British Supermodel and Dallas Star Annabel Schofield Dies at 62 After Cancer Battle
The British entertainment world is mourning the loss of Annabel Schofield, the renowned actor and supermodel who rose to fame in the 1980s, following her death at the age of 62 after a prolonged struggle with cancer. Schofield passed away on 28 February, having first undergone surgery for the illness in 2023 before restarting chemotherapy in November 2025 when the disease spread to her brain.
A Fashion Icon and Television Star
Born in Llanelli, Wales, in 1963, Schofield became a prominent figure on London's fashion scene during the 1980s, gracing the covers of major magazines such as German Vogue. Her career quickly expanded into modelling campaigns for luxury brands including Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Rimmel, and Revlon. One of her most memorable appearances was in a 1989 television advert for Bugle Boy Jeans, where she famously asked, "Excuse me, are those Bugle Boy jeans you’re wearing?" from a black Ferrari in a desert setting.
Schofield later relocated to Los Angeles, where she transitioned into acting. She landed a role in the 1982 low-budget film Bloodtide before being cast in the long-running American soap opera Dallas. On the show, which was in its 11th season at the time, she played Laurel Ellis, a character blackmailed by series lead JR Ewing. Schofield appeared in 11 episodes and fondly recalled working with actor Howard Keel in a 2012 interview.
Tributes and Career Highlights
Tributes have poured in from the fashion and entertainment industries. Melissa Richardson, former owner of the London agency Take Two where Schofield was signed, led the memorials, describing her as a "raging beauty" and a favourite of photographer David Bailey. Richardson noted that Schofield appeared in "countless shoots" for Italian Vogue and was instrumental to the agency's success.
Schofield's father, John D Schofield, was a production executive on films like Jerry Maguire and Romancing The Stone, which influenced her later career move behind the camera. In 2010, she founded her production company, Bella Bene Productions, in Burbank, California. She also authored a semi-autobiographical novel, The Cherry Alignment, in 2013, based on her blog about 1980s culture and style.
Health Struggles and Legacy
In her later years, Schofield openly shared her cancer diagnosis on social media, documenting her treatment journey. After restarting chemotherapy in November 2025, she underwent further surgery in January. Unable to work due to her illness, she set up a GoFundMe page that raised nearly $35,000 (£26,100) in donations. In a poignant post, she wrote, "I’m very wobbly and now waiting to find out if I need more chemo or radiation. I swear it never seems to end."
Schofield is survived by her mother. Her legacy spans modelling, acting, and production, leaving an indelible mark on both British and international entertainment. Other notable roles included performances in the 1990 sci-fi thriller Solar Crisis opposite Charlton Heston, as well as in Dragonard and Eye of the Widow.
