The widow of Steve Allen, who was nominated for an Emmy for her role on 'High Society', passed away on Sunday, April 26.
- Apr 28, 2015
AceShowbiz - Jayne Meadows, the Emmy-nominated actress and the widow of Steve Allen, died of natural causes at the age of 95 in her home in Encino, California on Sunday night, April 26. Jayne's son Bill Allen confirmed the sad news to ET on Monday.
Bill remembered his mother in a letter, saying, "She was the most loving mother and grandmother I could ever imagine. Seeing only the best in all her family members and giving us all confidence that we had value to offer the world and should take risks because we could do no wrong in her eyes."
"She was not only an extraordinarily gifted actress who could move audiences from laughter to tears and back again all in one scene, but she was the greatest story teller I have ever known and I will miss her endlessly fascinating and frequently hilarious anecdotes about her life and the many brilliantly talented people she worked with and befriended along the way. She will be sorely missed and never forgotten," he added.
Jayne was nominated for three Primetime Emmys for her role on "High Society", "Meeting of Minds" and "St. Elsewhere". She was a regular panelist on "I've Got a Secret". Her film credits included "Undercurrent" opposite Katherine Hepburn, "Lady in the Lake", "Song of the Thin Man", "The Luck of the Irish", "City Slickers" and "The Story of Us".
Jayne earned the International Platform Association Award for her one woman show "Powerful Woman in History" and the Susan B. Anthony Award for her contribution to portraying women in positive roles.
Jayne's husband, the first host of "The Tonight Show", passed away in 2000. Her sister Audrey Meadows, who played Jackie Gleason's wife on "The Honeymooners", died in 1996.
