Pippa Scott, a talented actress known for her roles in classic films such as “The Searchers” and “Auntie Mame,” passed away on May 22 at the age of 90. Her daughter, Miranda Tollman, confirmed her death.
Born in Los Angeles, Scott was the daughter of renowned stage actress Laura Straub and playwright Allan Scott. Her uncle, Adrian Scott, was one of the Hollywood Ten who were blacklisted during the McCarthy era. Scott received her education at Radcliffe and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London before making her Broadway debut in Jed Harris’ production of “Child of Fortune” in 1956.
Scott’s breakthrough role came in John Ford’s “The Searchers” in 1956, where she portrayed Lucy, a member of the Edwards family who is taken captive during a raid. She also had a memorable role in the popular film “Auntie Mame” in 1958.
In addition to her film career, Scott was a familiar face on television, appearing in numerous series such as “The Twilight Zone,” “Perry Mason,” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” She also had a recurring role in the 1976 series “Jigsaw.”
In 1964, Scott married Lee Rich, a co-founder of Lorimar Productions, known for producing hit shows like “The Waltons,” “Dallas,” and “Knots Landing.” After their divorce in 1983, the couple reconnected in 1996 and remained close until Rich’s passing in 2012.
Following her family’s experience with the Blacklist, Scott became an advocate for human rights and founded the International Monitor Institute, a non-profit organization that collected evidence to aid in the prosecution of war crimes. She also established Linden Productions to create documentaries, including “World’s Most Wanted Man, The Hunt for Radovan Karadzic” for PBS Frontline and “King Leopold’s Ghost.”
Scott is survived by her daughters Jessica and Miranda, as well as five grandchildren. Her legacy as a talented actress and dedicated humanitarian will be remembered by all who knew her.
