Veteran actress and 1970s starlet Betty Anne Rees has passed away at the age of 81.
According to her niece, Kathleen Loucks, the performer, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early ’90s, died on June 3 at her home in Hemet, California, following a series of falls and a possible stroke.
Rees, an Ohio native, kicked off her Hollywood primetime career with an appearance on the TV series Shane in 1966. She went on to make guest appearances on popular shows such as Mannix, Medical Center, and Barnaby Jones.
One of her notable roles was in The Unholy Rollers, where she played a skater unhappy about a new athlete joining the team. The movie was produced by Roger Corman and co-written and directed by the late Vernon Zimmerman, with editing by the renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
In 1972’s The Unholy Roller, Rees portrayed a roller derby skater unhappy about a new athlete’s arrival
In the film, Rees starred as the antagonist to 1970 Playboy Playmate of the Year Claudia Jennings. The movie was quickly put together following the success of the Raquel Welch roller derby film Kansas City Bomber.
Rees also gained recognition for her performance in Sugar Hill, where she played the girlfriend of a racist mobster. The character, Celeste, meets her demise when the title character, Diana ‘Sugar’ Hill, played by Marki Bey, uses voodoo to raise her enslaved ancestors and avenge her boyfriend’s murder.
In 1974’s Sugar Hill, Rees’ character faces consequences due to voodoo magic
Rees’ other film credits include Deathmaster and The Photographer. She also appeared as the secretary to Fred MacMurray’s Steve Douglas in three episodes of My Three Sons during its final season in 1971-72.
Her last credited role, according to IMDB, was a guest spot on The Incredible Hulk in 1978.
After leaving the acting profession, Rees channeled her creativity into designing kitchens and managing Gloria Marshall Figure Salons. She is also said to have invented the Executive Teething Ring, a quirky 1980s gift idea for bosses.
Rees is survived by her niece, sister Barbara, nephew Brian, and her cats, Honey Bear and Lovey, who are now in need of a new home. Those interested can contact Loucks at [email protected].
