Dayle Haddon, who modeled for decades while also maintaining a dual career as an actress, has died at 76.
Haddon, who had starred on screen with Nick Nolte at the height of her career, died as a result of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, NBC10 in Philadelphia reported on Friday.
The Bucks County emergency dispatch reportedly got a call around 6:30 a.m. that day after a man was spotted lying passed out on the floor of a detached in-law suite in Solebury Township, Pennsylvania.
First responders also discovered an unresponsive woman in a second-floor bedroom of the home, who was later identified as Haddon.
The man, who’s identity has not yet been revealed, was rushed to a hospital, but Haddon was pronounced dead at the scene after first responders attempted to revive her.
Police told ABC6 that fumes from a faulty boiler may have been responsible for the deadly carbon monoxide levels.
The model and actress Dayle Haddon has died at 76 after a suspected carbon monoxide leak, NBC10 in Philadelphia reported; seen in 2016 in NYC
Haddon was a ground-breaking model who worked well into her senior years, blazing a trail for other aging models. She also had a successful acting career, particularly in the ’70s and ’80s; pictured in 1986
‘It is believed a heating unit, a boiler unit, is the source of the carbon monoxide. The initial readings on EMS and fire company arrival were extremely high, so we’re treating this as a carbon monoxide poisoning incident,’ Detective Sergeant Jonathan Koretzky of the Solebury Township Police Department said.
The main house on the property was reportedly not affected by the alleged gas leak.
The home was apparently still dangerous to first responders, as two paramedics were reportedly taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure, while a police officer was treated at the scene. All three are reportedly in stable condition.
Police are reportedly still investigating the circumstances of Haddon’s death.
Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because of its reputation as a silent killer. The toxic gas is invisible and has no odor or taste, making it difficult to detect.
Carbon monoxide exposure can initially cause headache, fatigue and dizziness, and some people exposed to smaller amounts over time may confuse it with a feverless flu. It can also cause nausea and difficulty breathing, as well as confusion and drowsiness, which are particularly dangerous risk factors, as they increase the likelihood that someone may fall asleep or pass out before escaping the leak.
Carbon monoxide is released when fuels are burned, and it is particularly common in the winter when heating elements malfunction.
In addition to being a star of the screen and catwalk in her own right, Haddon was the mother of journalist Ryan Haddon, who is married to the actor Marc Blucas.
Police said a faulty boiler unit was believed to have leaked carbon monoxide into the detached in-law suite where Haddon was, though the main unit was unaffected; seen in 2016 in NYC
A resident called 911 after a man was seen lying passed out on the ground. He was rushed to a hospital, but a woman — later identified as Haddon — was found unresponsive in the second-floor bedroom and declared dead at the scene after CPR attempts; seen in 2012 in NYC
Haddon is the mother-in-law of actor Marc Blucas (L). He married her daughter, journalist Ryan Haddon, in 2009, and they share two children. Marc and Ryan own the home where Haddon was found dead, according to home records; seen with Michael Katleman in 2019
Haddon’s daughter Ryan (L) and Marc (R) own the home that she was found dead at, according to home records, via NBC10. Blucas revealed they had been renovating the home in an interview with Hallmark
Haddon had worked on television news programs including Good Morning America, Extra! and PBS NewsHour.
Blucas is known for playing Riley Finn on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and starring in the USA series Necessary Roughness from 2011 to 2013. More recently, he had become a regular star in Hallmark TV movies
Home records, via NBC10, indicate that Blucas and his wife own the home where her mother’s body was discovered.
In an interview with Hallmark shared by the station, Blucas spoke about renovating the home, which was built back in the 18th century.
‘It’s a way to kind of stay creatively stimulated when I’m not out filming and working,’ he said.
Haddon’s heyday as a supermodel was in the 1970s and ’80s, but she continued to model well into her 70s, and she was featured in Vogue as recently as August of 2024.
She covered the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1973, and she appeared on Harper’s Bazaar’s Ten Most Beautiful Women list twice.
Haddon — who was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1948 — was a popular face for cosmetics and skincare brands including Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, Max Factor and Revlon.
Haddon’s heyday as a supermodel was in the 1970s and ’80s, but she continued to model well into her 70s, and she was featured in Vogue as recently as August of 2024; pictured in The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973)
Haddon, who was fluent in French and English, appeared in several American films in the 1970s, including Disney’s The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973) opposite Jan-Michael Vincent (R, pictured in 1973)
Haddon, who was fluent in French and English, appeared in several American films in the 1970s, including the Disney film The World’s Greatest Athlete (1973) opposite Jan-Michael Vincent, but after a move to Europe later in the decade she primarily appeared in English- and French-language films made outside of America, though she still occasionally took on small supporting roles in American films.
She appeared on screen with Nick Nolte in 1979’s North Dallas Forty, and in Albert Pyun’s 1989 sci-fi/action film Cyborg, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Two of her finals were involved small parts in Woody Allen films, including 1994’s acclaimed Bullets Over Broadway and 1998’s Celebrity.
Later in life, Haddon turned her focus toward activism. She served as a UNICEF ambassador and also founded the non-profit WomenONe, which aims to promote education for girls and women.
