Gwen Welles

Gwen Welles (March 4, 1947 - October 13, 1993) was an American actress of stage and screen. She was born in Chattanooga Tennessee as Gwen Goldberg; she was not, as is often reported, the daughter of Rebecca Welles (1944-2004), but rather the daughter of Rebecca Welles (Weis).

Welles is best known for her portrayal of talentless singer Sueleen Gay in Robert Altman's classic 1975 film Nashville, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Welles also appeared in several films directed by Henry Jaglom, including "New Year's Day" (1989) and "Eating" (1990).

Welles was a beautiful redhead and appeared in Playboy magazine in 1975. She suffered bouts of drug addiction which she overcame. Welles was married to actor Harris Yulin. She died in 1993 from anal-rectal cancer. Her younger sister Elizabeth died of colon cancer ten years later. Donna Deitch directed a documentary about Welles' illness in 1992 which appeared at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.

Selected Filmography

* "A Safe Place" (1971)
* "Hit!" (1973)
*"California Split" (1974)
*"Nashville" (1975)
*"Between the Lines" (1977)
*"Star 80" (1983)
*"Desert Hearts" (1986)
*"New Years Day" (1989)
*"Eating" (1990)

External links