• Charlene Tilton is an all-American actress who rose to fame for her role as Lucy Ewing in the show “Dallas”.
• She grew up in foster care as her mother was ill and her father had left them.
• She began her career at 17, when she was cast as Bambi in the 1976 film “Freaky Friday”.
• She had a long and successful career, appearing in films and television shows, as well as reality TV and celebrity game shows.
• Her net worth is estimated at $2 million as of 2020.



Known for movies

Short Info

Net Worth$2 million
Date Of BirthDecember 1, 1958
SpouseDomenick Allen, Johnny Lee
MarkLisp, breathless voice
FactShe posed topless in Playboy magazine in the 1980s.


Charlene Tilton will perhaps be best remembered for her iconic role as Lucy Ewing, the niece of JR Ewing on the legendary television show “Dallas”. She is an all-American actress who starred in a vast repertoire of films and also surprised the world with her lovely voice. However, her life was not without its fair share of tragedies and difficulties, as she did not always have the best in life. Read on as we discuss the life of the veteran actress, who in 2020 celebrates her 62nd birthday.

Early life and family

Charlene L Tilton was born in San Diego, California, USA, on 1 December 1958.

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Her early life was not the fondest time of her life, as her mother, Katherine Thacker, struggled as a single parent. Katherine worked as a secretary and did not receive financial aid from her daughter’s father. The man had walked out on them when she was still young, and she Charlene grew-up without knowing him.

In her teen years, Charlene’s mother would fall ill to mental disorder, forcing Charlene to live in foster care for most of her high school career. It was during this time in her life that Charlene had met the actor Larry Hagman, who became a godfather and mentor for her. They later co-starred in the “Dallas” soap opera.

As a teenager, she had dreamed of becoming an actress, a dream that was realized at the age of 17, when she was cast as Bambi in the 1976 film “Freaky Friday”.

Educational background

Charlene attended Hollywood High School, where she was a cheerleader and president of the Thespians Club. She matriculated from high school, but has since had no need to further her education, and has not attended any other institutes.

Career

Charlene’s career started with a few small roles in both television shows and films, but she quickly rose to fame for her iconic role as Lucy Ewing Cooper, the role she played throughout eight seasons of “Dallas”.

Charlene Tilton

Her first roles were in the comedy shows “Eight Is Enough” and “Happy Days”, appearing in one episode of each. She was also seen in the films “Freaky Friday”, “Sweater Girls” and “Big Wednesday”, then landed her role as a cast member of “Dallas” in 1978, at the age of 19, and stayed on until 1990.

Her career boomed throughout the airing of the popular soap opera, and landed her on the cover of several magazines. She was also rewarded the Young Artist Award for Juvenile Actress in a TV Series for her role as Lucy, as well as several other awards.

She starred in several shows and films in the eighties, include a few iconic titles such as “The Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island” and “Murder, She Wrote”. She also appeared as herself in “Married… With Children”.

Following her success with the “Dallas” soap opera, she gained several roles spanning across the nineties, including the films “Problem Child 2”, “For Parents Only”, and the television movies “Favorite Deadly Sins” and “Safety Patrol”.

Since 2000, Charlene has mostly appeared in few comedy spoof films, which include “#1 Cheerleader Camp” and “Superhero Movie”.

She also reprised her role as Lucy for the 2012 “Dallas” revival.

Her latest appearance was in the 2017 film “The Road Less Travelled”.

Other than a successful career in television and film, Charlene is also a singer. She performed the lead vocals in episodes of “Dallas”, when her character Lucy ran away to become a country singer.

She also starred alongside singer Michael Buble in the film “Totally Blonde”, and participated in several reality TV and celebrity game shows, which include “Dancing On Ice”.

Hobbies, favourite things and interesting facts

Not much is known about Charlene’s personal preferences, but in the early eighties she made headlines in scandal tabloids for appearing topless in a ‘Playboy’ issue. Other than that, it is known that she was a good friend to co-star Larry Hagman, and was the only “Dallas” cast member to have been at his 70th birthday. Upon his death in 2012, she attended his funeral and in a statement said that he was her biggest acting inspiration.

Relationships

Charlene’s romances have also been riddled with difficulties and tragedy.

She had been married and divorced twice, first to country singer Johnny Lee, with whom she has a daughter Cherish Lee, from 1982 until 1984. Following this, Charlene was involved with Scottish actor Domenick Allen, whom she married on 7 April 1985, but their relationship ended in divorce in 1992 without any children. She then formed a relationship with the cinematographer Cheddy Hart, but who passed away in 2009. It is not known if Charlene has had another relationship since then. Her daughter was born in 1982, and like her father, has followed a career in country singing.

