Abby Dalton, born Gladys Marlene Wasden on August 15, 1932, in Las Vegas, Nevada, began her career as a teen magazine cover model and appeared on record album jackets. She later became a member of an acting company led by writer/producer Roger Corman, making her debut in the low-grade beatnik film Rock All Night (1957).
Dalton continued to work with Corman, appearing in films such as Teenage Doll (1957),Carnival Rock (1957),Stakeout on Dope Street (1958),and The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1957). Outside of the Corman fold, she appeared in Cole Younger, Gunfighter (1958) and Girls on the Loose (1958).
Dalton transitioned to television, popping up on several popular westerns, including Have Gun - Will Travel (1957),Rawhide (1959),Maverick (1957),The Rifleman (1958),and Sugarfoot (1957). She earned a steady role on Jackie Cooper's Hennesey (1959) series and received an Emmy nomination for her performance.
Dalton's most notable role was as Joey Bishop's wife on The Joey Bishop Show (1961),where she gave birth to a TV baby played by her real-life infant son, Matthew David Smith. Her daughter, Kathleen Kinmont, also appeared on the program.
After The Joey Bishop Show ended its four-season run, Dalton became a mainstay panelist on The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (1965),showing off her off-the-cuff humor and sexy edge alongside Cliff Arquette, Wally Cox, and Rose Marie. She also appeared on Jonathan Winters' show, playing Margaret, his wife.
Dalton's film work during the 1960s was limited, with one notable appearance as "Calamity Jane" opposite Don Murray's Wild Bill Hickok and Guy Stockwell's Buffalo Bill Cody in the remake of The Plainsman (1966). She focused primarily on television, appearing in various shows throughout the 1970s.
In the 1980s, Dalton joined the original cast of the prime-time soap Falcon Crest (1981),playing Julia Cumson, Jane Wyman's daughter and Lorenzo Lamas' mother. She eventually revealed her true colors as a murderous schemer. Her daughter, Kathleen Kinmont, was later married to Lorenzo Lamas.
After leaving Falcon Crest, Dalton appeared sporadically on TV and in films, including a short stint on a daytime soap. Her work continued until 1999, when she remained active in volunteer work. Dalton was twice married, producing three children, including daughter/actress Kathleen and son Matthew David.
