Paula Shaw dead: Dolly Parton co-star and Hallmark movie actress dies aged 84

Legendary actress Paula Shaw, who secured her place in horror film folklore by stepping into the role of Pamela Vorhees, Jason's mother, in Freddy vs. Jason after replacing Betsy Palmer, has died at the age of 84.

The beloved star died peacefully in her sleep at her Vancouver home following a lengthy battle with illness. Her death was announced on the website for her acting workshops, The Max with Paula Shaw.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce Paula passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 morning at 9:00 am. Paula touched countless lives through The MAX, the Mastery, and her transformational work," the statement began.

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"Her legacy lives on in the communities she created and the lives she changed.", reports the Express. Shaw was also celebrated for her appearances in numerous Hallmark festive films.

Her Hallmark colleague Julie Sherman Wolfe shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram after learning of the tragic news. "So sad to hear about Paula Shaw's passing. We often chatted on Facetime after she filmed Hanukkah on Rye, mostly about our shared heritage (and trying to figure out if we were related! ) We never found out, but it didn't matter. She will always be one of my honorary bubbies," she wrote.

Devastated fans quickly flooded social media with touching tributes as word of her death spread. "I just found out that Paula Shaw has passed. Few days ago I believe. Im SO sad...I absolutely loved her in all her movies," one wrote.

"This is so sad. Paula was a great actress. Picture a Perfect Christmas was one of the best. May she rest in peace," another added. "I loved her in all the Hallmark movies she played in, what a loss to Hallmark. Prayers to her entire family and may she rest in peace," one fan wrote.

"Aww, I'm so sorry to hear this. She was so loved in all her movies. Prayers for the family and all friendsm" another shared. "Absolutely loved her in anything she was in. A great actress. Drama. Comedy. She was great at it all. Will sadly miss her and please replay all her movies. Rest in peace Paula. What a gem! Condolences to her family," a third fan expressed.

Meanwhile, another said: "Awww so sad. May she Rest In Peace. Loved her in all the movies she was in. She was a classic lady."

Throughout her six-decade career as a member of the legendary Actor's Studio, she had many memorable roles. On TV in the 1970s, she appeared on shows including The Bob Newhart Show, Starsky & Hutch, Barney Miller, Three's Company, Lou Grant and Ironside.

Decades later, she would have roles in shows such as 21 Jump Street, The X-Files, The Commish, Terminal City, Supernatural and Van Helsing.

In 1982, she starred opposite Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds playing Wulla Jean, the original owner of the Chicken Ranch, in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

She also played a coroner in Christopher Nolan's Insomnia in 2002 opposite Al Pacino. A year later, she landed the role that turned her into a horror icon when she played Jason's mother Pamela Voorhees in Freddy vs Jason.

On the Hallmark channel, she took on the role of Charlotte Jeffers, playing the mother to Andie MacDowell's character in the first season of Cedar Cove back in 2013. She then became a familiar face in many of the channel's beloved holiday films, featuring in Hanukkah on Rye, Hitched for the Holidays, Picture a Perfect Christmas, A Mrs. Miracle Christmas and Round and Round.

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