Nancy Dow

Nancy Maryanne Dow (July 22, 1936 – May 27, 2016) was an American television and film actress. She was married to actor John Aniston and was the mother of actress Jennifer Aniston.

Early life Dow was born in West Hartford, Connecticut, one of six daughters of Louise (née Grieco) and Gordon McLean Dow. Her maternal grandfather, Louis Grieco, was an Italian immigrant; her other ancestry included English, Scottish and Irish.

Career

Dow's career included modeling, television appearances in the 1960s, and later film work. In 1966, she played Athena in an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. In 1967, she appeared in episodes of The Wild Wild West and Mr. Terrific. She also appeared in the 1969 film The Ice House. Her final acting credit was in the 2004 Canadian film Pure.

Personal life Dow was married to John T. "Jack" Melick Jr., a pianist/bandleader who was based in Dallas, from 1956 to 1961. The couple had one son, John T. Melick III (b. 1959), In 2005, after Aniston's divorce from Brad Pitt, she and her mother reportedly reconciled. Aniston described the gradual progress of her new relationship with her mother: "It's been really nice. It's crazy what, you know, your life kind of being turned upside down will lead you to. ... For us it's ... It was the time, and it was going to happen when it was supposed to happen. So, this is good. It's baby steps."

Health and death In 2011 and 2012, Dow had several strokes which affected her ability to speak and walk. On the morning of May 25, 2016, she was taken by ambulance from her home in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles. She died two days later at 79 years old.

Filmography The Beverly Hillbillies (1966) (TV series) – Athena The Wild Wild West (1967) (TV series) – Tersa The Ice House (1969) – Jan Wilson Pure (2004) – Lynne