Veteran actress Priscilla Pointer, recognized for her roles in the soap opera “Dallas” and the horror film “Carrie,” passed away at the age of 100. Pointer died on April 28, 2025, in an assisted-living facility in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Her son, David Irving, confirmed her death to USA TODAY on April 29.
The actress, whose career lasted six decades in theater, film, and television, died of natural causes. Her daughter, Amy Irving, who is an Oscar-nominated actress, shared a tribute on Instagram with family photos through the years.
“Priscilla Pointer, acclaimed stage television and film actress, and mother of David, Katie, and Amy Irving, died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 100, hopefully to run off with her 2 adoring husbands and her many dogs,” Amy wrote. “She most definitely will be missed.”
Born on May 18, 1924, in New York City, to artists Augusta and Kenneth Pointer, she began her career in theater, performing in productions such as “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “The Country Wife,” and “The Condemned of Altona.” Pointer co-founded the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop with her first husband, Jules Irving, whom she met during an army production of “Brother Rat” after World War II.
Pointer’s television debut was in 1954 with a two-episode appearance on “The New Adventures of China Smith.” In the 1970s, she appeared in multiple television series, including “McCloud,” “The Rockford Files,” “Kojak,” “Police Woman,” and “Phyllis.”
Her film career began in 1976 with appearances in “The Great Texas Dynamite Chase,” “Carrie,” and “Nickelodeon.” In “Carrie,” Pointer acted with her daughter Amy, who portrayed Sue Snell. Pointer played Sue’s mother, a role that became one of her most recognizable.
Pointer’s filmography includes “Looking for Mr. Goodbar” (1977), “The Onion Field,” “Mommie Dearest,” “The Falcon and the Snowman,” and David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet” (1986). She frequently portrayed mothers and authority figures, establishing herself as a respected character actress.
In the early 1980s, Pointer was known for her role on “Dallas,” where she played Rebecca Barnes Wentworth from 1981 to 1983. This role increased her recognition in the soap opera genre.
Pointer frequently worked with her family. She appeared in seven films with her daughter Amy and collaborated on several projects directed by her son, David Irving, including the 1987 film “Rumpelstiltskin,” starring Amy with Billy Barty and Clive Revill.
Pointer’s personal life included two significant marriages. She married Jules Irving in 1947, and they remained married until his death in 1979. The couple had three children: Katie, David, and Amy Irving. David is a professor at USC, and Amy is a successful actress. After Jules’ death, Pointer married actor Robert Symonds, with whom she also collaborated professionally.
Even in her later years, Pointer continued acting throughout the 1990s, appearing in series such as “The Flash,” “ER,” “Touched by An Angel,” “St. Elsewhere,” “Judging Amy,” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987). Her last credit was a voice role in the 2008 TV movie “Sweet Nothing in My Ear,” starring Jeff Daniels.
Before her extensive film and TV work, Pointer was a formidable stage actress. She appeared in several Broadway productions and was part of the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center company. Her theatrical work laid the foundation for her career across entertainment media.
Pointer’s ability to portray complex maternal figures made her a sought-after actress for such roles. She portrayed the on-screen mother to characters played by Diane Keaton, Sean Penn, Kyle MacLachlan, and Victoria Principal. This versatility and consistency helped sustain her career over many decades.
The actress’s lengthy career is a testament to her resilience and talent. Her work spans from the golden age of television to modern entertainment, with credits in nearly every genre, including horror, drama, and comedy.
Pointer is survived by her three children, including David and Amy Irving, and several grandchildren.