Physical characteristics

  • Date of Birth: 1 December 1958
  • Hair colour: Blonde
  • Eye colour: Blue
  • Height: 4ft 11ins (1.5m)
  • Weight: 119lbs ( 48kgs)
  • Dress Size: 4 (1980)
  • Shoe Size: 5 (US)
  • Bra Size: 32C (1980)
  • Star Sign: Sagittarius
  • Nationality: American
  • Ethnicity: Caucasian

Net worth

Charlene’s net worth that she’s accumulated over the long years of her successful acting career stands at an estimated total of $2 million as of 2020.

General Info

Full NameCharlene Tilton
Net Worth$2 million
Date Of BirthDecember 1, 1958
Height1.5 m
ProfessionActor, Singer
EducationHollywood High School
NationalityAmerican

Family

SpouseDomenick Allen, Johnny Lee
ChildrenCherish Lee
ParentsKatherine Thacker

Accomplishments

AwardsTV Land Pop Culture Award
MoviesProblem Child 2, The Silence of the Hams, 1 Cheerleader Camp, Deadly Bet, Superhero Movie, Center of the Web, Totally Blonde, Paranormal Calamity, Ragin' Cajun, Sarah's Choice, A Distant Thunder, Samaritan
TV ShowsThe Farm, Dallas

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1Lisp, breathless voice
2Voluptuous figure
3Sparkling blue eyes
4Platinum blonde hair

Quotes

#Quote
1Apple box... I've lived my whole life on an apple box.
2[Of Larry Hagman]: When I met the force of nature that is Larry Hagman, I was 17-years-old. I was raised by a single mother who is mentally ill, I had my own apartment. By the time I was 15-years-old; and I never had a father figure I have longed for and really needed me. He was a guiding force in my life. He taught me how to be professional, he taught me the craft of acting, he taught me how to behave on the set, he was an amazing, amazing, human being. He was so protective of me, because I was so young starting the show, but at the same time, he expected and demanded a lot from me, because he believed in me. So, on a general, personal note, he meant so much to me.
3[on her on- and off-screen chemistry with Larry Hagman, who played JR Ewing]: He's the greatest. He really is. He and his wife Maj are two of the nicest people on the planet. Larry really was the glue that kept us all together, off- camera as well as on, he was always having parties and get togethers and when we were on location, he was just so much fun. He helped us all bond as a unit and I have to attribute the huge success to Dallas because we had this chemistry but it was really Larry Hagman keeping us all together and we really grew to love each other He's a really amazing person and one of the most amazing actors, the fact he was never nominated for an Emmy award is such a shock for me, its an outrage.
4[Who was praying so hard for Larry Hagman to win the Emmy Award for Best Leading Actor in a Drama Series, which was Dallas (1978)]: To this day, I cannot believe Larry never won an Emmy Award. He's an amazing actor and he did an amazing thing with that character. But not only on-screen. Because he was the male lead on the show, he really set the tone in the very beginning of our filming. He was the one that kept us together as a group. We were always together in his big van, of his house, in his hotel rooms, wherever. He was the glue that kept us together on-screen and -off.
5I did it when I ran into a table-leg at the Dallas 30th Anniversary Reunion at Southfork Ranch last month.
6[When she was about to return to Dallas (1978)]: It can still go either way. I guess it depends on how bad they want me back. They have to want me back bad enough to give me the storylines I'm looking for.
7My mother decided that I was Lithuania's answer to Shirley Temple, and so I ended up here. I wrote, produced and starred in shows here.

Facts

#Fact
1Was the only Dallas (1978) cast to attend her TV uncle's Larry Hagman's 70th Birthday in 2001.
2Once danced with Larry Hagman.
3Credits Larry Hagman and Barbara Bel Geddes as her favorite acting mentors/best friends.
4Met Larry Hagman prior to attending high school, when her single mother was mentally ill, and wasn't raised without a father, therefore, Hagman became her 'surrogate father' on Dallas (1978).
5Beat out Stefanie Kramer for the role of Lucy Ewing in Dallas (1978).
6Her acting mentors are the late Larry Hagman and the late Barbara Bel Geddes.
7She has played the same character (Lucy Ewing) in three different series: Dallas (1978), Knots Landing (1979) and Dallas (2012).
8Best remembered by the public for her role as Lucy Ewing Cooper on the 1980s soap opera Dallas (1978).
9Ex-niece-in-law of Annie Ross.
10She posed topless in Playboy magazine in the 1980s.
11She is an only child, as is her daughter Cherish Lee. However, Cherish does have a younger half-brother on her father's side of the family.
12Is a professional-caliber singer; she did all her own vocals in the Dallas (1978) episode where "Lucy Ewing" runs away with the Greg Evigan character, to try and become a country-western star. In real life, Charlene was offered the role of Rizzo in "Grease" during the 1990s; however, she turned it down because "my daughter (Cherish) was just starting high school, and I wanted to be there for her." However, she has released a single with the title "Cest La Vie".
13She attended Hollywood High School, where she was a varsity cheerleader and President of the Thespians' Club.
14Her daughter, Cherish Lee, was only 17 when she started working as a gossip columnist for "The Globe" tabloid magazine.

