Sylvia Field Truex; Movie and TV Actress
Sylvia Field Truex, the versatile actress on stage, film and television who was best remembered as Mrs. Wilson on the early 1960s television series “Dennis the Menace,” has died. She was 97.
Truex, the widow of actor and comedian Ernest Truex and known professionally as Sylvia Field, died July 31 in a nursing home in Fallbrook northeast of San Diego.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. Aug. 13, 1998 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday August 13, 1998 Home Edition Part A Page 24 Metro Desk 3 inches; 73 words Type of Material: Correction
Truex donations--An obituary in Wednesday’s Times for actress Sylvia Field Truex suggested that any memorial donations be made to the Screen Actors Retirement Home, 335 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. Carol Pfannkuche, spokeswoman for the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement and hospital facilities in Woodland Hills, said checks should be directed to the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation, 22212 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364. Truex died July 31 in Fallbrook, Calif., at the age of 97.
On the popular “Dennis” series, starring Jay North as Hank Ketcham’s cartoon imp Dennis, Truex portrayed Martha Wilson from 1959 through 1962. Her garrulous husband, George, was played by Joseph Kearns, who died before the end of the 1962 season.
The better known Gayle Gordon moved in as George’s brother and Martha’s house guest, John Wilson, to finish out the season. But the next fall, the show’s final year, Martha Wilson disappeared in favor of John’s wife, Eloise Wilson, played by actress Sara Seegar.
Nevertheless, it was Truex who was forever recognized in restaurants and shops as “Mrs. Wilson,” the kindly lady next door who always had a smile and a plate of cookies ready for little Dennis.
The actress appeared in 33 other television shows, including episodes of “Perry Mason,” “The Mickey Mouse Club,” “The Millionaire,” “Father Knows Best,” “Hazel” and “Harry O.”
A native of Boston, Sylvia Field began her career at 17 when she performed in a play called “The Bluebird” in New York. She amassed stage credits in more than 40 Broadway plays.
After she married Truex, she participated in a local television series featuring members of their family--her introduction to the small screen.
The actress also appeared in several motion pictures, starting with one silent, “The Exalted Flapper,” and a newfangled talkie, “Voice of the City,” both in 1929. She made several wartime films, including “Tillie the Toiler,” “Blondie for Victory,” “Nobody’s Darling,” “The Great Moment,” “Her Primitive Man,” “Junior Miss” and “Salome, Where She Danced.” Her final two movies were “All Mine to Give” in 1957 and “Annette” in 1958.
She continued making television commercials and guest appearances into her 80s.
Truex is survived by three stepsons, Philip Truex of Carlsbad, Barry Truex of Canyon Country, and James Truex of Long Island, N.Y., and three grandsons.
The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Screen Actors Retirement Home, 335 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. 90036.
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
