Juanin Clay (born Juanin Clay de Zalduondo; November 26, 1949 – March 12, 1995) was an American actress whose films included WarGames and The Legend of the Lone Ranger.
Early years Clay was born in Westchester County, New York, to Antonio and Barbara de Zalduondo. and attended the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut. She graduated from Smith College, then earned a master's degree in education from Harvard University. She was a kindergarten teacher in Connecticut before she became an actress.
Career Clay originated the role of Raven Alexander on the daytime soap opera The Edge of Night from 1976 to 1977, and chose to leave to pursue other projects. She was a contender for the role of Wilma Deering in the 1979–1981 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, but lost the role to Erin Gray, who returned to reprise her role from the 1979 theatrical release. Clay later guest-starred in the Buck Rogers episode "Vegas in Space", playing Marla Landers, who briefly partnered with Rogers. Clay appeared as a guest star on a number of TV series, including Father Murphy and L.A. Law. In 1981, she appeared in The Legend of the Lone Ranger, and in 1983, she had a small role in WarGames. In 1985, she played Jacqueline Kennedy in the miniseries Robert Kennedy and His Times. She was a founding member of the New York Acting Unit, a Shakespearean repertory group, and the co-author, producer, and director of King of the City, a drama about Al Capone.
Clay's work on stage included acting off-Broadway and in productions in Los Angeles and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Personal life and death In 1981, Clay married Joe Lambie, who played opposite her as Logan Swift on The Edge of Night. She was a Christian Scientist.
Clay died of cancer in a convalescent hospital in Los Angeles on March 12, 1995. She was 45 years old.
Legacy The Valley Theatre League of Los Angeles created the Juanin Clay Lifetime Achievement Award in her memory.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1976–1977 The Edge of Night Raven Alexander TV series1978 Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery TV movie1979 The Fantastic Seven Dinah Latimore Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Major Marla Landers Episode: "Vegas in Space" (S1/E5)1980 Skag Joyce TV series The Associates Yvonne Winslow House Calls 1981 Foul Play Pandora Nero Wolfe Annabel Fey The Legend of the Lone Ranger Amy Striker Film1982 The Long Summer of George Adams Ann Sharp TV movie Father Murphy Amanda Singer TV series1983 WarGames Patricia Healy Film1985 Robert Kennedy and His Times Jacqueline Kennedy TV series Our Family Honor Rita Danzig 1986 L.A. Law Judge Alice Ratakowsky 1991 Shannon's Deal Greed
References
External links Juanin Clay, the woman who would have been Wilma – tribute site