Rebecca Balding, a charming and engaging brunette actress, was born on September 21, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She began her acting career on television in the mid-1970s, showcasing her talents in a variety of roles.
One of her most notable early performances was as Carol David, the surrogate mother of gay character Jodie Dallas, in the popular comedy series Soap (1977). She also appeared as a cub reporter on Lou Grant (1977) and as a receptionist girlfriend on the sitcom Makin' It (1979).
In the early 1980s, Balding starred in two horror films, The Silent Scream (1979) and The Boogens (1981),showcasing her ability to play both a heroine and a damsel in distress. Although her time as a scream queen was short-lived, she continued to appear in numerous television shows throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Balding's impressive guest spot credits include appearances on ER (1994),Melrose Place (1992),Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990),Home Improvement (1991),MacGyver (1985),Our House (1986),Family Ties (1982),Trapper John, M.D. (1979),Hotel (1983),Matt Houston (1982),Gimme a Break! (1981),The Insiders (1985),Cagney & Lacey (1981),This Is the Life (1952),I'm a Big Girl Now (1980),Supertrain (1979),Barnaby Jones (1973),The Bionic Woman (1976),and Starsky and Hutch (1975).
In addition to her television work, Balding appeared in several made-for-TV movies, including the drama gem The Gathering (1977) and its sequel, The Gathering, Part II (1979). She also gave a touching performance as Edward Asner's estranged daughter in The Gathering.
In her later years, Balding appeared in a recurring role as Phoebe's boss Elise Rothman on the popular series Charmed (1998). She was married to producer James L. Conway from 1981 until her death at the age of 73 in 2022. She was also survived by two daughters.
