Evelyn Scott(1915-2002)
- Actress
Began her career as Los Angeles' first female disc jockey on radio
station KMPC. The actress became a regular on Peyton Place (1964) which was based
on a Grace Metalious novel and 1957 movie of the same title. Considered
scandalous for its time, the show depicted the extramarital affairs,
dark secrets and skulduggery of residents of a small New England town
called Peyton Place. Scott played Ada Jacks on the original TV series
from 1965 to 1969, reprised the role on Return to Peyton Place (1972) from 1972 to 1974 and
did it again for the 1985 TV movie _Peyton Place: The Next Generation (1985)(TV)_. Born in Brockton, Mass.,
the blue-eyed, red-haired Scott came to Los Angeles for a career in
show business. She started out as a disc jockey, the area's first woman
in that role, spinning records for KMPC's early morning "Wake-Up" show
and then became a singing DJ on KHJ's similar "Rise and Shine" morning
program. Scott began acting in local companies, including the Stage
Society, West Coast Theater, Civic Playhouse and Pasadena Playhouse. In
the 1950s, she had small roles in a handful of motion pictures,
including _Wicked Woman (1954)_, The Green-Eyed Blonde (1957) and I Want to Live! (1958) starring Susan Hayward. Scott also
appeared in episodes of such popular TV series as "Bonanza", "Gunsmoke"
and "Perry Mason". In her private life, Scott was involved for many
years as a board member of Portals House Inc., a center to aid mentally
troubled people. She also was a fund-raiser and major supporter of
OPICA Adult Day Care, which aids senior citizens, and regularly
recruited friends to help serve dinner to the homeless at Skid Row
centers. Formerly married to blacklisted writer Gene Stone, Scott
married importer Urban S. Hirsch Jr. in 1961. She is survived by Hirsch
and three stepchildren, Urban III, Rita and Karen.
