Gayle Hunnicutt dies: Dallas and Sherlock Holmes actress passes away aged 80

Gayle Hunnicutt has died aged 80.

The actress reportedly passed away on August 31. A cause of death is yet to be revealed. 

Gayle was known for playing Vanessa Beaumont in Dallas, and Irene Adler in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

The Texas-born star settled in the UK and TV credits include the series Fall of Eagles, The Golden Bowl and The Return of the Saint.

She leaves behind her two sons Edwards and Band Of Brothers actor Nolan, 53, as well as five grandchildren, Poppy, Theo, Oscar, Dash and Nia. 

Gayle grew up in a ‘typical American suburban house’ in Fort Worth, the only child of her father Sam, who served in the South Pacific during the Second World War, and mother Virginia.

Although she wanted to be an actress from the age of five, Gayle’s parents also set great store by academic achievement and she won a scholarship to the University of California in Los Angeles to study English Literature and Theatre.

It was there that she was spotted by a Warner Bros talent scout while performing in a student production.

Gayle met her first husband, late British actor David Hemmings (of Blow-Up and The Charge Of The Light Brigade fame), at a party thrown by Rat Pack actor Peter Lawford.

They married in 1968 and moved to the UK the following year. The couple divorced in 1974 after David’s many infidelities. The actor died in 2003, aged 62.

Gayle previously told Daily Mail: ‘I’ve no regrets about marrying David. He was one of the most electrifying human beings I’ve ever met.’

Gayle re-married to journalist Sir Simon Jenkins, but they later divorced in 2000.

The Dallas star then dated tennis correspondent Richard Evans.