Gwen Welles

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Gwen Welles (born March 4, 1947, died 1993) was an American actress of stage and screen. (Although her birth year is often reported as 1951, she actually was born in 1947.) Welles was the daughter of actress Rebecca Welles. Welles is best known for her portrayal of talentless singer Sueleen Gay in Robert Altman's classic 1975 film Nashville, for which she was nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Welles also appeared in several films directed by Henry Jaglom, including New Year's Day (1989) and Eating (1990). Welles was a beautiful redhead and appeared in Playboy in 1975. She suffered bouts of drug addiction which she overcame. Welles was married to actor Harris Yulin, and she suffered an untimely death in 1993 from colon cancer. Her younger sister, Elizabeth, also died of the same condition. Donna Deitch directed a documentary about Welles' illness in 1992 which appeared at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.