LAMAMIMET

Judith "Judy" Sheldon was the daughter of acclaimed director William Wyler, best known for classics such as Roman Holiday and Ben‑Hur, and his wife Margaret "Talli" Tallichet. Growing up in a Hollywood family, she became deeply involved in preserving and promoting cinema history.

For nearly three decades she served as chairman of the board of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, helping to raise the profile of silent-era works and supporting scholars, filmmakers, and audiences interested in early film art. Her dedication made her a respected figure in the cultural community of the Bay Area.

On June 15, 2026, Judy, then 84, and her husband Wylie Sheldon, 86, were found unresponsive inside a running Jeep Compass on a highway near Redding, California. Authorities pronounced both dead at the scene, noting the deaths appeared medically related and pending further investigation. Her passing was mourned by the festival and the broader arts community, which remembered her as a devoted supporter of film heritage.