Heather North, the veteran voice of the beloved cartoon character Daphne Blake on TV’s Scooby-Doo, died at her home in California late last month, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
She was 71 years old.
Close friend Jodie Mann has confirmed the unfortunate news to the publication, saying North passed away on November 30 after a long battle with a serious illness.
North’s passing comes nearly three years after she lost her husband, H. Wesley Kenney.
An Emmy Award-winning producer and director of soap operas, he was behind the camera for every episode of the memorable 1974-75 season of All in the Family.
The actress met Kenney on the set of Days of Our Lives, on which she portrayed Sandy Horton for multiple years, and married him in 1971.
She was a native of Pasadena whose biggest movie credit was likely as Kurt Russell’s love interest in 1971’s The Barefoot Executive.
But she’ll almost definitely be most remembered as the voice of Daphne, a role she took on with the second season of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!.
One of the two female members of the teenage investigate team, Daphne was a critical part of this beloved series.
North inhibited the role on and off over the next 30-plus years, with her final credit listed as 2003’s Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico.
The popular actress also appeared on such television programs as Mr. Novak, Gidget; The Fugitive; The Monkees; My Three Sons; and Adam-12.
On the big screen, meanwhile, she played parts in Git! (1965) and I Love My Wife (1970); and on Broadway in the short-lived 1967 comedy The Girl in the Freudian Slip.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at First Christian Church in Studio City.
The publication also writes that her survivors include:
- Son Kevin and daughter-in-law Stephanie.
- Stepdaughter Nina and her husband Brent.
- Stepson Wes and his wife Leslie.
- Granddaughter Jocelyn.
Another stepdaughter, Kara, sadly died just a week ago.
We send our condolences to her family members, friends and loved ones.
May Heather North rest in peace.
