Dynasty and The Paper Chase star Betty Harford dead at 98

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Betty Harford, a well-known actress from the popular TV shows Dynasty and The Paper Chase, has passed away at the age of 98.

Wendy Mitchell, a close friend, announced that Harford died peacefully at noon on November 2, 2025, surrounded by her family. Mitchell shared the news on Facebook.

Harford worked in television for many years, but she’s best known for playing Mrs. Nottingham, the incredibly organized legal secretary to Professor Kingsfield in the series The Paper Chase.

The show was inspired by a 1971 book by John Jay Osborn Jr., and the popular 1973 movie based on it. John Houseman, who famously played Kingsfield in the film, returned to play the same character in the television series.

The Paper Chase takes place at a made-up Ivy League law school inspired by Harvard. The show centers on James T. Hart, a first-year law student, and his experiences dealing with the demanding challenges of school, particularly under the stern teaching of Professor Kingsfield.

The show first appeared on CBS from 1978 to 1979. It was then brought back by Showtime in 1983 for three more seasons, ending when Hart finished law school.

Besides her work on The Paper Chase, Harford had a long and successful television career, appearing in many shows, most notably the popular drama Dynasty, where she was well-known to viewers of daytime soap operas.

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2025-11-10 02:03