JILL IRELAND

1936-1990

"This Side of Paradise"

          If she could tame the heart of actor and a man's man, Charles Bronson, what more needs to be said?  Plenty, she was a superb and tender actress, holding her own in many a Bronson flick.  She appeared several times in "The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and was a veteran actress apart from her husband.  Her screen time in "This Side of Paradise" is small.  Her presence in the episode is huge.  Spock was the only man she had ever loved, their parting was bittersweet for we know that Spock can show no emotions.   Reunited on the planet infested with spores that give humanoids a feeling of euphoria, Spock is now in serious touch with his emotions and their love blooms.  Captain Kirk comes to a brutal rescue and cures Spock and the others from the virus of the spores.  Spock now must tell the only woman he has ever experienced and expressed emotion with, perhaps the only woman he had ever loved, that he is back to his emotionless and logical self.  The love affair that had waited for years came to a dramatic end. The scene that follows is perhaps the most tender moment in the history of television.  It is an unforgettable scene and a gripping performance by Miss Ireland.  If Jill Ireland did not get at least nominated for an Emmy, it is a travesty to the entire free world.  We are honored to salute such a performance here and send best wishes to her family and beyond.