Janet Landgard Obituary – Death: ‘The Donna Reed Show’ Regular And ‘The Swimmer’ Costar Has Passed Away, Cause Of Death
Janet Landgard, renowned for her role as Paul Petersen’s love interest on The Donna Reed Show and her notable appearance alongside Burt Lancaster in the film drama The Swimmer, passed away on November 6 at the age of 75 due to brain cancer, as confirmed by several friends on social media.
In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, actor Paul Petersen expressed, “The best TV girlfriend my alternate ego, Jeff Stone, ever had. Janet was gorgeous, inside and out … a flawless Scandinavian beauty that literally stunned jaded Hollywood types into silence. We were always close no matter the time or distance.”
Born on December 2, 1947, in Pasadena, Landgard began her career with the William Adrian Modeling Agency. Her onscreen journey commenced in 1963 on The Donna Reed Show, where she made a memorable debut in a fifth-season episode while still in high school. The same year, she also graced ABC’s My Three Sons.
This marked the beginning of her recurring role as Karen, Paul Petersen’s girlfriend, in 11 episodes of The Donna Reed Show.
In the 1968 Columbia Pictures drama, The Swimmer, Landgard portrayed a former babysitter to Burt Lancaster’s character, Ned Merrill. Her character accompanies him on a tour of swimming pools but decides to leave when the situation becomes too intimate.
Post The Swimmer, Landgard featured in Land Raiders (1969), alongside Telly Savalas, George Maharis, and Arlene Dahl; the 1971 ABC telefilm The Deadly Dream, starring Lloyd Bridges and Janet Leigh; and Moonchild (1972), starring Victor Buono.
After these roles, Landgard chose to step away from acting.
As of now, there is no information available about survivors or memorial plans. Janet Landgard’s legacy will undoubtedly endure through her impactful contributions to the world of entertainment.
