Annabel Schofield, a Welsh-born model who rose to prominence in London’s 1980s fashion scene before shifting to acting with a notable appearance on “Dallas,” has passed away at 62. Designer-model Catalina Guirado confirmed that Schofield died on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Los Angeles after battling cancer.
Born on Sept. 4, 1963, in Llanelli, Wales, Schofield was surrounded by the entertainment business from an early age. Her father, John D. Schofield, was a British film production executive involved with major Hollywood films like “Romancing the Stone,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “As Good as It Gets.” This early exposure to movie sets influenced her creative path across several industries for more than 40 years.
Schofield emerged as a signature figure of London’s bold 1980s fashion culture, a time when the city’s street-influenced style dominated global catwalks. Signed with London’s Take Two Agency, she appeared on hundreds of magazine covers—including Italian Vogue and Vogue Germany—and fronted major campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Rimmel, Revlon, and Boots No. 7. Her collaborations with iconic photographer David Bailey, who regarded her as one of his preferred models, solidified her place among the decade’s top talent.
She gained worldwide fame through a standout Bugle Boy Jeans commercial, where she drove a black Ferrari Testarossa across the desert and delivered the unforgettable line: “Excuse me, are those Bugle Boy jeans you’re wearing?” The ad became one of the late 1980s’ most recognizable fashion commercials and remains embedded in pop culture history.
Melissa Richardson, former head of London’s Take Two Agency, honored Schofield, saying, “She was the forerunner of Take Two—without her, we could never have made it as we did.”
At the peak of her modeling success, Schofield moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. She landed a 12-episode role on “Dallas” in 1988, portraying artist’s model Laurel Ellis opposite Larry Hagman’s legendary J.R. Ewing during the show’s 11th season. The part highlighted her natural on-screen charisma and marked a strong shift from fashion into TV.
Her movie roles included “Solar Crisis” alongside Charlton Heston, where she portrayed Alex Noffe, as well as appearances in “Dragonard” and “Eye of the Widow.” She later transitioned to behind-the-scenes production work on major films such as “The Brothers Grimm,” “Doom,” and “City of Ember.”
In 2010, Schofield launched Bella Bene Productions in Burbank, producing commercials, music content, and fashion projects as an executive producer. She collaborated creatively with director and graphic artist Nick Egan—renowned for his work with The Ramones, The Clash, Duran Duran, and Oasis. She also worked with several acclaimed photographers, including Andrew McPherson, Ellen von Unwerth, and Michael Muller, and produced a 3D Guerlain campaign featuring Angelina Jolie with photographer Will Camden.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Schofield wrote the semi-autobiographical novel “The Cherry Alignment,” inspired by her life as a model and actress in the 1980s. The book included a dedication to her late friend and colleague from “The Brothers Grimm,” Heath Ledger.
The actress first went public with her cancer diagnosis in November 2023, sharing updates on a GoFundMe page that raised more than $34,000 toward its $40,000 target. In a July 2025 update, she disclosed that the cancer had spread to her brain and that she would begin chemotherapy. She later recounted undergoing a surgery to remove a mass through her nasal passages.
In her final Instagram message on Jan. 20, 2026, Schofield wrote: “It was very exciting to get this done finally but I’m not out of the woods yet.”
In a December 2025 post, Schofield spoke about the emotional and financial strain of her illness. “All of this is compounded by the Christmas season and the fact that I’m alone most days and completely out of money,” she said. Her diagnosis had been made more than two years before her death, during which time she struggled to maintain stability while undergoing treatment.
Schofield was preceded in death by her father, who passed in 2020, and her sister, Amanda. She is survived by her mother. Her passing represents the loss of a multifaceted creative force whose influence shaped both the fashion and entertainment worlds during a pivotal era in pop culture.
