What does AHF have in common with Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?
Hint: It’s not chocolate.
The answer is former Board Chair Wallace Albertson. Wallace Albertson was the wife of Emmy, Tony, and Academy Award-winning actor Jack Albertson, who played one of cinema’s most beloved characters–Grandpa Joe in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But she was much more than that.
Wally, as Wallace was lovingly referred to by Burt Convy (the host of Tattletales, a gameshow she and her husband both made appearances on from 1975-1977), was accomplished in her own right.
She was not only a fierce advocate of LGBTQIA issues but racial and social justice issues as well.
Born June Wallace Thomson on July 23, 1924, Mrs. Albertson was an established scholar with a BA in English, MS in Journalism, and Ph.D. in Speech/Communications. She also obtained a Master of Fine Arts from the American Film Institute.
Notably, she served onthe California Democratic Council 1975-1981 as the first female president. She also served on the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees from 1977-1989 and the California State University Board of Trustees from 1978 to 1986.
While in retirement, Wallaces served on AHF’s Board of Directors from 1997 to 2009, acting at different times as both Board Chair and Vice Chair. After years of activism, on January 9, 2015, Wallace Albertson passed away peacefully at her home in West Hollywood.
AHF would like to celebrate and honor the life of Wallace Albertson.
Have an archival request? Fill out the form here!