Sian Barbara Allen Passes On

Sian Barbara Allen, who guest starred in two episodes of The Waltons as Jenny Pendleton, died on Mach 31 2025 at the age of 78. She had Alzheimer's.

Sian Barbara Allenw was born on Reading, Pennsylvania on July 12 1946. After she graduated from high school, she studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse on a scholarship and studied acting as a member of the Journeyman program at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles under Peggy Feury.

She made her television debut on an episode of O'Hara, U.S. Treasury in 1971. She made her movie debut in You'll Like My Mother in 1972. Sian Barbara Allen appeared frequently on television in the Seventies. In addition to her guest appearances on The Waltons, she also guest starred on the shows Alias Smith and Jones; Gunsmoke; The Bold Ones: The Lawyers; Owen Marshall, Counsellor at Law; The F.B.I.; Bonanza; Love, American Style; Columbo; Kojak; Marcus Welby, M.D.; Ironside;The Rockford Files; Lucas Tanner; Adam-12; Kate McShane; Police Story; Kingston Confidential; Hawaii Five-O; Baretta; W.E.B.; Sword of Justice; and The Incredible Hulk/ She appeared in the movie Billy Two Hats (1974). She also  wrote an episode of Baretta.

Sian Barbara Allen's career slowed after 1980. She guest starred in the shows Darkroom, Falcon Crest, Cagney & Lacey; and L.A. Law. After retiring from acting she devoted much of her time to politics, supporting Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. She also wrote poetry.

Like many I will always think of Sian Barbara Allen as John Boy's romantic interest Jenny on The Waltons. She and Richard Thomas were dating in real life at the time, and their rapport translated well to the small screen. John Boy would date other girls, but for me Jenny remained his most memorable love interest. Of course, Sian Barbra Allen appeared in many other roles. I remember her also from the Bonanza  episode "Ambush at Rio Lobo," on which she played a staunch, but caring pregnant who is held hostage along with Ben Cartwright by a bunch of outlaws. In the horror movie You'll Like My Mother, she played Kathleen, the intellectually disabled, non-verbal sister of lead character Francesca (Patty Duke). She was nominated for the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer for the role. Sian Barbara Allen had a gift for bringing characters to life and she always made an impression.