Dorothy I. Adams (January 8, 1900 – March 16, 1988) was an American character actress of stage, film, and television.

Early years

Born in Hannah, North Dakota, Adams was the daughter of Rachel Jamison and hardware salesman W. E. Adams. They later moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, where she attended Braemar School and the University of British Columbia.

Stage

In the 1920s, Adams was active with the Moroni Olsen Players.

Films and television

Adams was perhaps best known for her role as Wilma Cameron's mother in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Adams made numerous television appearances in the 1950s. She was seen in Gunsmoke with James Arness, and four episodes of the Western series The Adventures of Kit Carson, starring Bill Williams. She appeared in four episodes of the crime drama series Dragnet, starring Jack Webb. She made two guest appearances in Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr. She also appeared in comedy series, such as a 1958 episode of Leave It to Beaver, starring Jerry Mathers.

Later years

In the 1960s, she was a popular acting instructor at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.

Personal life

Adams was married to character actor Byron Foulger from 1926 until his death in 1970. She was the mother of soap opera actress Rachel Ames.

Death

She died in 1988 in Woodland Hills, California. Her ashes lie with those of her husband in niche A142 in the Del Prado Mausoleum of Inglewood Park Cemetery in California.

Partial filmography

Selected Television