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| '''Christine Belford''' (born January 14, 1949) is an American actress who portrayed [[Leda]], a disgruntled [[medtech]], in the {{OS|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero|prose=y}} two-parter. | | '''Christine Belford''' (born January 14, 1949) is an American actress who portrayed [[Leda]], a disgruntled [[medtech]], in the {{OS|The Gun on Ice Planet Zero|prose=y}} two-parter. |
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| == Career == | | == Early Life == |
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| Born in [[w:Amityville, New York|Amityville]], [[w:New York (state)|New York]],<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_starlet_birthplace">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Amityville%2C%20N.Y.|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Belford came from comfortable circumstances; her father was a successful sales executive with [[w:RCA|RCA]]-[[w:Whirlpool Corporation|Whirlpool]].<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_father_rca">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Her%20father%20was%20a%20successful%20sales%20executive%20with%20RCA-Whirlpool|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She was enrolled at the best schools and joined the best swimming and yachting clubs on [[w:Long Island|Long Island]].<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_clubs_long_island">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20was%20enrolled%20at%20the%20best%20schools%20and%20joined%20the%20best%20swimming%20and%20yachting%20clubs%20on%20Long%20Island|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her early years were spent training and riding jumpers on Long Island.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_riding_horses">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=her%20early%20years%20were%20spent%20training%20and%20riding%20jumpers%20in%20Long%20Island|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> However, her family discouraged idleness and she didn't grow up believing the notion that eventually she would marry and be like Jackie.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_family_discouraged">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20her%20family%20discouraged%20idleness%20so%20she%20didn%27t%20grow%20up%20believing%20the%20notion%20that%20eventually%20she%20would%20marry%20and%20be%20like%20Jackie|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She grew up thinking in terms of a career, considering psychiatry, law, and writing, but always remained a good student.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_career_thinking">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20grew%20up%20thinking%20in%20terms%20of%20a%20career.%20She%20considered%20psychiatry%2C%20law%20and%20writing%20and%20had%20always%20been%20a%20good%20student|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> When she was 17, a friend suggested she should think of acting, which became an actress.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_friend_suggestion">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20when%20she%20was%2017%2C%20a%20friend%20suggested%20she%20should%20think%20of%20acting.%20So%20she%20became%20an%20actress|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her family lived in the home that would later become the setting of the 1979 horror classic ''[[w:The Amityville Horror (1979 film)|The Amityville Horror]]''.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_amityville_house">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Christine%20Belford%2C%20who%20lived%20in%20the%20house%20that%20was%20the%20basis%20for%20the%20movie%20%22The%20Amityville%20Horror%22|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Belford registered at [[w:Hofstra University|Hofstra University]] and met Joseph Leon, the teacher who was then running the school's drama department. Leon, who had been divorced for several years, became a second father to her, and she decided to pursue an acting career.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_joseph_leon">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=registered%20at%20Hofstra%20University%20and%20met%20Joseph%20Leon%2C%20the%20teacher%20who%20was%20then%20running%20the%20school%27s%20drama%20department|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Belford readily acknowledged that strong influences from teachers during the educational process can shape career paths.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_teacher_influence">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=just%20about%20everybody%20comes%20under%20a%20strong%20influence%20from%20a%20teacher%20somewhere%20during%20the%20educational%20process|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> However, being in the drama department of Hofstra University and knowing she had definite acting talent presented challenges, as nobody around New York or Broadway seemed to realize it.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_broadway_struggle">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=That%27s%20easier%20thought%20about%20than%20done.%20I%20had%20been%20doing%20well%20in%20the%20drama%20department%20of%20Hofstra%20University%2C%20and%20I%20knew%20I%20had%20definite%20acting%20talent.%20The%20trouble%20was%2C%20nobody%20around%20New%20York%20or%20Broadway%20seemed%20to%20realize%20it|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| {{quote|In order to keep a roof over my head and to eat, I took any job I could find. I was a waitress, a bar maid, and I also drove an ice truck.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_survival_jobs">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20keep%20a%20roof%20over%20my%20head%20and%20to%20eat%2C%20I%20took%20any%20job%20I%20could%20find.%20I%20was%20a%20waitress%2C%20a%20bar%20maid%2C%20and%20I%20also%20drove%20an%20ice%20truck|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
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| Later, she got a photographic modeling job, which was about the time she was hit with the grand love affair that came to California, where she met her good friend Carrie and also Monique James.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_modeling_california">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Now%20and%20then%20I%20got%20a%20photographic%20modeling%20job.%20This%20was%20about%20the%20time%20she%20was%20hit%20with%20the%20grand%20love%20affair%20and%20came%20to%20California.%20And%20met%20her%20good%20friend%2C%20Carrie.%20Also%20Monique%20James|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In 1972, Belford was a starlet under a seven-year contract with [[w:Universal Pictures|Universal Pictures]], the only studio in [[w:Hollywood|Hollywood]] still issuing full blast contracts thanks to television commitments.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_universal_contract">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=vintage%201972.%20She%20possesses%20a%20seven-year%20contract%20with%20Universal%20Pictures%2C%20the%20only%20studio%20in%20Hollywood%20still%20going%20full%20blast%20thanks%20to%20television%20commitments|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her friend and successful Universal contract player, [[w:Carrie Snodgress|Carrie Snodgress]], suggested she visit [[w:Monique James|Monique James]], head of Universal's Hollywood talent division, who absolutely loved Belford and impressed her during the interview.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_monique_james">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Her%20friend%20and%20successful%20Universal%20contract%20player%2C%20Carrie%20Snodgress%2C%20suggested%20a%20visit%20to%20Monique%20James%2C%20head%20of%20Universal%27s%20Hollywood%20talent%20division|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| {{quote|Monique is the one who really took me in hand and encouraged me and told me to keep on trying—that I really had it.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_monique_encouragement">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=the%20lady%20who%20heads%20up%20Universal%27s%20talent%20division%20on%20the%20West%20Coast.%20%E2%80%9CMonique%20is%20the%20one%20who%20really%20took%20me%20in%20hand%20and%20encouraged%20me%20and%20told%20me%20to%20keep%20on%20trying%E2%80%94that%20I%20really%20had%20it|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
