Priscilla Pointer, a celebrated American actress known for her roles in classic films like Carrie and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, as well as the iconic TV series Dallas, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, April 28, 2025. She was 100 years old.
Her daughter, actress Amy Irving, shared the news in a heartfelt Instagram post accompanied by personal photos. “Priscilla Pointer, actress of stage, screen, and television, mother to David, Katie, and Amy Irving, died peacefully in her sleep at 100, hoping to run off with her two beloved husbands and many adored dogs. She will be missed deeply,” the post read.
Born on May 18, 1924, in New York City, Priscilla Pointer began her career on the stage, performing in acclaimed productions such as A Streetcar Named Desire, The Country Wife, and The Condemned of Altona. Her television debut came in 1954 with The New Adventures of China Smith.
Pointer’s screen career took off in the 1970s, as she transitioned into television and film. She appeared in popular shows like McCloud, The Rockford Files, and Police Woman. She earned broader recognition through her role in Brian De Palma’s 1976 horror classic Carrie, in which she acted alongside her daughter Amy Irving.
Her recurring role in the primetime soap opera Dallas further solidified her presence on American television. Later, she starred in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), contributing to the success of another cult classic franchise.
Pointer was married twice. Her first marriage was to director Jules Irving, with whom she shared more than 30 years and had three children, including Amy Irving. After his death in 1979, she married actor Robert Symonds, her partner until his passing in 2007.
In both life and art, Pointer was deeply connected to the stage and screen. Her legacy continues through her family and the memorable roles she portrayed across generations of American entertainment.
Pointer died of natural causes at a retirement facility in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, who paid tribute to her life and career in private statements and social media posts.
