Leslie Parrish, the American actress known for her roles in the Paramount Pictures musical Li'l Abner and John Frankenheimer's The Manchurian Candidate, has passed away at the age of 90. Born Marjorie Hellen on March 18, 1935, in Melrose, Massachusetts, Parrish lived a life that spanned multiple decades, industries, and passions.
A Career in the Spotlight
Parrish began her career in the entertainment industry as a model for the Conover Agency in New York City. She then signed with Fox in 1954 and appeared in films such as A Man Called Peter, Daddy Long Legs, and The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing in 1955. Parrish's breakout role came when she starred as Daisy Mae in the 1959 movie version of Li'l Abner opposite Peter Palmer. Bosley Crowther in his New York Times review said Parrish "fills [the part] out generously."
In addition to her film work, Parrish also appeared in numerous television shows, including Star Trek, Batman, and The Wild Wild West. One of her most memorable guest-starring turns on television was as Carolyn Palamas, the USS Enterprise's archaeology and anthropology officer, in the Star Trek episode "Who Mourns for Adonais?" Parrish's portrayal of Glacia Glaze, a lovely ice skater and henchwoman in cahoots with Mr. Freeze (Eli Wallach), on Batman is also notable.
A Life Beyond the Spotlight
Parrish's life extended far beyond her acting career. She was a fervent antiwar activist and participated in a peace march in Century City on June 23, 1967, alongside thousands of other demonstrators. In 1968, she stated, "An actress deals in emotions and therefore should be aware of the anguish and suffering going on around her." Parrish was also involved in various charitable causes, including helping to create an organization called STOP! (Speakers and Talent Organized for Peace) and producing rock concerts and other events to raise money for the peace movement.
Parrish was married twice, first to singer/lyricist Ric Marlow from 1955-61, and then to author Richard Bach in 1981. The couple divorced in 1999, but Parrish remained a source of inspiration for Bach, who wrote two books, The Bridge Across Forever and One, based on their relationship. Parrish also bought back Bach's copyrights after he declared bankruptcy and relinquished rights to royalties from his books to the government in 1981.
A Legacy of Conservation
One of Parrish's most enduring legacies is her work in conservation. She and Bach donated conservation easements in a series of transactions over the years that now protect 168 acres of forest land and wildlife habitat in Washington on the Spring Hill Wildlife Sanctuary on Orcas Island's Mount Woolard. Parrish described her donation as "a dream come true and one of the best things I've done in my life." She added, "You don't have to have children to enjoy the idea of preserving land for future generations. It's what I'm most proud of, and it will surely, more than any other work I've ever done, be the accomplishment that outlasts me."
The sanctuary has acknowledged Parrish's death, and her legacy as a devoted conservationist will continue to inspire future generations. As the world mourns the loss of this talented and multifaceted individual, we remember Leslie Parrish as a shining example of the impact one person can have on the world.
Source: Hollywood Reporter