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| Thanks to the time James spent with her, Belford was able to start off with a leading role with [[w:Paul Newman|Paul Newman]] in ''[[w:Pocket Money|Pocket Money]]''.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_pocket_money">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Thanks%20to%20the%20time%20she%20spent%20with%20me%2C%20I%20was%20able%20to%20start%20off%20with%20a%20leading%20role%20with%20Paul%20Newman%20in%20%27Pocket%20Money|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Since then, she worked in ''[[w:The Carey Treatment|The Carey Treatment]]'', ''[[w:Marcus Welby, M.D.|Marcus Welby]]'', ''[[w:Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law|Owen Marshall]]'', ''[[w:Ironside (1967 TV series)|Ironside]]''—and coming up on TV, ''[[w:Banacek|Banacek]]'' (also with Peppard), and ''[[w:The Groundstar Conspiracy|The Groundstar Conspiracy]]'' as her first feature film starring role.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_early_credits">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Since%20then%2C%20%27I%27ve%20worked%20in%20%27Marcus%20Welby%2C%27%20%27Owen%20Marshall%2C%27%20%27Ironside%27%E2%80%94and%20coming%20up%20on%20TV%2C%20%27Banacek%27%20(also%20with%20Peppard).%20%27The%20Groundstar%20Conspiracy%27%20is%20my%20first%20feature%20film%20starring%20role|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Everything happened in such a short time that she wondered, with her work life so full, if she had little time for anything else.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_rapid_success">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=It%27s%20all%20happened%20in%20such%20a%20short%20time.%20Do%20you%20wonder%20with%20my%20work%20life%20so%20full%2C%20I%20have%20little%20time%20for%20anything%20else|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| On his way out, George Peppard stopped by to say "Hi," and he and Christine shook hands, about which Manners noted "That's about all she has time for romantically these days."<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_peppard_goodbye">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=On%20his%20way%20out%2C%20George%20Peppard%20stopped%20by%20to%20say%2C%20%E2%80%9CHi%2C%E2%80%9D%20and%20he%20and%20Christine%20shook%20hands.%20That%27s%20about%20all%20she%20has%20time%20for%20romantically%20these%20days|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Columnist Dorothy Manners described her career trajectory in 1972, noting her optimistic approach to the entertainment industry.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_life_smile">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Christine%20Belford%3A%20Life%20Is%20One%20Big%20Smile|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Two years prior to the 1972 article, her friend Carrie Snodgress, a star on the Universal lot, was taking acting-novice Christine around the studio introducing her to important people who might help her get started on a film career.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_carrie_introduction">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Two%20years%20ago%2C%20her%20friend%20Carrie%20Snodgress%2C%20a%20star%20on%20the%20Universal%20lot%2C%20was%20taking%20acting-novice%20Christine%20around%20the%20studio%20introducing%20her%20to%20important%20people%20who%20might%20help%20her%20get%20started%20on%20a%20film%20career|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Ironically, by 1972 Snodgress (on suspension by Universal for refusing role after role) was currently awaiting the arrival of a baby whose father is singer [[w:Neil Young|Neil Young]], while Christine was currently on view co-starring with George Peppard and [[w:Michael Sarrazin|Michael Sarrazin]] in "[[w:The Groundstar Conspiracy|The Groundstar Conspiracy]]", had a long-term contract with the studio, and recently banked a healthy bonus for her appearances in the company's assorted TV shows.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_ironic_reversal">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Carrie%2C%20on%20suspension%20by%20%22U%22%20for%20refusing%20role%20after%20role%2C%20is%20currently%20waiting%20the%20arrival%20of%20a%20baby%20whose%20father%20is%20singer%20Neil%20Young.%20Christine%2C%20currently%20on%20view%20co-starring%20with%20George%20Peppard%20and%20Michael%20Sarrazin%20in%20%22The%20Groundstar%20Conspiracy%2C%22%20has%20a%20long-term%20contract%20with%20the%20studio%2C%20and%20recently%20banked%20a%20healthy%20bonus%20for%20her%20appearances%20in%20the%20company%27s%20assorted%20TV%20shows|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| The reversal became even more ironic when considering the details: Belford gave up a chance for a top role in ''[[w:Hair (film)|Hair]]'' on [[w:Broadway theatre|Broadway]] to follow a man she was very much in love with to [[w:California|California]].<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_hair_broadway">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20gave%20up%20a%20chance%20for%20a%20top%20role%20in%20%27Hair%27%20on%20Broadway%20to%20follow%20a%20man%20I%20was%20very%20much%20in%20love%20with%20to%20California|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| {{quote|I was so much in love with him, I didn't really care what happened to my career. At that time, feeling the way I did, I would have done the same thing Carrie did, given it all up for love.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_love_priority">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20was%20so%20much%20in%20love%20with%20him%2C%20I%20didn%27t%20really%20care%20what%20happened%20to%20my%20career.%20At%20that%20time%2C%20feeling%20the%20way%20I%20did%2C%20I%20would%20have%20done%20the%20same%20thing%20Carrie%20did%2C%20given%20it%20all%20up%20for%20love|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
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| By the time of the interview, seated in the booth next to Manners at the [[w:Polo Lounge|Polo Lounge]], Belford stated "Now I know better," noting the relationship had slowed down to a few dinner dates and just a nice friendship, with a few laughs together.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_relationship_ended">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=in%20the%20Polo%20Lounge%20before%20adding%2C%20%E2%80%9CNow%20I%20know%20better.%E2%80%9D%20Apparently%2C%20we%20were%20not%20done%20with%20irony.%20Seated%20in%20the%20booth%20next%20to%20us%20was%20George%20Peppard%2C%20rumored%20to%20be%20a%20more%20recent%20love%20of%20Christine%27s%20life.%20She%20shook%20her%20head.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20had%20something%20going%20for%20a%20little%20while%20but%20it%20has%20slowed%20down%20to%20a%20few%20dinner%20dates%20now%20and%20then%2C%20just%20a%20nice%20friendship%20and%20a%20few%20laughs%20together%2C%20that%27s%20all|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> George Peppard, rumored to be a more recent love interest of Christine's, was seated in the booth next to them; she shook her head about the rumors and stated they had something going for a little while.