Brenda Benet: Now 40 Years Since Her Passing

[biffbronson]

I wanted to start a thread in memory of an actress who left us long ago, at a young age.

Brenda Benet appeared in 2 episodes of My Three Sons; the later appearance offered a more substantial role,
giving her a chance to do some acting that was a little more challenging than routine work.

Very sadly, in April of 1982 Brenda committed suicide at age 36, about a year following the death of her 6-year-old son.
As the Carpenters song goes, "So much of life ahead..." How tragic that her life ended at that time.

Here are a few photos to get things started. First up is a 1964 photo, with actor John Anthony Hayes:



Next we see how pretty Brenda's face looks in a 1969 Love, American Style skit:



In her 1970 appearance on that series, we see that she now has a bit longer hairstyle. Stunningly gorgeous:



By the time Brenda made her 1979 Carter Country TV series appearance, she had lovely long hair. Here she is, with Victor French:



Finally for now, here is an old clipping of a news item, revealing her passing. It mentions that Brenda had been starring in the Days of Our Lives series. May she rest in peace.

[biffbronson]

There are lots of screencaps around of Brenda as she had a pretty extensive list of TV shows worked on, in addition to publicity stills from some films.



Many of you are aware that Brenda was married to Bill Bixby at one time.
She made one appearance on each of Bill's series The Courtship of Eddie's Father (in 1971), The Magician (1973), and The Incredible Hulk (1980).
Such a beautiful couple:



Here are some more looks at Brenda revealing her great appeal:

[biffbronson]

Playing a lovely Native American Princess on a 1966 episode of Daniel Boone, with Fess Parker and Ed Ames. Parker smartly gets close:



First marriage to Paul Petersen, 1967. A bride of anyone's dreams:



Love is in the air:



Another nice photo, I believe this is from one of her 3 appearances on Hogan's Heroes:

[biffbronson]

The title of the following 1971 fashion article is "Homespun Girl: Brenda Benet Sews Her Own."
Really interesting color photos, here they are in order:




Here we have some photos of Bill Bixby with Brenda once more.
Wonderful smiles of the happy couple (1971 wedding), and a later
photo taken while signing autographs:



Once again a beautiful pairing, how lovely. A remarkably nice photo.
We see that Brenda is favoring quite short hair -- but long nails!

[Sgt. Saunders]

Yes, Ms. Benet was a wonderful actress and a breathtakingly beautiful woman. How tragic her death was; the sudden loss of her young son was apparently just too much to contend with.

Requiem aeternam, Ms. Benet.