Betty Harford, the television actress best known for her roles on the ABC soap opera *Dynasty* and CBS/Showtime’s serialized adaptation of *The Paper Chase*, has died at the age of 98. Her death was confirmed by friend Wendy Mitchell, who wrote on Facebook that Harford “passed away peacefully with family at her side, noon on November 2, 2025.”
In *The Paper Chase*, based on the 1971 John Jay Osborn Jr. novel and the subsequent 1973 film adaptation starring John Houseman (who won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role), Harford portrayed the supremely efficient legal secretary Mrs. Nottingham. The character worked for longtime law professor Charles W. Kingsfield, a role originated and reprised by Houseman in the series. The show followed the lives of law students such as lead James T. Hart (played by James Stephens) at a fictional university modeled after Harvard. It first aired on CBS from 1978 to 1979 before being canceled and later resurrected by Showtime for three more seasons starting in 1983, culminating in James’ graduation from law school.
Later in her career, Harford had a recurring role as Hilda Gunnerson on the soap opera *Dynasty*, which chronicled the rivalries between two oil-wealthy families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, set in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Gunnerson worked as a staff member and chef for John Forsythe’s Blake Carrington across 34 episodes and reprised her role for the 1991 reunion miniseries.
In addition to these notable performances, Harford appeared in a variety of popular television series including *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (and its continuation *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour*), *Gunsmoke*, *Dr. Kildare*, *The Twilight Zone*, and *The Big Valley*.
On the film side, Harford appeared as Mrs. Forbes, the caretaker for Sandra Dee’s Rosalie Stocker, in the 1959 film *The Wild and the Innocent*. She also played the sister to Natalie Wood’s titular character in the 1965 movie *Inside Daisy Clover*.
Throughout her career, Harford collaborated several times with director James Bridges, who helmed both *The Paper Chase* film and helped develop the television series. She appeared in a 1963 episode of *The Great Adventure* written by Bridges, played a nurse in his 1977 film *September 30, 1955*, and featured in his 1979 action-thriller *The China Syndrome*.
Harford was also a member of the UCLA Theatre Group in the 1960s, an organization supported by renowned actors such as Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint.
Betty Harford’s extensive career and memorable performances have left a lasting impact on television and film. She will be fondly remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
https://deadline.com/2025/11/betty-harford-dead-dynasty-the-paper-chase-actress-1236612229/