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_peppard_romance">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Seated%20in%20the%20booth%20next%20to%20us%20was%20George%20Peppard%2C%20rumored%20to%20be%20a%20more%20recent%20love%20of%20Christine%27s%20life|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> On the emotional side, Belford stated she was looking for these days someone "I'm not years old, I've been unbelievably lucky in the breaks I'm getting at a time when the industry is in a slump. I have a little house I love, and three cats, and all the clothes I can wear. I don't even want—or need—any more money."<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_emotional_contentment">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=And%20on%20the%20emotional%20side%2C%20that%27s%20all%20Christine%20is%20looking%20for%20these%20days.%20%E2%80%9CI%27m%20not%20years%20old%2C%20I%27ve%20been%20unbelievably%20lucky%20in%20the%20breaks%20I%27m%20getting%20at%20a%20time%20when%20the%20industry%20is%20in%20a%20slump.%20I%20have%20a%20little%20house%20I%20love%2C%20and%20three%20cats%2C%20and%20all%20the%20clothes%20I%20can%20wear.%20I%20don%27t%20even%20want%E2%80%94or%20need%E2%80%94any%20more%20money|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Belford described herself as animated and excited, with green eyes that light up on a childishly rounded face that manages to be surprisingly sexy, with heavy red hair in short bounces and a decollete summer blouse adding to the sexy appeal.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_physical_description">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=When%20she%20is%20animated%20and%20excited%20Christine%20turns%20on.%20The%20green%20eyes%20light%20up%20a%20childishly%20rounded%20face%20that%20also%20manages%20to%20be%20surprisingly%20sexy.%20Her%20heavy%20red%20hair%2C%20in%20short%20bounces.%20A%20decollete%20summer%20blouse%20adds%20to%20the%20sexy%20appeal|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Men looked at her twice, and she knew it, but for the time being, serious involvement with men would have to wait its turn.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_men_attention">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Men%20look%20at%20her%20twice%2C%20and%20she%20knows%20it.%20But%20for%20the%20time%20being%2C%20serious%20involvement%20with%20men%20will%20have%20to%20wait%20its%20turn|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | | Born in [[w:Amityville, New York|Amityville]], [[w:New York (state)|New York]],<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_starlet_birthplace">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Amityville%2C%20N.Y.|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Belford came from comfortable circumstances; her father was a successful sales executive with [[w:RCA|RCA]]-[[w:Whirlpool Corporation|Whirlpool]].<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_father_rca">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Her%20father%20was%20a%20successful%20sales%20executive%20with%20RCA-Whirlpool|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She was enrolled at the best schools and joined the best swimming and yachting clubs on [[w:Long Island|Long Island]].<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_clubs_long_island">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20was%20enrolled%20at%20the%20best%20schools%20and%20joined%20the%20best%20swimming%20and%20yachting%20clubs%20on%20Long%20Island|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her early years were spent training and riding jumpers on Long Island.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_riding_horses">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=her%20early%20years%20were%20spent%20training%20and%20riding%20jumpers%20in%20Long%20Island|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her family lived in the home that would later become the setting of the 1979 horror classic ''[[w:The Amityville Horror (1979 film)|The Amityville Horror]]''.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_amityville_house">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Christine%20Belford%2C%20who%20lived%20in%20the%20house%20that%20was%20the%20basis%20for%20the%20movie%20%22The%20Amityville%20Horror%22|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| {{quote|Just because I came out here with no experience professionally doesn't mean I was a greenhorn. I grew up in a lovely home on Long Island, where I was born. My father was a successful man and his family enjoyed life. As a child, I rode and showed jumpers, was close to my family and had a lot of friends. No hang-ups. That is, until my parents divorced. That was a crusher. I took it hard.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_parents_divorce">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Just%20because%20I%20came%20out%20here%20with%20no%20experience%20professionally%20doesn%27t%20mean%20I%20was%20a%20greenhorn.%20I%20grew%20up%20in%20a%20lovely%20home%20on%20Long%20Island%2C%20where%20I%20was%20born.%20My%20father%20was%20a%20successful%20man%20and%20his%20family%20enjoyed%20life.%20As%20a%20child%2C%20I%20rode%20and%20showed%20jumpers%2C%20was%20close%20to%20my%20family%20and%20had%20a%20lot%20of%20friends.%20No%20hang-ups.%20That%20is%2C%20until%20my%20parents%20divorced.%20That%20was%20a%20crusher.%20I%20took%20it%20hard|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}} | | {{quote|Just because I came out here with no experience professionally doesn't mean I was a greenhorn. I grew up in a lovely home on Long Island, where I was born. My father was a successful man and his family enjoyed life. As a child, I rode and showed jumpers, was close to my family and had a lot of friends. No hang-ups. That is, until my parents divorced. That was a crusher. I took it hard.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_parents_divorce">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Just%20because%20I%20came%20out%20here%20with%20no%20experience%20professionally%20doesn%27t%20mean%20I%20was%20a%20greenhorn.%20I%20grew%20up%20in%20a%20lovely%20home%20on%20Long%20Island%2C%20where%20I%20was%20born.%20My%20father%20was%20a%20successful%20man%20and%20his%20family%20enjoyed%20life.%20As%20a%20child%2C%20I%20rode%20and%20showed%20jumpers%2C%20was%20close%20to%20my%20family%20and%20had%20a%20lot%20of%20friends.%20No%20hang-ups.%20That%20is%2C%20until%20my%20parents%20divorced.%20That%20was%20a%20crusher.%20I%20took%20it%20hard|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}} |
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| She noted that by the time she was old enough to realize everyone has to live their own life—even parents—she had the feeling she wanted to get away, to be on her own, to become completely independent.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_independence_desire">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=But%2C%20luckily%2C%20I%20was%20old%20enough%20to%20realize%20everyone%20has%20to%20live%20his%20or%20her%20own%20life%E2%80%94even%20parents.%20But%20I%20had%20this%20feeling%20I%20wanted%20to%20get%20away%2C%20to%20be%20on%20my%20own%2C%20to%20become%20completely%20independent|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | | She noted that by the time she was old enough to realize everyone has to live their own life—even parents—she had the feeling she wanted to get away, to be on her own, to become completely independent.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_independence_desire">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=But%2C%20luckily%2C%20I%20was%20old%20enough%20to%20realize%20everyone%20has%20to%20live%20his%20or%20her%20own%20life%E2%80%94even%20parents.%20But%20I%20had%20this%20feeling%20I%20wanted%20to%20get%20away%2C%20to%20be%20on%20my%20own%2C%20to%20become%20completely%20independent|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| Belford was cast as [[w:George Peppard|George Peppard]]'s girlfriend in ''[[w:Banacek|Banacek]]'', appearing close to the series but fortunately not selected for every episode, which she felt gave her opportunities for other roles.