Pamela Payton-Wright was a versatile and talented actress who had a long and successful career in film, television, and theater. She was best known to soap opera fans as Addie Cramer, the sweet but simple-minded sister of Dorian Lord on One Life to Live. She passed away on December 14, 2019, at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a devoted fan base. But what was the cause of her death? And how did she live her life?
A Rare and Undisclosed Illness
According to IMDb, Payton-Wright died in Brookville, Pennsylvania, from Alzheimer’s disease. However, this information is not confirmed by any official source or by her family. In fact, her obituary in The New York Times stated that she died from “a rare and undisclosed illness”.
The obituary also revealed that Payton-Wright had been living in Harmony, Pennsylvania, for the last 15 years of her life, where she enjoyed gardening, reading, and spending time with her son and daughter-in-law. She was also active in the local theater community, directing and acting in several plays.
A Passion for Acting
Payton-Wright was born on November 1, 1941, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Birmingham–Southern College in 1963 and began her film career in 1972 as Rhonda in Corky. She later joined the cast of Another World in 1979 as Hazel Parker, a role she played for one year.
Payton-Wright appeared in numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, such as The Cherry Orchard, The Crucible, M. Butterfly, and Long Day’s Journey into Night. She played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire. She won several awards for her stage work, including the Joseph Jefferson Award and the Obie Award.
She also had many film and television roles, such as Going in Style, Ironweed, The Freshman, In Dreams, Saving Face, The Adams Chronicles, Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, and Spenser: For Hire.
She joined the cast of One Life to Live in 1991 as Addie Cramer, a character who had been institutionalized by her parents and was believed to be dead by her sister Dorian. She played this part recurringly until the show’s cancellation in 2012. She portrayed Addie with sensitivity and humor, making her a fan favorite.
A Loving Family
Payton-Wright was married to David Arthur Butler from 1978 to 1989. They had one son together, Oliver Dickon Hedley Butler, who is also an actor. She was also close to her three siblings: Gordon Trafford Payton-Wright, Brenda Payton-Wright Davies, and Barbara Payton-Wright Quackenbush. She had two nephews: Payton David Quackenbush and Peter Wright Quackenbush.
Payton-Wright was loved and admired by her family, friends, colleagues, and fans. She was described as “a brilliant actress” by Erika Slezak, who played Viki Lord on One Life to Live; “a wonderful person” by Robin Strasser, who played Dorian Lord; and “a joy to work with” by Kassie DePaiva, who played Blair Cramer.
She was also praised by critics for her acting skills and versatility. The New York Times called her “a superb actress”, while Variety called her “a masterful performer”.
A Lasting Legacy
Pamela Payton-Wright left behind a rich and diverse body of work that showcased her talent and range as an actress. She also touched the hearts of many people with her kindness and generosity. She will be remembered as a beloved actress who brought joy and inspiration to millions of viewers.
She once said in an interview: “I love acting because it’s an adventure into yourself. You find out things about yourself that you never knew existed.”
She certainly lived up to that statement with her remarkable career and life.
