Delle Bolton was an American actress who rose to fame for her role as Swan, a Flathead Indian woman, in the 1972 Western adventure film Jeremiah Johnson. She was also the wife of the late screenwriter David Colloff, who worked on such films as The Candidate, Paddy, and Room 222. Here are some little-known facts about the actress who captivated audiences with her beauty and talent.
Biography
Delle Bolton was born as Gloria Delle Bolton on November 12, 1947 (age: 75 years, as of 2023), in Santa Monica, California. Her father was William C. Bolton, but there is no information about her mother or siblings. She attended the University of California, where she earned a degree in theater arts. It was also where she met her future husband, David Colloff, who was studying playwriting and theater arts at UCLA.
Delle Bolton Wiki/Bio
| Name | Delle Bolton |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Gloria Delle Bolton |
| Birth date | November 13, 1947 |
| Birthplace | Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Death date | June 19, 2022 |
| Death place | Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Cause of death | Long illness (not disclosed) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in theater arts from UCLA |
| Occupation | Actress, model, teacher |
| Years active | 1972-2002 |
| Spouse | David Colloff (m. 1970-2019) |
| Children | Jessica Colloff, Sarah Colloff |
| Grandchildren | Noah, Lily, Max, Ella |
| Notable works | Jeremiah Johnson (1972), Monk (2002) |
| Awards | Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Jeremiah Johnson |
| Social Links | IMDB- @nm0093386 Homepage- Celebsworlds |
Career as a Dancer and Model
Delle Bolton started her career as a dancer and toured as an exotic dancer for many years. She performed in various clubs around the country, where she sometimes posed for private photographic sessions for fans. She also worked as a model and appeared in numerous black and white magazines in ‘cheesecake’ poses during the 1960s. She was one of the most sought-after models for magazine and poster work, thanks to her voluptuous body and large chest.
Breakthrough role in Jeremiah Johnson
Delle Bolton’s career took a turn when she was cast as Swan in the film Jeremiah Johnson, which was directed by Sydney Pollack and starred Robert Redford as the legendary mountain man John ‘Liver-Eating’ Johnson. The film was based on the life and exploits of Johnson, who lived among the Native Americans in the Rocky Mountains in the 19th century. She played his wife, who was given to him as a gift by a Flathead chief. She did not speak any English in the film, but communicated with Johnson through gestures and expressions.
Trending:
Zoe Dimoldenberg (Amelia Dimoldenberg Sister)
Athulya Ashokan (Alia Mansoor)
Bolton’s performance as Swan was widely praised by critics and audiences alike. She won a Bronze Wrangler Award for Theatrical Motion Picture at the 1972 Western Heritage Awards, along with her co-stars. The film was also nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and was a commercial success, grossing over $44 million on a $3 million budget.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 5 inches or 167 cm
- Weight: 55 kg or 121 lbs
- Eye color: Black
- Body measurements: 34-26-34 inches
- Skin color: Caucasian
- Hair color: Black
Other Acting Roles and Retirement
After Jeremiah Johnson, Delle Bolton appeared in a few other films and TV shows, mostly in minor or cameo roles. She was seen in the 1974 comedy film The Wild Party, the 1975 horror film The Astrologer, and the 1976 drama film The Passover Plot. She also guest-starred in an episode of the TV series Monk in 2008, playing the character of Mrs. Townsend.
Delle retired from acting in the late 1970s and focused on her family and personal life. She also started a kindergarten classroom, where she taught many children. According to one of her daughters, her classroom was a legendary and magical place, and her teaching was ahead of her time.
Teaching Career and Family Life
Delle Bolton had a passion for teaching and working with children. She started a kindergarten classroom in Santa Monica, where she taught for many years. Her classroom was described as a “legendary and magical place” by her daughter, who said that Bolton’s teaching methods were ahead of her time. Bolton used creative and innovative ways to engage her students, such as storytelling, music, art, and games. She also taught them about different cultures, languages, and values.
Bolton was married to David Colloff, a screenwriter and producer who worked on films such as The Candidate, Paddy, and Room 222. The couple had two daughters, Jessica and Sarah, who followed their parents’ footsteps in the entertainment industry. Jessica is a writer and producer who has worked on shows such as The Good Wife, The Newsroom, and The Morning Show. Sarah is an actress who has appeared in films such as The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and The Post.
Bolton and Colloff had a happy and long-lasting marriage, until Colloff’s death in 2019. He died of complications from Parkinson’s disease, which he had been battling for years. Bolton was devastated by his loss, but she found comfort in her daughters and grandchildren. She also continued to teach and inspire her students, until her own health deteriorated.
Death and Legacy
Delle Bolton died on June 19, 2022, in Santa Monica, California. She was 74 years old. The cause of her death was not disclosed, but it was reported that she had been suffering from a long illness. She was surrounded by her family and friends, who mourned her passing and celebrated her life.
She was remembered as a talented and beautiful actress, a loving and devoted wife, a caring and supportive mother, and a passionate and inspiring teacher. She left behind a legacy of her work in Jeremiah Johnson, which is considered a classic of the Western genre and a cult favorite among fans. She also left behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and compassion, which touched the lives of many people.
Bolton’s funeral was held in a private ceremony, attended by her family and close friends. She was buried next to her husband in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. She is survived by her two daughters, Jessica and Sarah, and her four grandchildren, Noah, Lily, Max, and Ella.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $1 million |
| 2021 | $11 million |
| 2022 | $200,000 |