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_banacek_role">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=I%20came%20pretty%20close%20to%20a%20series%2C%E2%80%9D%20Christine%20said%2C%20%E2%80%9Cwhen%20I%20was%20cast%20as%20George%20Peppard%27s%20girl%20friend%20in%20%E2%80%98Banacek|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She also appeared in a feature with George in "The Groundstar Conspiracy."<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_groundstar">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Christine%20has%20also%20done%20a%20feature%20with%20George%2C%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Groundstar%20Conspiracy|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | Her family discouraged idleness and she didn't grow up believing she would simply marry and be like Jackie.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_family_discouraged">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20her%20family%20discouraged%20idleness%20so%20she%20didn%27t%20grow%20up%20believing%20the%20notion%20that%20eventually%20she%20would%20marry%20and%20be%20like%20Jackie|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She grew up thinking in terms of a career, considering psychiatry, law, and writing, and always remained a good student.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_career_thinking">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20grew%20up%20thinking%20in%20terms%20of%20a%20career.%20She%20considered%20psychiatry%2C%20law%20and%20writing%20and%20had%20always%20been%20a%20good%20student|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> When she was 17, a friend suggested she should think of acting, which led her to pursue a career as an actress.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_friend_suggestion">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20when%20she%20was%2017%2C%20a%20friend%20suggested%20she%20should%20think%20of%20acting.%20So%20she%20became%20an%20actress|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| Belford guest-starred in many popular American television series since the 1970s, including ''[[w:Ironside (1967 TV series)|Ironside]]'', ''[[w:The Six Million Dollar Man|The Six Million Dollar Man]]'', ''[[w:The Incredible Hulk (1977 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', ''[[w:L.A. Law|L.A. Law]]'', and ''[[w:Night Court|Night Court]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_filmography">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | | Belford registered at [[w:Hofstra University|Hofstra University]] and met Joseph Leon, the teacher who was then running the school's drama department. Leon, who had been divorced for several years, became a second father to her.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_joseph_leon">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=registered%20at%20Hofstra%20University%20and%20met%20Joseph%20Leon%2C%20the%20teacher%20who%20was%20then%20running%20the%20school%27s%20drama%20department|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> However, despite doing well in the drama department and knowing she had definite acting talent, nobody around New York or Broadway seemed to recognize it.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_broadway_struggle">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20had%20been%20doing%20well%20in%20the%20drama%20department%20of%20Hofstra%20University%2C%20and%20I%20knew%20I%20had%20definite%20acting%20talent.%20The%20trouble%20was%2C%20nobody%20around%20New%20York%20or%20Broadway%20seemed%20to%20realize%20it|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| In 1978, Belford starred as policewoman Leba in the TV movie ''[[w:To Kill a Cop|To Kill a Cop]]'', which aired on [[w:NBC|NBC]]'s Monday and Tuesday night [[w:The Big Event (TV series)|The Big Event]] time slot (April 10-11, 9-11 p.m.).<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_to_kill_cop">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=her%20role%20in%20To%20Kill%20A%20Cop%20which%20will%20air%20in%20Birmingham%20Monday%20and%20Tuesday%20nights.%20The%20four%20hour%20drama%20is%20the%20story%20of%20a%20maverick%20New%20York%20police%20detective%27s%20efforts%20to%20stop%20a%20demented%20cop-killing%20revolutionary%20Joe%20Don%20Baker%20of%20Walking%20Tall%20fame%20and%20Emmy%20winner%20Louis%20Gossett%20Jr.%2C%20of%20Roots%2C%20are%20the%20stars%20of%20the%20show|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The four-hour drama told the story of a maverick New York police detective's efforts to stop a demented cop-killing revolutionary, with [[w:Joe Don Baker|Joe Don Baker]] of ''[[w:Walking Tall (1973 film)|Walking Tall]]'' fame and Emmy winner [[w:Louis Gossett Jr.|Louis Gossett Jr.]] of ''[[w:Roots (1977 miniseries)|Roots]]'' as the stars of the show.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_cast_stars">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=Joe%20Don%20Baker%20of%20Walking%20Tall%20fame%20and%20Emmy%20winner%20Louis%20Gossett%20Jr.%2C%20of%20Roots%2C%20are%20the%20stars%20of%20the%20show|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | | {{quote|In order to keep a roof over my head and to eat, I took any job I could find. I was a waitress, a bar maid, and I also drove an ice truck.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_survival_jobs">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20keep%20a%20roof%20over%20my%20head%20and%20to%20eat%2C%20I%20took%20any%20job%20I%20could%20find.%20I%20was%20a%20waitress%2C%20a%20bar%20maid%2C%20and%20I%20also%20drove%20an%20ice%20truck|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}} |
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| Discussing her preference for roles, Belford stated:
| | She later got a photographic modeling job, and around this time she gave up a chance for a top role in ''[[w:Hair (film)|Hair]]'' on [[w:Broadway theatre|Broadway]] to follow a man she was very much in love with to [[w:California|California]].<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_hair_broadway">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20gave%20up%20a%20chance%20for%20a%20top%20role%20in%20%27Hair%27%20on%20Broadway%20to%20follow%20a%20man%20I%20was%20very%20much%20in%20love%20with%20to%20California|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| {{quote|I like comedy very much, but then I don't like drama too. On a week to week basis I think comedy would probably be better. I used to like the Mary Tyler Moore Show and I still like All in the Family. I didn't like this one at first because I didn't like all the shouting.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_comedy_preference">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=I%20like%20comedy%20very%20much%2C%20but%20then%20I%20don%27t%20like%20drama%20too.%20On%20a%20week%20to%20week%20basis%20I%20think%20comedy%20would%20probably%20be%20better.%20I%20used%20to%20like%20the%20Mary%20Tyler%20Moore%20Show%20and%20I%20still%20like%20All%20in%20the%20Family.%20I%20didn%27t%20like%20this%20one%20at%20first%20because%20I%20didn%27t%20like%20all%20the%20shouting|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}} | | {{quote|I was so much in love with him, I didn't really care what happened to my career. At that time, feeling the way I did, I would have done the same thing Carrie did, given it all up for love.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_love_priority">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20was%20so%20much%20in%20love%20with%20him%2C%20I%20didn%27t%20really%20care%20what%20happened%20to%20my%20career.%20At%20that%20time%2C%20feeling%20the%20way%20I%20did%2C%20I%20would%20have%20done%20the%20same%20thing%20Carrie%20did%2C%20given%20it%20all%20up%20for%20love|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}} |
