Phyllis Coates, the first actress to portray Lois Lane on television, has passed away at the age of 96 from natural causes, according to her family. Coates gained fame for her role as the iconic character in the first season of Adventures of Superman in 1952. She played the role for a total of 26 episodes during the show’s six-year run in syndication.
Prior to her television debut, Coates had also appeared as Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men. This marked the first feature film based on a DC Comics character. Throughout her career, Coates made appearances on various television shows, including The Abbott and Costello Show, The Lone Ranger, Leave It to Beaver, Perry Mason, and Gunsmoke. Additionally, she had notable roles in films such as I Was a Teenage Frankenstein, Blood Arrow, Girls in Prison, and The Baby Maker.
One of Coates’ most notable performances was her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe’s mentally ill mother, Gladys Baker, in the 1989 film Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn.
In her personal life, Coates was married four times. She first married TV director Richard L. Bare, with whom she worked on 166 episodes of Green Acres. She then married musician Robert Nelms and later tied the knot with Norman Tokar, the director of Leave It to Beaver. Her final marriage was to doctor Howard Press. Unfortunately, all of Coates’ marriages ended in divorce.
Coates is survived by her daughters Laura and Zoe, as well as her granddaughter Olivia. Her legacy as the first Lois Lane will always be remembered in the world of television and film.
The entertainment industry mourns the loss of Phyllis Coates, an actress who brought a beloved character to life and left an indelible mark on the world of superheroes and entertainment. Her contribution to the portrayal of Lois Lane will forever be cherished by fans and fellow actors alike.
