Noreen Corcoran, best known for playing the adopted niece of John Forsythe’s character on the sitcom Bachelor Father, died on January 15, 2016, at the age of 72. Her death was caused by cardiopulmonary disease, a condition that affects the heart and lungs. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Noreen Corcoran, as well as the details of her illness and death.
A Family of Actors
Noreen Corcoran was born on October 20, 1943, in Quincy, Massachusetts, as the third of eight children. Her father, William Henry Corcoran Sr., worked in maintenance at the MGM studio, and her mother, Kathleen Hildegarde Corcoran (née McKenney), was a homemaker. Many of her siblings also pursued acting careers, including Donna Corcoran, who starred in Angels in the Outfield (1951), Kevin Corcoran, who appeared in Old Yeller (1957) and several Disney shows, and Brian Corcoran, who had roles in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and The Donna Reed Show. Noreen’s family moved to Santa Monica, California, when she was a child.
A Breakthrough Role
Noreen Corcoran made her film debut in Apache Drums (1951), playing a child. She then appeared in several movies, such as Hans Christian Andersen (1952), I Love Melvin (1953), Young Bess (1953), and So This Is Love (1953), a biopic of singer Grace Moore. She also had guest roles on various TV shows, such as The Adventures of Kit Carson, The Loretta Young Show, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, and General Electric Theater.
Her breakthrough role came in 1957, when she was cast as Kelly Gregg on Bachelor Father, a sitcom about a wealthy bachelor lawyer who raises his orphaned niece with the help of his houseboy. Noreen Corcoran got the part after being recommended by Ronald Reagan, who had seen her screen tests. Bachelor Father ran for five seasons on three different networks (CBS, NBC, and ABC), and was one of the first TV shows to depict a single-parent household. Noreen Corcoran grew up on screen as Kelly Gregg, who went from a 13-year-old girl to a college-bound young woman.
A Short-Lived Career
After Bachelor Father ended in 1962, Noreen Corcoran continued to act in films and TV shows. She starred in Gidget Goes to Rome (1963) and The Girls on the Beach (1965), two teen-oriented movies. She also appeared on such shows as Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, Gunsmoke, and The Big Valley. She also recorded a song called “Love Kitten”, which was released as a single in 1962.
However, Noreen Corcoran’s acting career did not last long. Her last role was in an episode of The Big Valley in 1965. She then retired from show business and pursued other interests. She attended Fresno State University from 1962 to 1964, but did not graduate. She later worked at the Lewitzky Dance Company for over a decade.
A Quiet Life and Death
Noreen Corcoran never married nor had children. She lived a quiet life away from the spotlight. She died on January 15, 2016, at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, California. The cause of death was cardiopulmonary disease, which is a term that covers various disorders that affect the heart and lungs. Some of these disorders include coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary embolism.
Noreen Corcoran’s death came just three months after the death of her brother Kevin Corcoran, who also died of cancer at the age of 66. Another brother, Brian Corcoran, had died in February 2014 at the age of 61. Noreen Corcoran is survived by her sister Donna Corcoran and another sister Kerry Corcoran.
Noreen Corcoran will always be remembered as Kelly Gregg on Bachelor Father, one of the most popular TV shows of its time. She was a talented actress who charmed audiences with her innocence and sweetness. She left behind a legacy of entertainment and joy for generations to come.