Delores Taylor

Delores Judith Taylor (September 27, 1932 – March 23, 2018) was an American film actress, writer, and producer, known for her roles in the Billy Jack films of the 1970s.

Delores Taylor
Taylor in 1978
Born
Delores Judith Taylor[1]

(1932-09-27)September 27, 1932
Winner, South Dakota, U.S.
DiedMarch 23, 2018(2018-03-23) (aged 85)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress, screenwriter, producer
Years active1965–1977
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1954⁠–⁠2013)​
(his death)
Children3

Life and career

Taylor was born in 1932 in Winner, South Dakota, and grew up near Rosebud Indian Reservation.[2] Her father, Harry Taylor, was a postmaster,[3] who ran a post office that was frequented by Native Americans. Her mother, Ann Nelson, was a homemaker.[1]

She met actor Tom Laughlin while a student at the University of South Dakota in 1953, and married him while she was a graphic artist[4] on October 15, 1954.[5] They borrowed a car and moved to Los Angeles in 1955.[4] They had three children: Frank, Teresa, and Christina. Her daughter Teresa is a fashion designer.[6]

Together the couple developed the character of "Billy Jack", who first appeared in the 1967 film The Born Losers. They followed that with Billy Jack in 1971, then The Trial of Billy Jack in 1974, and Billy Jack Goes to Washington in 1976. Taylor and Laughlin played the starring roles in the latter three films. Taylor co-produced both The Born Losers and the 1975 film The Master Gunfighter.[7]

She was nominated for a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year – Actress in 1972.[8]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1967The Born LosersPedestrian with Children / Opening Off Screen NarratorUncredited
1971Billy JackJean Roberts
1974The Trial of Billy Jack
1976Billy Jack Goes to Washington
1986The Return of Billy Jack(final film role)

Death

Taylor died on March 23, 2018, from dementia at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, California, aged 85.[4][2][9]

References
  1. Sandomir, Richard (March 27, 2018). "Delores Taylor, 85, Dies; Writer and Star in 'Billy Jack' Films". The New York Times.
  2. "Delores Taylor, co-star of 'Billy Jack' films, dies at 85". USA Today. March 27, 2018.
  3. Laughlin, Frank (November 17, 2010). "Delores' Parents Visit Trial of Billy Jack". Billy Jack Rights LLG.
  4. Barnes, Mike (March 27, 2018). "Delores Taylor, 'Billy Jack' Actress, Screenwriter and Producer, Dies at 85". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. Spiro, J.D. (August 26, 1956). "Milwaukee's Actin' Tom Laughlin". Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  6. "T.C. Laughlin website". tclaughlin.com. Retrieved February 20, 2010.
  7. Delores Taylor at IMDb
  8. HFPA - Awards Search Archived October 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  9. Thom Geier (March 26, 2018). "Delores Taylor, Star of 'Billy Jack' Movies of the 1970s, Dies at 85". The Wrap.


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