Evelyn Ward, an American actress known for her stage and television work, was also the mother of the late actor and singer David Cassidy. Beginning her career on stage in New York, Ward made her Broadway debut in 1943. She later ventured into television, appearing in various series such as ‘Manhattan Showcase’ and ‘The Adventures of Ellery Queen’. Ward also had a brief stint in film, with her final on-screen appearance in an episode of ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ Ward’s personal life included three marriages, and she passed away in 2012 at the age of 89. Tragically, her son David passed away less than five years later in 2017.
Quick Facts
- Died At Age: 89
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Al Williams, Elliot Silverstein (m. 1962 – div. 1968), Jack Cassidy (m. 1948 – div. 1956)
- Father: Frederick Ward
- Mother: Ethel Laurinda
- Children: David Cassidy
- Born Country: United States
- Actresses
- American Women
- Died on: December 23, 2012
- Place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Cause of Death: Dementia
- U.S. State: New Jersey
Theatre Career
Evelyn Ward began her professional theatre career as a teenager. She started as a dancer with the Roxyettes at the Roxy Theater. Her first Broadway play was ‘Early to Bed’, followed by appearances in ‘The Firebrand of Florence’ (1945), ‘Spring in Brazil’ (1945), ‘Billion Dollar Baby’ (1946), and ‘Along Fifth Avenue’ (1949). In 1958, she made a comeback to the Broadway musical stage in the role of Anna in ‘New Girl in Town’. She also worked in productions such as ‘And So to Bed’ (1967) and ‘Such a Pretty Face’ (1996).
Television Career
In 1949, Evelyn Ward made her screen debut in the television series ‘Manhattan Showcase’. She appeared in various TV shows including ‘The Adventures of Ellery Queen’, ‘Omnibus’, ‘The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen’, ‘Kraft Mystery Theater’, ‘Perry Mason’, ‘Ben Casey’, ‘Vacation Playhouse’, ‘Breaking Point’, ‘Dr. Kildare’, and ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E. show’. Ward’s only cinematic appearance was in the 1962 film ‘A Public Affair’.
Family & Personal Life
Evelyn Ward was born on May 21, 1923, in West Orange, New Jersey, USA. She was married to actor Jack Cassidy from 1948 to 1956, and they had a son named David Cassidy. After her divorce from Jack, David lived with Ward’s parents until she married film director Elliot Silverstein in 1961. They divorced in 1968, and Ward later married Al Williams, who passed away in 2005.
Death & Legacy
Evelyn Ward passed away on December 23, 2012, due to dementia. Her son, David Cassidy, also passed away on November 21, 2017. Ward leaves behind a legacy in the entertainment industry, and through her son, she has two grandchildren, actress Katie Cassidy and actor Beau Cassidy.