Pictures

Movies

Actress

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Theory of Everything2000TV MovieStephanie
Guido Takes a Hike2000ShortBartender
Detonator1998Gail Davies
Safety Patrol1998TV MovieMrs. Zapruder
Star Witness1995TV MovieGrace Kelly
Haunted Lives: True Ghost Stories1995TV Mini-Series documentaryVicki the Bartender ('The Headless Ghost')
Favorite Deadly Sins1995TV MovieActress playing Norma Jean
Night Stand1995TV SeriesCharlene
The Silence of the Hams1994Jane Wine
Center of the Web1992Kathryn Lockwood
Deadly Bet1992Isabella
For Parents Only1991Mrs. Farell
Ragin' Cajun1991Ali Webster
Problem Child 21991Debbie Claukinski
Border Shootout1990Edith Hanasain
Dallas1978-1990TV SeriesLucy Ewing Cooper Lucy Ewing
Murder, She Wrote1987TV SeriesCindy March
The Love Boat1980-1987TV SeriesEmily Marcus / Secretary / Ellen
New Love, American Style1986TV Series
Hotel1983TV SeriesHolly Lane
Fantasy Island1980TV SeriesCharlotte 'Charlie' Johnson
Laverne & Shirley1980TV SeriesThe Girl at Bar
Knots Landing1980TV SeriesLucy Ewing
Pale Horse Pale Rider1980ShortMiranda
The Fall of the House of Usher1979TV MovieJennifer Cresswell
Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker1979TV MovieJulie Thurston
Big Wednesday1978Party Girl
Sweater Girls1978Candy
Eight Is Enough1977TV SeriesWendy Springer
Freaky Friday1976Bambi
Happy Days1976TV SeriesJill Higgins
Road Less Traveled2017pre-productionBabs
Doctor Spine2015Aunt Sally
The Middle2015TV SeriesRhonda
The Michaels2014TV Movie
TMI Hollywood2014TV SeriesHost / Various
Lucky Dog2014Jeanie
Buttwhistle2014Mrs. Podgorney
Dallas2012-2014TV SeriesLucy Ewing
Reading Writing & Romance2013TV MoviePenny
DeVanity2013TV SeriesFrancesca DeVanity
Not Another Celebrity Movie2013Chef
Hemingway2012Mrs. Hemingway
Edge of Salvation2012Sarah Malone
Cloud Boy2011TV SeriesDianne Majors
Actors Anonymous2011TV MovieCharlene Tilton
Mean Parents Suck2010Judy Farell
#1 Cheerleader Camp2010VideoCharlene Tilton
Paranormal Calamity2010Jacquiline
Sarah's Choice2009VideoAbortion doctor
Superhero Movie2008Jill's Mother
Tell Veronica2008Video shortVeronica Star
Point of Entry2007TV MovieHelen
Getting It Straight2006ShortCynthia Rosenburg
A Distant Thunder2005ShortSusan
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star2003Charlene Tilton
Zombie Rights!2003ShortHost
Totally Blonde2001Blonde Scool Director
Bar Hopping2000TV MovieActress

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
High Chaparall2004TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star2003"Child Stars on Your Television"
Ragin' Cajun1991"I Slipped on My Best Friend" / performer: "I L.U.V.Y.O.U.", "The Heart of You", "We Can Make It"

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Dallas Reunion: Return to Southfork2004TV Movie documentary co-executive producer
Pale Horse Pale Rider1980Short executive producer

