Betty Harford, the veteran actress best known for her recurring roles on the primetime soap opera “Dynasty” and the legal drama “The Paper Chase,” died on November 2 in Santa Barbara, California. She was 98 years old.
Harford’s friend Wendy Mitchell confirmed the news on Facebook, stating that “Betty Harford Naszody passed away peacefully with family at her side, noon on November 2, 2025, she was 98.” She had been recovering from the flu.
Born on January 28, 1927, in New York City, Harford built a career spanning several decades in television and film, becoming a familiar face to audiences through her steady work in supporting roles.
From 1981 to 1989, reports indicate that Harford appeared in 34 episodes of “Dynasty” as Hilda Gunnerson, the cook for the wealthy Carrington family. Harford’s character became a recognizable presence throughout the show’s run. She reprised the role in 1991 for “Dynasty: The Reunion,” demonstrating the lasting affection audiences held for her character.
Simultaneously with her “Dynasty” work, Harford portrayed Mrs. Nottingham on “The Paper Chase,” appearing in 45 episodes from 1978 to 1986. The series featured Harford as the secretary to law school professor Charles W. Kingsfield, played by John Houseman.
Harford’s collaboration with Houseman went beyond work in television. In the 1960s, she performed with Houseman’s UCLA Theatre Group, sharing the stage with prominent actors in the Westwood-based company founded in 1959. Later, in 1977, she played a nurse for director James Bridges in the film “September 30, 1955,” which starred Richard Thomas.
Her film career included notable appearances in several productions. In 1965, she portrayed the older sister of Natalie Wood’s character in “Inside Daisy Clover,” a melodrama that also featured her in a memorable supporting role.
Over the course of her career, Harford appeared in a range of notable television anthology series and dramas. Her work included episodes of “The Twilight Zone,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” and “Dr. Kildare,” reflecting her ability to adapt to diverse genres and styles during television’s golden era.
Harford’s personal life included two marriages. She was first married to sculptor Oliver Andrews, who died in 1978. She later married Hungarian actor Sandor Naszody, who died in 1996.
The actress is survived by her son Chris. Her death marks the passing of another performer from television’s golden age of primetime soap operas and classic dramas. Harford’s work on “Dynasty” during the 1980s came during the show’s peak popularity, when it captivated audiences with its tales of wealth, power, and family intrigue.
While never achieving leading roles, Harford exemplified the working character actor who brought authenticity and professionalism to every production. Her ability to create memorable supporting characters, from the efficient secretary Mrs. Nottingham to the household cook Hilda Gunnerson, demonstrated the importance of skilled performers even in smaller roles. Her career in Hollywood spanned multiple eras of television and film production, adapting to changes in the industry while maintaining a steady presence on screen.