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| She had recurring roles in ''[[w:Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' and ''[[w:Beverly Hills, 90210|Beverly Hills, 90210]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_recurring_roles">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/#:~:text=Dynasty|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | == Career == |
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| After ''Battlestar Galactica'', Belford guest-starred in [[Glen A. Larson]]'s most successful TV series, ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', having previously appeared in minor roles for Larson's earlier shows such as ''[[w:Quincy, M.E.|Quincy, M.E.]]''<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_larson_shows">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/#:~:text=Magnum%2C%20P.I.|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | In California, Belford met her good friend [[w:Carrie Snodgress|Carrie Snodgress]], a star on the [[w:Universal Pictures|Universal Pictures]] lot.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_modeling_california">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=came%20to%20California.%20And%20met%20her%20good%20friend%2C%20Carrie|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Around 1970, Snodgress was taking acting-novice Christine around the studio introducing her to important people who might help her get started on a film career.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_carrie_introduction">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Two%20years%20ago%2C%20her%20friend%20Carrie%20Snodgress%2C%20a%20star%20on%20the%20Universal%20lot%2C%20was%20taking%20acting-novice%20Christine%20around%20the%20studio%20introducing%20her%20to%20important%20people|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Snodgress suggested she visit [[w:Monique James|Monique James]], head of Universal's [[w:Hollywood|Hollywood]] talent division.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_monique_james">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Carrie%20Snodgress%2C%20suggested%20a%20visit%20to%20Monique%20James%2C%20head%20of%20Universal%27s%20Hollywood%20talent%20division|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| In 1984, Belford shared a recipe in a celebrity cookbook feature, demonstrating her engagement with popular culture beyond acting.<ref group="external" name="blinn_philadelphia_cookbook">{{Cite news|title=Celebrity Cookbook|author=Johna Blinn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/174954448/#:~:text=Christine%20Belford|publisher=Philadelphia Daily News|date=January 18, 1984|page=88|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | {{quote|Monique is the one who really took me in hand and encouraged me and told me to keep on trying—that I really had it.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_monique_encouragement">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=Monique%20is%20the%20one%20who%20really%20took%20me%20in%20hand%20and%20encouraged%20me%20and%20told%20me%20to%20keep%20on%20trying%E2%80%94that%20I%20really%20had%20it|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}} |
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| By 1984, Belford had returned to her natural blonde hair color after years of dyeing it darker.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_blonde_hair">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Blonde%20back%20to%20natural|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She went back to being blonde to play the role of Ricky Schroder's mother on ''[[w:Silver Spoons|Silver Spoons]]'', continuing to appear on the [[w:NBC|NBC]] series from time to time.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_silver_spoons">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20went%20back%20to%20being%20a%20blonde%20to%20play%20the%20role%20of%20Ricky%20Schroder%27s%20mother%20on%20%E2%80%9CSilver%20Spoons.%E2%80%9D%20She%20still%20appears%20on%20the%20NBC%20series%20from%20time%20to%20time|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She also had a regular role on the new [[w:CBS|CBS]] series ''[[w:Empire (1984 TV series)|Empire]]'', stating it was her favorite role among all the roles she had done, possibly because it was a blonde roll.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_role">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20now%20she%27s%20a%20regular%20on%20the%20new%20CBS%20series%20%E2%80%9CEmpire.%E2%80%9D%20She%20says%20now%20that%20%E2%80%9CEmpire%E2%80%9D%20is%20her%20favorite%20role%20among%20all%20the%20roles%20she%20has%20ever%20done.%20Maybe%20it%20is%20because%20it%20is%20a%20blonde%20roll|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> In ''Empire'', Belford played Jackie, the wife of one of the executives ([[w:Richard Masur|Richard Masur]]), and there were some similarities between the actor and her character.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_jackie">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Miss%20Belford%20plays%20Jackie%2C%20the%20wife%20of%20one%20of%20the%20executives%20(Richard%20Masur).%20Jackie%20lives%20to%20go%20shopping%20and%20there%20are%20some%20similarities%20between%20the%20actor%20and%20her%20character|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The Wednesday night comedy was about life in a big corporation's executive suite.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_premise">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=The%20Wednesday%20night%20comedy%20is%20about%20life%20in%20a%20big%20corporation%27s%20executive%20suite|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | Thanks to James' mentorship, Belford started with a leading role with [[w:Paul Newman|Paul Newman]] in ''[[w:Pocket Money|Pocket Money]]''.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_pocket_money">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=I%20was%20able%20to%20start%20off%20with%20a%20leading%20role%20with%20Paul%20Newman%20in%20%27Pocket%20Money|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She then worked in ''[[w:The Carey Treatment|The Carey Treatment]]'', ''[[w:Marcus Welby, M.D.|Marcus Welby]]'', ''[[w:Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law|Owen Marshall]]'', and ''[[w:Ironside (1967 TV series)|Ironside]]''.<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_early_credits">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=%27I%27ve%20worked%20in%20%27Marcus%20Welby%2C%27%20%27Owen%20Marshall%2C%27%20%27Ironside|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| == Personal Life == | | In 1972, Belford was under a seven-year contract with Universal Pictures, the only studio in Hollywood still issuing such contracts thanks to television commitments.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_universal_contract">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=seven-year%20contract%20with%20Universal%20Pictures%2C%20the%20only%20studio%20in%20Hollywood%20still%20going%20full%20blast|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She appeared in ''[[w:The Groundstar Conspiracy|The Groundstar Conspiracy]]'' with [[w:George Peppard|George Peppard]] and [[w:Michael Sarrazin|Michael Sarrazin]] as her first feature film starring role,<ref group="external" name="manners_republican_early_credits_2">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Life Is One Big Smile|author=Dorothy Manners|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/republican-and-herald/3074768/#:~:text=%27The%20Groundstar%20Conspiracy%27%20is%20my%20first%20feature%20film%20starring%20role|publisher=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=August 3, 1972|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> and was cast as Peppard's girlfriend in ''[[w:Banacek|Banacek]]'', appearing in the series but not as a regular, which gave her opportunities for other roles.