LOS ANGELES – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today announced that Gretchen Wyler, Broadway actress and animal advocate, died this morning from complications stemming from her battle with breast cancer. She was 75, and had retired last year as vice president of the Hollywood office of The HSUS.
“The humane movement has lost one of its brightest stars,” said HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle. “Gretchen Wyler devoted 40 intense years to protecting animals, and the cause gained so much ground during that time because of her extraordinary achievements and advocacy -- in the media, in law-making, and in raising public consciousness."
Wyler created the Genesis Awards, which honors the media and entertainment industry for shining a spotlight on animal cruelty. The awards program began in 1986, and this year marked the 21st anniversary of the celebration. Known as the nation’s premier consciousness-raiser for animal protection issues, the awards are bestowed by a host of celebrity presenters such as James Cromwell, Pierce Brosnan, Martin Sheen, Kelsey Grammer, Alicia Silverstone, Wendie Malick, David Hyde-Pierce, Dennis Franz and Sidney Poitier, among others. This year, the first Gretchen Wyler Award was bestowed on Paul McCartney, for a lifetime of activism for animals.
Wyler’s theatrical career spanned 50 years and encompassed eight Broadway shows, including the original “Guys and Dolls,” “Silk Stockings,” “Damn Yankees,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Sly Fox” with George C. Scott. She was a regular on the CBS television series “On Our Own” a season on “Dallas” and many television guest-starring roles, including “Friends,” “Judging Amy,” “Providence” and “Stark Raving Mad.” She had featured roles in such films as “Private Benjamin” and “The Marrying Man,” and an array of club and concert appearances, from headlining at the Copacabana in New York City in the 1960s to singing at Carnegie Hall in June of 1991 as part of Cole Porter's 100th Birthday Party, recreating the songs she introduced as the singing-dancing lead in his “Silk Stockings.”
Wyler’s devotion to animals consumed most of her energy in recent decades. She began her crusade in 1966 after a visit to the animal shelter in Warwick, N.Y. The conditions there shocked her and she vowed to change them. Two years later, the new shelter opened its doors. Wyler managed the shelter for 10 years. In the 1970s she became the first woman member of the ASPCA’s board of directors. She also served as vice chairwoman of the board of the Fund for Animals from 1971 to 1991.
She formed The Ark Trust in 1991 and ran the organization until it joined forces with The HSUS in 2002. Wyler was named Vice President of The HSUS¹ Hollywood Office and she remained in that office until her retirement in 2006. Wyler's legacy of the work of The Hollywood Office and the Genesis Awards will be carried into the future by her friend and successor, Beverly Kaskey.
“This was a woman with a giant and irrepressible spirit,” said Dr. David Wiebers, chairman of the board of The HSUS. “She was a pioneer in the field of animal protection, and she touched countless people with her passion and enthusiasm. The Genesis Awards is just one of the many legacies she leaves.”
In lieu of flowers, Gretchen had asked that donations can be sent to the Hollywood office of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSUS last year also created the Gretchen Wyler Legacy Fund, and donations and bequests may be directed to The HSUS for that fund, which supports the work of the Hollywood Office and The Genesis Awards.
"I have lost a dear friend and a mentor, and the animals have lost one of their most passionate and tireless advocates," said Beverly Kaskey, director of the Hollywood Office of The HSUS.
Gretchen was born in Oklahoma City in 1932. She is survived by two siblings, Peggy Hanson of Pacific Palisades, Calif. and Lou Wienecke of Granbary, Texas.
The family will announce plans for a memorial service in the coming days.
For more biographical information on Wyler, go to gretchenwyler.com. For more information on the Genesis Awards, go to humanesociety.org/Hollywood.
Media Contact: Rachel Querry, 301-258-8255, rquerry@humanesociety.org
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
