Jed Allan
USABiography of Jed Allan
ActorJed Allan, a tall and tanned actor with silver curls, is best known for his role as C.C. Capwell in the popular soap opera "Santa Barbara." Although he has appeared in dozens of roles throughout his film career, he will always be remembered by the Russian audience as C.C. Capwell, the head of the California clan, whose story captivated audiences for many years.
Early Life
American actor Jed Allan Brown was born in the Bronx, New York in 1935. He grew up with his father, a professional musician, who served as a creative role model for him. Initially, Jed had dreams of pursuing a career in music. However, fate had other plans for him. Standing at 6'3", he could have also dreamed of a career as a basketball player, but after completing high school, he decided to enroll in the drama department at the University of Washington. There, he gained popularity as a radio and television announcer, as well as a sports commentator. This line of work almost became his main career, but in 1958, Jed received his diploma and began working in the theater. Three years later, he returned to New York City to try his luck on Broadway. Allan appeared in productions such as "Viva Madison Avenue!," "Oliver!," and "Barefoot in the Park." The turning point in his biography came in 1967 when he decided to cross the continent and pursue a career in Hollywood.
Personal Life
Jed Allan was a devoted husband. He met the beautiful Toby Brown in his youth and married her at the age of 20. A wedding photo of the couple still exists. Their marriage was long and happy. Toby supported Jed on his path to fame, which was not an easy one. Although he did not immediately land the job that made him wealthy and famous, their personal life remained strong. They loved each other and had three children together: Mitch, Dean, and Rick. Toby passed away in 2001 after a prolonged illness, and her loss was a tragedy for Jed. Her wedding ring served as his talisman, providing him with strength during difficult moments in life. His other sources of joy included his hobbies such as music, travel, bowling, and golf. Jed almost stopped acting and withdrew into himself, limiting his communication only to his family members. By that time, his sons had given him nine grandchildren.
Films and Television Career
Jed Allan's television career began in 1964 with a role in the series "Love of Life." In the following years, he appeared in popular soap operas, and he gained particular popularity in "Lassie" - a family drama about a dog, in which Jed appeared for two years in the role of Scott Turner. By the time the public had gotten to know him, he received the role of Don Craig in the series "Days of Our Lives" in 1976. This role made him a favorite with the audience and earned him a nomination for an Emmy award as well as two Soapy Awards for Best Actor. Additionally, Jed continued to make appearances in other television shows, including "Adam-12," "Columbo," "Streets of San Francisco," and others.
Jed's big break came in 1986 when he auditioned for "Santa Barbara" - a long-running epic drama with worldwide popularity. By the time Jed appeared on the show, it had already been on the air for two years, and he became the sixth actor to portray the character C.C. Capwell on screen. Allan stayed in this role until the end of the project, appearing in 1,114 episodes as the head of a wealthy and troubled family.
Jed's on-screen wife was Judith McConnell, who played the role of Sophia Capwell - the mother of their three children. The final episode of "Santa Barbara" aired in 1993. By that time, Jed had become a star, particularly beloved in Russia, where the series had become legendary.
After "Santa Barbara," Jed continued to work and appeared in another cult show - the hit teen drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," where he played the father of one of the main characters, the mischievous and sporty Steve Sanders.
Death
The news of Jed Allan's passing was announced by his son, Rick Brown, on the evening of March 9, 2019, through social media. He did not disclose the cause of death, only stating that the 84-year-old actor peacefully passed away surrounded by his closest family members. In his final years, Jed lived in Palm Desert, California, where his grave is likely located.