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_banacek_role">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=I%20came%20pretty%20close%20to%20a%20series%2C%E2%80%9D%20Christine%20said%2C%20%E2%80%9Cwhen%20I%20was%20cast%20as%20George%20Peppard%27s%20girl%20friend%20in%20%E2%80%98Banacek|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| Belford is married to actor [[w:Nicholas Pryor|Nicholas Pryor]].<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_obituary">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=Pryor%20is%20survived%20by%20his%20wife%2C%20actress%20Christine%20Belford|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Pryor passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 89.<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_death">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=Nicholas%20Pryor%2C%20the%20veteran%20character%20actor%20who%20over%20five%20decades%20appeared%20in%20everything%20from%20Port%20Charles%20to%20Beverly%20Hills%2C%2090210%20to%20Risky%20Business%2C%20died%20Monday%2C%20Oct.%207.%20He%20was%2089|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | | Throughout the 1970s, Belford guest-starred in many popular television series including ''[[w:The Six Million Dollar Man|The Six Million Dollar Man]]'', ''[[w:The Incredible Hulk (1977 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]'', and ''[[w:The Barbary Coast (TV series)|The Barbary Coast]]'', where she did five 90-minute episodes.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_past_experience">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=she%20did%20five%2090-minute%20shows%20in%20the%20Barbary%20Coast%20series|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| When interviewed in 1972, Belford was visiting her mother in New York and her acting teacher Joseph Leon, whom she credited as giving her professional experience at Monique James' studio during the interview.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_visiting_mother">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Whenever%20she%20comes%20to%20New%20York%20to%20visit%20her%20mother%2C%20Christine%20always%20tries%20to%20find%20time%20to%20see%20Joseph%20Leon|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | In 1978, Belford starred as policewoman Leba in the TV movie ''[[w:To Kill a Cop|To Kill a Cop]]'', which aired on [[w:NBC|NBC]]'s [[w:The Big Event (TV series)|The Big Event]] (April 10-11, 1978).<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_to_kill_cop">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=To%20Kill%20A%20Cop%20which%20will%20air%20in%20Birmingham%20Monday%20and%20Tuesday%20nights|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The four-hour drama starred [[w:Joe Don Baker|Joe Don Baker]] and [[w:Louis Gossett Jr.|Louis Gossett Jr.]], with Belford's character partnered with [[w:Desi Arnaz Jr.|Desi Arnaz Jr.]]'s character.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_cast_stars">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=Joe%20Don%20Baker%20of%20Walking%20Tall%20fame%20and%20Emmy%20winner%20Louis%20Gossett%20Jr.%2C%20of%20Roots|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| Belford's mother Mary Belford Malone passed away on May 2, 2010.<ref group="external" name="billings_gazette_mary_malone">{{Cite news|title=Mary Belford Malone|url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/obituaries/mary-belford-malone/article_81bdb9c2-5c29-11df-b62c-001cc4c002e0.html#:~:text=Mary%20Belford%20Malone|publisher=Billings Gazette|date=May 9, 2010|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her stepfather (or acting mentor who became like a father) Joseph Riley passed away on February 3, 2012.<ref group="external" name="capital_riley_obituary">{{Cite news|title=Joseph Riley's Obituary|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/capitalgazette/name/joseph-riley-obituary?id=2661681#:~:text=Joseph%20Riley|publisher=The Capital|date=February 9, 2012|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
| | {{quote|I like comedy very much, but then I don't like drama too. On a week to week basis I think comedy would probably be better. I used to like the Mary Tyler Moore Show and I still like All in the Family.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_comedy_preference">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=I%20like%20comedy%20very%20much%2C%20but%20then%20I%20don%27t%20like%20drama%20too|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}} |
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| == References == | | After ''Battlestar Galactica'', Belford continued guest-starring in television series including [[Glen A. Larson]]'s ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'' and ''[[w:Quincy, M.E.|Quincy, M.E.]]'', as well as ''[[w:L.A. Law|L.A. Law]]'' and ''[[w:Night Court|Night Court]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_filmography">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She had recurring roles in ''[[w:Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' and ''[[w:Beverly Hills, 90210|Beverly Hills, 90210]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_recurring_roles">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/#:~:text=Dynasty|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| === External Sources ===
| | By 1984, Belford had returned to her natural blonde hair color to play [[w:Ricky Schroder|Ricky Schroder]]'s mother on ''[[w:Silver Spoons|Silver Spoons]]'', appearing on the NBC series from time to time.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_silver_spoons">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=play%20the%20role%20of%20Ricky%20Schroder%27s%20mother%20on%20%E2%80%9CSilver%20Spoons|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She also had a regular role on the [[w:CBS|CBS]] series ''[[w:Empire (1984 TV series)|Empire]]'', playing Jackie, the wife of an executive ([[w:Richard Masur|Richard Masur]]) in the Wednesday night comedy about corporate life.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_role">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=regular%20on%20the%20new%20CBS%20series%20%E2%80%9CEmpire|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
| {{reflist|group=external}}
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| == External Links ==
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| {{Ext-wikipedia|Christine Belford}}
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| [[Category:A to Z]]
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| [[Category:Cast]]
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| {{indicator|TOS}}[[Category:TOS]]
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| The interview took place at the exclusive [[w:Century Plaza Hotel|Century Plaza Hotel]] in Los Angeles.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_interview_location">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=This%20was%20Christine%20Belford.%20The%20place%20was%20the%20exclusive%20Century%20Plaza%20Hotel%20in%20Los%20Angeles|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> During the interview, Belford was described as a tall, brown-haired beauty who pulled her chair close to the ashtray, sat down and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply and then blowing the smoke high in the air.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_smoking_description">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=And%20the%20tall%2C%20brown-haired%20beauty%20did%20just%20that.%20She%20pulled%20the%20chair%20over%20close%20to%20the%20ashtray%2C%20sat%20down%20and%20lit%20a%20cigarette%2C%20inhaling%20deeply%20and%20then%20blowing%20the%20smoke%20high%20in%20the%20air|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| {{quote|I don't love smoking the way I used to. But sometimes I just have to have one. I've been smoking since I was about 12 years old. I'm quitting next Friday, because that's my birthday, my 29th birthday.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_smoking_quitting">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=I%20don%27t%20love%20smoking%20the%20way%20I%20used%20to.%20But%20sometimes%20I%20just%20have%20to%20have%20one.%20I%27ve%20been%20smoking%20since%20I%20was%20about%2012%20years%20old.%20I%27m%20quitting%20next%20Friday%2C%20because%20that%27s%20my%20birthday%2C%20my%2029th%20birthday|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
