Donna Mills

Donna Mills is an American actress whose career spans decades, recognized for her versatile roles in television and film, notably as the antagonist Abby Cunningham in “Knots Landing.” After making her Broadway debut as a harem girl in Woody Allen’s ‘Don’t Drink the Water,’ Donna Mills quickly established herself in television with recurring roles on Manhattan-based soap operas ‘The Secret Storm’ and ‘Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.’ Her film career commenced with the hard-hitting drama ‘The Incident’ in 1967, where she starred alongside Martin Sheen and Beau Bridges. Mills then acted with Clint Eastwood in the cult thriller ‘Play Misty for Me’ in 1971. Throughout the 1970s, she became a prominent figure in made-for-TV movies, often portraying a damsel in distress, with notable credits including ‘Murph the Surf’ (1975). Mills’ career underwent a significant transformation in 1980 when she joined the cast of the highly successful primetime serial ‘Knots Landing.’ Her portrayal of the complex and calculating antagonist Abby Cunningham Ewing allowed her to move beyond vulnerable characters, defining an iconic role for nearly a decade.

Her enduring presence in television includes guest roles in series such as ‘The Rookie: Feds’ (2023) and ‘NCIS’ (2024), alongside various productions for Lifetime. Donna Mills remains an active and celebrated actress across film and television, with a career marked by iconic performances and consistent critical recognition.