Madlyn Rhue's career spanned nearly 40 years and included appearances in diverse shows
like The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Star Trek, Hawaii Five-O and The Untouchables. Although she appeared mainly on television, she had roles in a few theatrical release films including It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World in 1966 which boasted an all-star cast with the likes of Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle and Ethel Merman.
In 1977, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative nerve disease. She continued to work despite the debilitating effects of MS, appearing in shows like Hart to Hart, Fantasy Island, Dynasty, Fame and the long-running soap Days of Our Lives.
Her last series appearance was a recurring role in Murder, She Wrote as librarian Jean O'Neill. Reportedly series star Angela Landsbury heard that Rhue was about to lose her Screen Actors Guild medical coverage due to her lack of work and earnings and had the librarian character created for Rhue so she could meet the union requirement and keep her medical benefits. The role allowed Rhue to sit behind a desk and assist Landsbury's character in her investigations.
By 1993, Rhue was too ill to work. She retired from acting and moved to a nursing facility. She passed away in 2003 from complications from multiple sclerosis. [-] Hide Full Biography
Madlyn Rhue's career spanned nearly 40 years and included appearances in diverse shows
like The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Star Trek, Hawaii Five-O and The Untouchables. Although she appeared mainly on television, she had roles in a few theatrical release films including It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World in 1966 which boasted an all-star cast with the likes of Spencer Tracy, Milton Berle and Ethel Merman.
In 1977, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative nerve disease. She continued to work despite the debilitating effects of MS, appearing in shows like Hart to Hart, Fantasy Island, Dynasty, Fame and the long-running soap Days of Our Lives.
Her last series appearance was a recurring role in Murder, She Wrote as librarian Jean O'Neill. Reportedly series star Angela Landsbury heard that Rhue was about to lose her Screen Actors Guild medical coverage due to her lack of work and earnings and had the librarian character created for Rhue so she could meet the union [+] Show Full Biography
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