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| Her eyes danced teasingly, noting she was not saying how many 29th birthdays she was going to have.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_29th_birthdays">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=Mind%20you%2C%20I%27m%20not%20saying%20how%20many%2029th%20birthdays%20I%27m%20going%20to%20have|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| When asked about the movie causing problems with her husband at home, Belford responded:
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| {{quote|I'm married, you know, in the movie, and this causes a few problems. There's one scene with my husband at home. The viewers will get the picture of his point of view about his wife who has worked with the police department for six years in administration and then goes out on the streets.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_movie_marriage">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=I%27m%20married%2C%20you%20know%2C%20in%20the%20movie%2C%20and%20this%20causes%20a%20few%20problems.%20There%27s%20one%20scene%20with%20my%20husband%20at%20home.%20The%20viewers%20will%20get%20the%20picture%20of%20his%20point%20of%20view%20about%20his%20wife%20who%20has%20worked%20with%20the%20police%20department%20for%20six%20years%20in%20administration%20and%20then%20goes%20out%20on%20the%20streets|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
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| Regarding the difference between the movie and the book it was based on, Belford explained that the characters have been cleaned up a bit in the film, making them more appealing in the movie than in the book.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_book_vs_movie">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=The%20characters%20have%20been%20cleaned%20up%20a%20bit%20in%20the%20film.%20They%27re%20more%20appealing%20in%20the%20movie%20than%20they%20are%20in%20the%20book|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> About her role becoming deeply involved with beat cops, she stated it's more of a kind of coded entertainment rather than uplifting or character-building.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_moralistic_story">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=No!%20I%20don%27t%20think%20this%20is%20a%20moralistic%20story...%20It%27s%20more%20of%20a%20kind%20of%20coded%20entertainment%20rather%20than%20uplifting%20or%20character-building|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Discussing her past experience in entertainment, she noted that she did five 90-minute shows in ''[[w:The Barbary Coast (TV series)|The Barbary Coast]]'' series, had been in a whole host of pilots, and every pilot seemed to be a hit but would slow right now, noting there's not much in the way of pilots to do because the people for the pilots have already been picked.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_past_experience">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=Asked%20about%20her%20past%20experience%20in%20entertainment%20she%20noted%20that%20she%20did%20five%2090-minute%20shows%20in%20the%20Barbary%20Coast%20series.%20%E2%80%9CAnd%20I%27ve%20been%20in%20a%20whole%20host%20of%20pilots.%20Everytime%20it%20seemed%20to%20be%20a%20hit%20but%20slow%20right%20now|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Comparing television to film, she stated:
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| {{quote|It took us two months to film the picture and four and a half hours on the television screen. I've read the book and I think the picture, in a lot of ways, is very different. The characters have been cleaned up a bit in the film.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_filming_time">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=IT%20TOOK%20US%20two%20months%20to%20film%20the%20picture%20and%20four%20and%20a%20half%20hours%20on%20the%20television%20screen.%20I%27ve%20read%20the%20book%20and%20I%20think%20the%20picture%2C%20in%20a%20lot%20of%20ways%2C%20is%20very%20different|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
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| Belford explained that the real characters in the story are real people, stating it was a very good script and thought there was a lot revealed in just a few words.<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_real_characters">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=The%20characters%20in%20the%20story%20are%20real%20people.%20It%20was%20a%20very%20good%20script.%20I%20think%20you%27ll%20see%20that%20there%27s%20a%20lot%20revealed%20in%20just%20a%20few%20words|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> When asked whether she was involved with anyone seriously in real life, she thought for a moment and then decided to answer, responding "YEAH. I'VE BEEN with someone for the past couple of years."<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_relationship_1978">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=Is%20she%20self-conscious%20about%20police%20car%20together.%20How%20about%20Christine%20Belford%3F%20Is%20she%20involved%20with%20anyone%20seriously%20in%20real%20life%3F%20I%20too%20am%20crazy%20about%20the%20question.%20That%20was%20evident.%20She%20thought%20for%20a%20moment%20and%20then%20decided%20to%20answer%20it.%20%E2%80%9CYEAH.%20I%27VE%20BEEN%20with%20someone%20for%20the%20past%20couple%20of%20years|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| When asked about her next birthday, she responded:
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| {{quote|No, I don't think so. This age seems to be the beginning of change. I've grown up. It sounded pretty old back when I was 12, I guess. But then, when I was 14, I mean, I could have gone into any bar and gotten a drink anytime I wanted to. I've been looking a lot older for a long time.|Christine Belford<ref group="external" name="washburn_birmingham_looking_older">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford stars as policewoman on TV|author=Dennis Washburn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-birmingham-news-christine-belford-st/173264513/#:~:text=No%2C%20I%20don%27t%20think%20so.%20This%20age%20seems%20to%20be%20the%20beginning%20of%20change.%20I%27ve%20grown%20up.%20It%20sounded%20pretty%20old%20back%20when%20I%20was%2012%2C%20I%20guess.%20But%20then%2C%20when%20I%20was%2014%2C%20I%20mean%2C%20I%20could%20have%20gone%20into%20any%20bar%20and%20gotten%20a%20drink%20anytime%20I%20wanted%20to.%20I%27ve%20been%20looking%20a%20lot%20older%20for%20a%20long%20time|publisher=The Birmingham News|date=April 7, 1978|page=22|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>}}
