Dynasty Icon Betty Harford Dies, Marking the End of a TV Era

Some sad news from classic TV land: Betty Harford, a steady presence on screens for decades and a familiar face to anyone who watched Dynasty or The Paper Chase, has died. She was 98 and passed away on November 2, 2025. The word didn't get out immediately, which turned the announcement into a bit of a curveball.

How the news surfaced

The first public confirmation came in a very 2025 way. A fan posted on Facebook wondering how Betty was doing, noting she was 98, living in California, and going by Betty Naszody — and that they hadn't heard from her in six years. Under that post, Betty's friend Wendy Mitchell shared that Betty had died. Betty's son later confirmed it as well.

"Betty's son contacted me this morning, and Betty Harford Naszody passed away peacefully with family at her side, noon on November 2, 2025. She was 98."

No cause of death was shared. Given her age, it sounds like age-related complications. Either way, she was with family.

The roles you remember her from

Harford worked steadily for more than four decades and largely stepped away from acting in the 1990s. If her name doesn't ring a bell, her characters probably do:

• Dynasty: As Hilda Gunnerson, the Carrington family's cook, she popped up for nine years and became part of the show's fabric. She later returned for Dynasty: The Reunion.
• The Paper Chase: Played the steadfast secretary to law school hardcase Prof. Charles W. Kingsfield and appeared in 41 episodes — a breakout TV role that earned her plenty of attention.
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents: Appeared in a 1955 episode (September 30, 1955).
• Dr. Kildare and The Twilight Zone: Added to a long list of guest turns across classic series.

Family

Betty Harford is survived by her son, Chris, and her grandsons.

She kept a low profile for years, but for a long stretch of TV history, she was exactly the kind of actor who made big shows feel lived-in. RIP.