Donna Mills  (Donna Jean Miller), Class of 1958

Donna was first exposed to show business through her Mother, who was a dance teacher. Donna studied drama at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana before returning to Chicago to work in summer stock productions. In New York, she quickly won an understudy role in Woody Allen’s first play “Don’t Drink the Water”.  She followed up with roles on the daytime soaps “Secret Storm” and “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing”.

Over the next several years she starred in the feature film “Play Misty For Me”, opposite Clint Eastwood and in the sitcom “The Good Life” with Larry Hagman, in addition to over twenty telefilms.

In 1980, the role of Abby Cunningham on CBS’ “Knots Landing” made such an impact with women across the country that she developed a best­selling video, “The Eyes Have It” on how to apply eye make-up.  Donna returned to familiar territory when she made a surprise return to “Knots Landing” for its final episode, and appeared in the 1997 reunion movie.  During her hiatuses from the series she starred in several highly rated MOW’s and miniseries, including “Bare Essence”, “He’s Not Your Son” and “Outback Bound”. 

Donna became a producer in 1986 with the NBC telefilm “Intimate Encounters” in which she also starred. Soon after that she received a production deal with CBS (later moving it to ABC), which was the beginning of Donna Mills Productions. While there she produced two top-rated telefilms, “The World’s Oldest Living Bridesmaid” and “Runaway Father”. Additionally, she starred in the CBS telefilms “The Lady Forgets”, “In My Daughters Name”, and the ABC miniseries, “False Arrest”.

Donna has been active on the stage and starred in "Les Liaisons Dangereuses” at the La Mirada Theater and an LA production of “Love Letters”, and has also appeared in "The Six Million Dollar Man", "The Love Boat", "CHiPs", "Quincy, M.E.", "Thriller", "Fantasy Island", "Melrose Place" and "Cold Case".

Donna has worked on behalf of Easter Seals for many years and was national co-host of their telethon for three years. She is also actively involved in the Show Coalition which successfully campaigned for Bill Clinton, and she has done extensive work in the area of Pro-Choice.  Donna serves on several boards, including ECU (Earth Communications Office), EMA (Environmental Media Assoc.), HWPA (Hollywood Women’s Political Committee), Women In Film and the NOW Legal Defense Fund. Donna is also an active member of the LA Mission’s Celebrity Action Council, a group dedicated to helping and working directly with the women participating in the Mission’s City Light Women’s Outreach rehabilitation program.

Donna Mills has consistently displayed her versatility as an actress and has carved a successful place for herself within the world of television.  A health and fitness devotee, Donna continues to keep in shape with ballet.  Donna is single and has an adopted child.