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Chicago Massacre: Richard Speck2007Video special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Classic Hollywood Cinemas2016DocumentaryHerself
Entertainment Tonight2015TV SeriesHerself
Oprah: Where Are They Now?2015TV SeriesHerself
We Love Soaps TV2014TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Charlene Tilton & Actors for Autism PSA2014ShortHerself
Inside Web Series2013TV Series documentaryHerself
Marie2013TV Series documentary
Celebrity Ghost Stories2013TV Series documentaryHerself
Pioneers of Television2013TV Mini-Series documentaryHerself
Sugar Dome2013TV SeriesHerself - Guest Judge
The Wright Stuff2012TV SeriesHerself - Guest Panelist
Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel2012TV SeriesHerself
Loose Women2008-2012TV SeriesHerself
Aspiring Hollywood2011TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Celebrity Close Calls2011TV SeriesHerself
Breakfast2011TV SeriesHerself - Guest
The Wendy Williams Show2011TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Totally Tracked Down2010TV SeriesHerself
RuPaul's Drag U2010TV SeriesHerself - Contestant
Dish it Out!2010TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Dallas VIP: 30 Year Reunion at Southfork Ranch2010Video documentary
Catch 212009TV SeriesHerself - Celebrity Contestant
London by Night2009TV MovieHerself
The Fish2009/IHerself
1 vs. 1002008TV SeriesHerself
Paula's Party2008TV SeriesHerself
TV Land Confidential2005-2007TV Series documentaryHerself / Herself - Interviewee
20 heures le journal2007TV SeriesHerself
In the Cutz2006TV SeriesHerself
Stars in Their Eyes2006TV SeriesHerself / Madonna
The 4th Annual TV Land Awards2006TV SpecialHerself
The Paul O'Grady Show2005TV SeriesHerself - Guest
The Farm2005TV SeriesHerself
The British Comedy Awards 20042004TV SpecialHerself - Presenter
Dallas Reunion: Return to Southfork2004TV Movie documentaryHerself / Lucy Ewing
GMTV2004TV SeriesHerself
The John Kerwin Show2004TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Living in TV Land2004TV Series documentaryHerself
Hollywood Squares2004TV SeriesHerself
High Chaparall2004TV Series documentaryHerself - Guest
Pyramid2004TV SeriesHerself
Discovery Health Celebrity Body Challenge2004TV SeriesHerself
SoapTalk2003TV SeriesHerself / Lucy Ewing
After Dallas2002TV MovieHerself
After They Were Famous2002TV Series documentaryHerself
When Shoulderpads Ruled the World2002TV SpecialHerself
VH-1 Where Are They Now?2000TV Series documentaryHerself
E! True Hollywood Story1997-2000TV Series documentaryHerself
Doing Dallas2000TV SpecialHerself
Good vs Evil1999TV SeriesHerself
Match Game1997TV SeriesHerself - Host
The Geraldo Rivera Show1995TV SeriesHerself
Married with Children1993TV SeriesHerself
Circus of the Stars #161991TV Special documentaryHerself
The New Hollywood Squares1988-1989TV SeriesHerself / Herself - Panelist
The Arsenio Hall Show1989TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Stand-up Comics Take a Stand1988TV Special documentaryHerself
Hour Magazine1983-1988TV SeriesHerself
America: The Great Mississippi1987TV MovieHerself
This Is Your Life1987TV SpecialHerself
The 4th Annual American Cinema Awards1987TV SpecialHerself
Academy of Country Music's 20th Anniversary Reunion1986TV SpecialHerself
Battle of the Network Stars XVII1984TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team
The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards1984TV SpecialHerself - Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special & Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special
Battle of the Network Stars XVI1984TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team
Àngel Casas Show1984TV SeriesHerself - Guest
exclusiv1983TV Series documentaryHerself
The 10th Annual American Music Awards1983TV SpecialHerself (in audience)
The Fall Guy1982TV SeriesHerself
Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny1982TV MovieHerself
The 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards1982TV Special documentaryHerself
The American Music Awards1982TV SpecialHerself
Battle of the Network Stars XI1981TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team
The Alan Thicke Show1981TV SeriesHerself - Guest
Battle of the Network Stars X1981TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team
Saturday Night Live1981TV SeriesHerself - Host / Starla / Molly Dawson / ...
The Bob Hope Funny Valentine Special1981TV SpecialHerself
The 38th Annual Golden Globe Awards1981TV SpecialHerself
CBS All American Thanksgiving Day Parade1980TV SpecialHerself
Battle of the Network Stars VIII1980TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team
The Hollywood Squares1979-1980TV SeriesHerself
The Mike Douglas Show1978-1980TV SeriesHerself - Guest / Herself - Co-Host
Circus of the Stars #41979TV Special documentaryHerself - Performer
The Muppets Go Hollywood1979TV SpecialHerself (uncredited)
All-Star Family Feud Special1979TV SeriesHerself - Celebrity Contestant
Family Feud1979TV SeriesHerself
Battle of the Network Stars V1978TV SpecialHerself - CBS Team

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
1 quart de 32008TV SeriesHerself
Saturday Night Live in the '80s: Lost & Found2005TV Special documentaryHerself
High Chaparall2004TV Series documentaryHerself - Previous Guest
Dallas1986TV SeriesLucy Ewing Cooper
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1982TV SeriesBambi
Happy Days1977TV SeriesJill Higgins

Awards

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2014ISAIndie Series AwardsBest Guest Star - DramaDeVanity (2011)
2006Pop Culture AwardTV Land AwardsDallas (1978)
2001Former Child Star Lifetime Achievement AwardYoung Artist AwardsDallas (1978)
1987BambiBambi AwardsJubileeDallas (1978)
1980Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardsBest Juvenile Actress in a TV Series or SpecialDallas (1978)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1982Sour AppleGolden Apple Awards

3rd Place Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1981Bravo Otto GermanyBravo OttoBest Female TV Star (TV-Star w)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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