated with the limited roles and opportunities for women in the entertainment industry. She decided to pursue a career behind the camera, and became one of the first female directors and producers in Hollywood. She was invited by Tom Moore, the president of ABC, to join his production company, Tomorrow Entertainment, where she produced her first TV-film, Winner Take All, starring Shirley Jones.
She also formed her own company, Lilac Productions, and became the first female vice president of television at 20th Century Fox in 1976. She directed and produced several shows, such as The Bionic Woman, The Waltons, Dynasty, Melrose Place, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Sisters. She won an Emmy Award for producing the special Bob Hope: The First 90 Years in 1993. She was also nominated for two more Emmys for directing episodes of Sisters and The Trials of Rosie O’Neill.
A Co-Founder of Women in Film and a Crystal Award Recipient
Malone was not only a successful director and producer, but also a passionate advocate for women in the entertainment industry. She co-founded Women in Film in 1973, a nonprofit organization that aims to promote and empower women in media and communications. She served as the president of the organization from 1977 to 1979, and remained an active member until her death.
She was also the recipient of the first Crystal Award by Women in Film in 1977, an honor given to outstanding women who have helped to expand the role of women in the entertainment industry. She was recognized for her achievements, endurance, and excellence in her work.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Innovation
Nancy Malone was a trailblazer and a visionary in Hollywood. She broke barriers and stereotypes, and paved the way for many women to follow in her footsteps. She was a talented actress, a prolific director and producer, and a dedicated advocate for women. She left behind a legacy of inspiration and innovation, and a body of work that will be remembered for generations. She died on May 8, 2014, in Duarte, California, from complications of leukemia and pneumonia, according to People. She was 79 years old. She is survived by her brother, James Maloney, and her niece, Anne Malone.
