Sybil Jason Graced Studio City, Dies at 83

Actress Sybil Jason, who was one of the longtime pioneers of Studio City when she settled in the area in the 1950s, died at the age of 83.

She helped create the area as a destination spot for stars who wanted to get away from the bustle of the city over the hill.

Jason was known as child actress who appeared with Shirley Temple in “The Little Princess” (1939) and “The Blue Bird” (1940). The two child actresses remained friends all their lives, said Jason’s daughter Toni Rossi. Jason died at Rossi's home in Northridge in August.

Jason’s cherubic wholesomeness was discovered in her hometown of Cape Town, South Africa where she was born on Nov. 23, 1927.  She danced and did impressions and landed a role in Barnacle Bill.

Jason married radio writer Anthony Drake in 1947, and they soon moved to Studio City where celebrities flocked as a quiet getaway.  Drake died in 2005.

She continued to sign autographs and make appearances at nostalgia movie conventions, especially at the Beverly Garland Hotel in Studio City and Cinecon in Hollywood.

 (EDITOR'S NOTE: It was a delight to hear Sybil talk about the area and what has changed and hasn't. She came to speak a few times to my classes at UCLA and I knew her husband, Tony, as well.)