Pat Colbert has sadly died aged 77.
The star, best known for her role as the stylish Oil Baron’s Club host and manager Dora Mae on the final eight seasons of the CBS primetime soap Dallas, has passed away.
Colbert's sister, Tami, told The Hollywood Reporter that the actress had died on June 23 at her home in Compton after suffering three strokes over the past decade.
The news was also confirmed by a fan account on Instagram which released a statement notifying fans of the tragedy.
"Dallasfanzine is sad to report the passing of Pat Colbert, who played hostess and queen of the Oil Barons Club, Dora Mae for eight seasons on the Dallas TV series," they wrote in a tribute post. "Pat was 77 and passed away peacefully at her home in LA on Junes 23. (Funeral July 20) Thanks to Pat's family for reaching out to us. Love and light to all who loved her and may she rest in peace."
Hundreds of fans gathered to mourn the loss of the actress, with many commending her impactful performance as Dora Mae.
"Dora Mae was so pretty and regal. I'm literally watching her right now in Season 13," wrote one fan while another added: "My sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Dora Mae. My daughter and I are currently watching the entire Dallas series. We are on season 8 and my daughter is in love with that tv show. Dora Mae was always respected by everyone, especially JR when they came into the club. Rest will beautiful lady."
A third commented: "That's a name that will go down in history. Brilliant actress RIP."
Colbert began her journey in the entertainment world with a keen interest in acting and storytelling. Her early career saw her taking on various roles in television, with one of her most notable performances being the wife of Bill Cosby’s character in the 1987 spy parody movie, Leonard Part 6.
From there, she went on to appear on multiple shows including Benson, The Fall Guy, Sisters, and True Colors.
After a bit of a dip in her career in the middle, Colbert caught a big break when she secured a recurring role on Dallas which saw her on the TV show for almost a decade.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Shaun Chang explained the importance behind the 77-year-old's character.
"As the only recurring African American character on the series, Dora Mae never had a storyline, because Dallas never tried to pretend to be anything more than the saga of the Ewing family, but she played the role with elegance and intelligence,” Chang told the outlet.
"The leading characters, and the show itself, treated her with respect and without any sense of condescension. Dallas had many recurring supporting characters who helped create a sense of community for a show set in a major city, and Dora Mae was part of the fabric of the series," he added.
Colbert is survived by her siblings Tami, Aaron, and Johnetta, and her son, Michael.
.jpg_afiN0s?tr=h-184)
