Sheila Mathews Allen (born Sheila Marie Mathews, February 2, 1929 – November 15, 2013) was an American actress and producer.

Life and career

Allen was born in New York City to Christopher Joseph and Elizabeth (née McCloskey) Mathews, both immigrants from Ireland. She was married to producer

Irwin Allen Irwin Allen (born Irwin O. Cohen, June 12, 1916 – November 2, 1991) was an American film and television producer and director, known for his work in science fiction, then later as the "Master of Disaster" for his work in the disaster film genr ...

until his death in 1991. She appeared in several of her husband's TV series and movies through to 1986. Appearances include '' City Beneath the Sea'', ''

Lost in Space ''Lost in Space'' is an American science fiction television series, created and produced by Irwin Allen, which originally aired between 1965 and 1968 on CBS. The series was inspired by the 1812 novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson.'' The series fo ...

'', ''

Land of the Giants ''Land of the Giants'' is a one-hour American science fiction television series that aired on ABC for two seasons, beginning on September 22, 1968 and ending on March 22, 1970. The show was created and produced by Irwin Allen. ''Land of the Gi ...

'', '' The Poseidon Adventure'' and ''

The Towering Inferno ''The Towering Inferno'' is a 1974 American disaster film directed by John Guillermin and produced by Irwin Allen, featuring an ensemble cast led by Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. It was adapted by Stirling Silliphant from the novels '' The Towe ...

''. Following his death in 1991 she remained on the board of Irwin Allen Productions. She also served as a producer on the 2002 television remake of ''

The Time Tunnel ''The Time Tunnel'' is an American color science fiction TV series written around a theme of time travel adventure starring James Darren and Robert Colbert. The show was creator-producer Irwin Allen's third science-fiction television series and ...

'' and as Executive Producer of the film ''

Poseidon Poseidon (; grc-gre, Ποσειδῶν) was one of the Twelve Olympians in ancient Greek religion and myth, god of the sea, storms, earthquakes and horses.Burkert 1985pp. 136–139 In pre-Olympian Bronze Age Greece, he was venerated as a ...

'' in 2006.

Death

She died on November 15, 2013, at her home in Malibu, California, after an extended battle with

pulmonary fibrosis Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs become scarred over time. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a dry cough, feeling tired, weight loss, and nail clubbing. Complications may include pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failu ...

Filmography

Television

* ''

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ''Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea'' is a 1961 American science fiction disaster film, produced and directed by Irwin Allen, and starring Walter Pidgeon and Robert Sterling. The supporting cast includes Peter Lorre, Joan Fontaine, Barbara Eden, M ...

'' (1964, 1 episode) as Mrs. Melton * ''

'' (1965-1968, 3 episodes) as Aunt Gamma / Brynhilda / Ruth Templeton * ''

'', (1966-1967, TV series) as Producer * ''

'' (1969-1970, 2 episodes) as Miss Collier, Nurse Helg, respectively * '' City Beneath the Sea'' (1971, TV movie) as Blonde Woman * ''

The Waltons ''The Waltons'' is an American historical drama television series about a family in rural Virginia during the Great Depression and World War II. It was created by Earl Hamner Jr., based on his 1961 book '' Spencer's Mountain'' and the 1963 fil ...

'' (1976-1978, 5 episodes) as Fanny Tatum * '' Alice in Wonderland'' (1985, TV movie) as Alice's Mother * ''

Outrage! OutRage! was a British political group focused on lesbian and gay rights. Founded in 1990, the organisation ran for 21 years until 2011. It described itself as "a broad based group of queers committed to radical, non-violent direct action and ...

'' (1986, TV movie) as Mrs. Delehanty

References

External links

* * * * 1929 births 2013 deaths Film producers from New York (state) Actresses from New York City American television actresses 20th-century American actresses American film actresses Deaths from pulmonary fibrosis American people of Irish descent American women film producers 21st-century American women {{US-film-actor-1920s-stub