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| She had recurring roles in ''[[w:Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' and ''[[w:Beverly Hills, 90210|Beverly Hills, 90210]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_recurring_roles">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/#:~:text=Dynasty|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| After ''Battlestar Galactica'', Belford guest-starred in [[Glen A. Larson]]'s most successful TV series, ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', having previously appeared in minor roles for Larson's earlier shows such as ''[[w:Quincy, M.E.|Quincy, M.E.]]''<ref group="external" name="imdb_belford_larson_shows">{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067785/#:~:text=Magnum%2C%20P.I.|title=Christine Belford|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| In 1984, Belford shared a recipe in a celebrity cookbook feature, demonstrating her engagement with popular culture beyond acting.<ref group="external" name="blinn_philadelphia_cookbook">{{Cite news|title=Celebrity Cookbook|author=Johna Blinn|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/174954448/#:~:text=Christine%20Belford|publisher=Philadelphia Daily News|date=January 18, 1984|page=88|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| By 1984, Belford had returned to her natural blonde hair color after years of dyeing it darker.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_blonde_hair">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Blonde%20back%20to%20natural|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She went back to being blonde to play the role of [[w:Ricky Schroder|Ricky Schroder]]'s mother on ''[[w:Silver Spoons|Silver Spoons]]'', continuing to appear on the [[w:NBC|NBC]] series from time to time.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_silver_spoons">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=She%20went%20back%20to%20being%20a%20blonde%20to%20play%20the%20role%20of%20Ricky%20Schroder%27s%20mother%20on%20%E2%80%9CSilver%20Spoons.%E2%80%9D%20She%20still%20appears%20on%20the%20NBC%20series%20from%20time%20to%20time|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> She also had a regular role on the new [[w:CBS|CBS]] series ''[[w:Empire (1984 TV series)|Empire]]'', stating it was her favorite role among all the roles she had done, possibly because it was a blonde roll.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_role">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=But%20now%20she%27s%20a%20regular%20on%20the%20new%20CBS%20series%20%E2%80%9CEmpire.%E2%80%9D%20She%20says%20now%20that%20%E2%80%9CEmpire%E2%80%9D%20is%20her%20favorite%20role%20among%20all%20the%20roles%20she%20has%20ever%20done.%20Maybe%20it%20is%20because%20it%20is%20a%20blonde%20roll|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> In ''Empire'', Belford played Jackie, the wife of one of the executives ([[w:Richard Masur|Richard Masur]]), and there were some similarities between the actor and her character.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_jackie">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=Miss%20Belford%20plays%20Jackie%2C%20the%20wife%20of%20one%20of%20the%20executives%20(Richard%20Masur).%20Jackie%20lives%20to%20go%20shopping%20and%20there%20are%20some%20similarities%20between%20the%20actor%20and%20her%20character|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> The Wednesday night comedy was about life in a big corporation's executive suite.<ref group="external" name="king_indexjournal_empire_premise">{{Cite news|title=Blonde back to natural|author=Richard King|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-index-journal/3074601/#:~:text=The%20Wednesday%20night%20comedy%20is%20about%20life%20in%20a%20big%20corporation%27s%20executive%20suite|publisher=The Index-Journal|location=Greenwood, South Carolina|date=January 19, 1984|page=7|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | |
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| == Personal Life == | | == Personal Life == |
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| Belford is married to actor [[w:Nicholas Pryor|Nicholas Pryor]].<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_obituary">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=Pryor%20is%20survived%20by%20his%20wife%2C%20actress%20Christine%20Belford|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Pryor passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 89.<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_death">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=Nicholas%20Pryor%2C%20the%20veteran%20character%20actor%20who%20over%20five%20decades%20appeared%20in%20everything%20from%20Port%20Charles%20to%20Beverly%20Hills%2C%2090210%20to%20Risky%20Business%2C%20died%20Monday%2C%20Oct.%207.%20He%20was%2089|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | | Belford is married to actor [[w:Nicholas Pryor|Nicholas Pryor]].<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_obituary">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=Pryor%20is%20survived%20by%20his%20wife%2C%20actress%20Christine%20Belford|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Pryor passed away on October 7, 2024, at the age of 89.<ref group="external" name="mitovich_tvline_pryor_death">{{Cite web|title=Nicholas Pryor, of Port Charles, 90210 and Risky Business, Dead at 89: 'He Was an Actor's Actor'|author=Matt Webb Mitovich|url=https://tvline.com/news/nicholas-pryor-dead-port-charles-beverly-hills-90210-1235171042/#:~:text=died%20Monday%2C%20Oct.%207.%20He%20was%2089|publisher=TVLine|date=October 7, 2024|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
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| When interviewed in 1972, Belford was visiting her mother in New York and her acting teacher Joseph Leon, whom she credited as giving her professional experience at Monique James' studio during the interview.<ref group="external" name="pack_sarasota_visiting_mother">{{Cite news|title=Christine Belford: Starlet of '72|author=Harvey Pack|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19720702&id=D7EqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k2YEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4450,685971#:~:text=Whenever%20she%20comes%20to%20New%20York%20to%20visit%20her%20mother%2C%20Christine%20always%20tries%20to%20find%20time%20to%20see%20Joseph%20Leon|publisher=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=July 2, 1972|page=13|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref>
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| Belford's mother Mary Belford Malone passed away on May 2, 2010.<ref group="external" name="billings_gazette_mary_malone">{{Cite news|title=Mary Belford Malone|url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/obituaries/mary-belford-malone/article_81bdb9c2-5c29-11df-b62c-001cc4c002e0.html#:~:text=Mary%20Belford%20Malone|publisher=Billings Gazette|date=May 9, 2010|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her stepfather (or acting mentor who became like a father) Joseph Riley passed away on February 3, 2012.<ref group="external" name="capital_riley_obituary">{{Cite news|title=Joseph Riley's Obituary|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/capitalgazette/name/joseph-riley-obituary?id=2661681#:~:text=Joseph%20Riley|publisher=The Capital|date=February 9, 2012|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> | | Belford's mother Mary Belford Malone passed away on May 2, 2010.<ref group="external" name="billings_gazette_mary_malone">{{Cite news|title=Mary Belford Malone|url=https://billingsgazette.com/news/local/obituaries/mary-belford-malone/article_81bdb9c2-5c29-11df-b62c-001cc4c002e0.html#:~:text=Mary%20Belford%20Malone|publisher=Billings Gazette|date=May 9, 2010|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> Her stepfather (or acting mentor who became like a father) Joseph Riley passed away on February 3, 2012.<ref group="external" name="capital_riley_obituary">{{Cite news|title=Joseph Riley's Obituary|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/capitalgazette/name/joseph-riley-obituary?id=2661681#:~:text=Joseph%20Riley|publisher=The Capital|date=February 9, 2012|accessdate=January 11, 2026}}</ref> |
USA
