Irene Champlin


Irene Champlin was an American actress. She was born in Waurika, Oklahoma. Her most prominent role was as Dale Arden in the 1954–1955 syndicated television series Flash Gordon. Her portrayal of Arden has been praised for breaking from the typical damsel in distress of the earlier comic strip and film serials to present the character as a trained scientist and a "quick thinker who often saved from perishing." In addition to her role as Arden, Champlin had lead roles in the stage productions Calculated Risk and For Crying Out Loud and played the female lead in the motion picture Resistance. Other television appearances included The Perry Como Show, The United States Steel Hour and The Guiding Light.
Champlin was married to Paul L. Field and had two daughters, Alicia Field Taylor and Christiane Field. She died in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1990 following an extended illness.