Hollywood in the 1960s was full of stars whose careers seemed destined for greatness.
Anjanette Comer was one of them — a striking young actress whose Texas determination, natural talent, and beauty helped put her on the fast track to becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
But now, sad news has emerged that Comer, best known for The Loved One, The Appaloosa, and The Baby, has died at 86.
Born August 7, 1939, in Dawson, Texas, Comer studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. Unlike many young actresses drawn to Hollywood’s glamour, she focused on developing her craft. During her first two years in Hollywood, she did not actively pursue professional work or even visit film studios. Instead, she studied, practiced, and prepared for the right opportunity.
Her television career began in the early 1960s, with appearances on shows including My Three Sons, The Donna Reed Show, Gunsmoke, Ben Casey, and Arrest and Trial. Her performance on Arrest and Trial earned her an Emmy nomination for supporting actress.
Then came the movies.
Comer made her big-screen debut in Quick, Before It Melts in 1964. The following year, her role as Aimee Thanatogenous in The Loved One brought her wider attention.
In 1966, she starred opposite Marlon Brando and John Saxon in The Appaloosa, playing a Mexican woman caught up in the Western drama.
For a brief period, Comer seemed destined for major Hollywood success. She was even offered roles opposite Robert Redford in Barefoot in the Park and alongside Warren Beatty in Bonnie and Clyde, both released in 1967.
She declined both roles.
Jane Fonda ultimately starred in Barefoot in the Park, while Faye Dunaway took the role in Bonnie and Clyde. Both films became major successes.
Years later, Comer openly discussed the decisions that had affected her career. In a 1981 interview, she explained that she had been involved in what she called a very important relationship with an actor who did not want her working in movies.
She also admitted that, at the time, she was young and naive and that she had struggled with her rapidly changing career.
Another setback came while filming Funeral in Berlin, the 1966 sequel to The Ipcress File. Comer left Germany during production and was replaced by Eva Renzi.
Looking back, Comer acknowledged that the incident contributed to her Hollywood reputation.
She later explained that she had become an instant movie star after only a few television appearances and did not know how to handle the experience emotionally.
Although her career never reached the heights many expected, Comer continued working steadily in movies and television.
Her credits included Guns for San Sebastian, Rabbit, Run, The Firechasers, Fire Sale, and Steven Soderbergh’s The Underneath. She also appeared on television shows including Bonanza, Mannix, Columbo, Hotel, and The Practice.
One of her memorable later performances came in the unusual 1973 horror film The Baby, in which she played a social worker.
Actress Marianna Hill, who worked with Comer on the film, later remembered how seriously Comer approached acting and how much thought she put into creating her characters.
Comer’s personal life also took its own path. She married writer, screenwriter, and director Robert Klane in 1976. Their marriage lasted until their divorce in 1983.
Despite the setbacks, Comer remained hopeful about her career. In the 1981 interview, she expressed confidence that she could once again reach the level of success she had experienced earlier in her career.
Comer died on May 28 at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. News of her death was not made public until September 2026. According to a death certificate reported by The Hollywood Reporter, she had been battling leukemia and also had heart problems.
Anjanette Comer never became the household name that some of her contemporaries became. Yet for those who remember the movies and television of the 1960s, she remains a fascinating example of how unpredictable a Hollywood career can be.
She had the talent, the looks, and remarkable opportunities — including two roles that went on to become defining moments for Jane Fonda and Faye Dunaway.