Shannon Wilcox, ‘Songwriter’ and ‘Dallas’ Actor, Dies at 80

Shannon Wilcox, a character actor who appeared in 1984s Songwriter alongside Willie Nelson and in five episodes of Dallas, died Sept. 2 in Los Angeles. She was 80.

Wilcoxs death was confirmed by her talent agent Peter Young.

Wilcox worked on such films as 1982s Six Weeks with Dudley Moore and 1991s Frankie and Johnny opposite Al Pacino. She also played the mother of Elisabeth Shues Ali Mills in John G. Avildsens The Karate Kid and appeared in other notable films throughout her career, including Se7en, Runaway Bride, Raising Helen, The Princess Diaries and its 2004 sequel, The Border, Legal Eagles, For the Boys,Exit to Eden, Dear God and The Other Sister.

Wilcox made her onscreen debut on the action series Starsky and Hutch in 1976. She later guested on several series from the late 70s to 80s, including the short-lived sitcom Sirotas Court, Dog and Cat, Hawaii Five-O, Hart to Hart, Cagney Lacey, Magnum, P.I., Remington Steele and Buck James.

In 1990, she had a recurring role as Anita on Dallas, in which she appeared in a continuing story arc in the 13th and 14th seasons involving Larry Hagmans J.R. Ewing. Additional TV credits include Greys Anatomy, Truth Be Told, The Resident, NCIS, ER and Matlock.

Wilcox was married plastic surgeon to John Williams from 1965 until their divorce in 1984, and to Godfather actor and Emmy winner Alex Rocco from 2004 until his death in 2015.

Wilcox is survived by her daughter, actor Kelli Williams, and her son, writer-producer Sean Doyle.