American actress Linda Hardisty, as she appeared in the popular Japanese TV series Ultra Seven (1967-68). Screen capture by Brian Bankston.
For many years, Ultra Seven fans in Japan have been attempting to find Linda in an effort to bring her to Japan to reunite her with the cast of the show and to introduce her to her Japanese fans. In particular, actress Yuriko Hishimi (Ultra Seven's Anne Yuri) expressed interest in seeing her old colleague again. Ultra Seven fan Yasushi Shiroi recruited me to help find her, but it had seemed nearly impossible for a long time.
Earlier today, I received a promising tip that would seem to lead me directly to Ms. Hardisty. After giving it a go on my own, I recruited super sleuth Mike Barnum (a contributor to Scarlet Street and other excellent genre publications) to help in the search. Unfortunately, what Mike was able to find turned out to be the worst possible news.
Linda Lee Hardisty, born on June 5, 1947, in Boise, Idaho, died on August 28, 1986, in Battle Ground, WA. She was 39. In 1970, she earned a Bachelor's degree in English from Boise State College (which is now Boise State University). Thus far, no obituary or cause of death has been uncovered, but we are still searching.
In fact, that remains all that's known about her. If anyone has information that he or she could share, please contact me. Any additions or corrections would be most welcome. If you were related to Linda, please contact me.
Linda died much too young, but her memory lives on with Ultra-fans around the world. RIP, Linda Hardisty.
UPDATE (7/31): Actress Yuriko Hishimi uncovered (or came into possession of) this yearbook photo from Boise State College. It is undoubtedly the same Linda Hardisty who appeared in Ultra Seven.
UPDATE (8/5): This obituary confirms her identity.
UPDATE (12/22/2022): After going through some of my old correspondences, I came across my brief notes on my telephone conversation with Linda's last surviving sister in August 2015. During our conversation, she informed me that Linda died of a perforated ulcer. At the time I spoke with her, Linda's sister seemed open to doing an interview, but she ended up changing her mind much later on in the process. Because I was expecting to publish a full interview with her eventually, I never revealed Linda's cause of death. Since that interview will almost certainly never happen, I've decided to share that information here.
Hi BRETT
ReplyDeleteI AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THIS. TOO BAD. I WISH SHE COULD COME BACK TO JAPAN TO REUNITE HER ULTRA GUARD FRIEBDS....
Fascinating! For decades, I'd been stumped about at least three different caucasian actresses who appeared in ULTRASEVEN. Back in the 1980s, I thought they were all the same woman, wearing different wigs! Thanks for solving mysteries, Brett! The fandom needs more people with passion (for classics from the Golden Years) like yours, instead of opportunistic businessmen who want to capitalize on "the next big thing"!
ReplyDeleteThis is my great aunt, she was the sister of my grandma Beth Hardisty. She died before I got to meet her and my grandma recently passed away, I knew she was in a movie and was in some Japanies commercials, but I did not know about the t.v. show.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your comment on my blog, Natachia. I truly appreciate it. If you'd like, please contact me at thehumanvapor[at]yahoo[dot]com. Even though you never met, I would like to ask you some questions about her. Thank you again very much.
Deleteshe was my moms sister. I have never seen the TV show she was in but the movie THE GREEN SLIME was shown here in the USA and I saw it. she was living with her sister susan when she died. she was the youngest of four sisters but was the first to die. Susan is the only one left.
ReplyDeleteLinda Hardisty was my mother's sister. She was the best aunt when she was around us when we were growing up. She taught us how to sing London Bridges in Japanese, and count to ten.I remember her as being very smart and beautiful. I knew my Aunt was in Green Slime, but I did not know about the T.V. series either. I think she taught english to Japanese adults when she lived in Japan. Linda was the youngest of four daughters, Ann, Beth, my mother, and Susan Henke, her only sister still alive and of Battle Ground, WA. This is so awesome that she is remembered by fans of a show she acted in.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your comments. I'm trying to find out more about Linda. If you could, please write to me at thehumanvapor[at]yahoo[dot]com. I hope to hear from you soon.
DeleteShe appeared in at least 2 Japanese TV shows, episodes 14 & 15 of ULTRASEVEN (1968) and episode 1 of KEYHUNTER (1968, B&W).
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppK5BwBkQX4
https://youtu.be/TDXt1EEd_eo?si=L-1hq1aXGqWGVoCN
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese film company Toei just released Keyhunter on YouTube. She speaks beautiful Japanese. It is so sad that she passed away so young. Keyhunter was a prime time TV drama. I’m pretty sure she attracted many Japanese.