- Born
- Birth nameSonya Jean Wilde
- Height5′ 4″ (1.63 m)
- Sonya Wilde was born on November 2, 1937 in Buncombe County, North Carolina, USA. She is an actress, known for I Passed for White (1960), Gunslinger (1961) and The Americans (1961). She was previously married to Jacob Franklin Butcher.
- SpouseJacob Franklin Butcher(April 6, 1962 - October 5, 1989) (divorced, 4 children)
- Although best known for playing an African American in the movie 'I Passed For White' she mostly played Native Americans on television Westerns, including Bonanza.
- Her grandfather was full-blooded Cherokee.
- Born in Asheville, NC, her family moved to Oak Ridge, TN, in 1945. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1955 and then studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. In 1956, she was crowned Miss Oak Ridge.
- After West Side Story completed its Broadway run in 1959 and went on the road, Wilde took over the role of Maria from Carol Lawrence with Larry Kert continuing his role as Tony. Wilde had been Miss Lawrence's understudy.
- Wilde had four children with husband Jake Butcher.
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