Leslie Brockett-Wohlfarth set up the Don Brockett Memorial Scholarship Fund in 1995 after the death of her famous actor husband.  “And the funny part was that Don never had enormous respect for academia,” she said with a laugh. “But he did have it for kids who were trying so hard to learn in college while struggling financially.”

She sends out one appeal letter a year at Christmas time and usually gets between $7,000 and $9,000 in donations for the fund.  Each year, she’s able to give a student between $5,000 and $6,000 for their education expenses.  Mrs. Brockett-Wohlfarth has given to students at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and Point Park University. She’s leaning more toward Point Park because she gets a better response of applications, usually between six and 10. 

“I have a group of friends who all receive copies of the applications,” she said. “They go over them, and I ask for their choices.  The Pittsburgh Foundation answers all of my questions.  I really am very, very fond of the people there. They take care of notifying the winner.

“And the kids are so appreciative. Often we get wonderful thank-you letters from these kids.  It’s very rewarding.  As long as there’s money there, we’re going to continue.  And the Pittsburgh Foundation invests very wisely, so it’s growing.  And that’s wonderful to see.” 

Don Brockett, whose many film credits include Flashdance and Silence of the Lambs, was well known as giving many young actors their start in his local shows.  “It’s fascinating to see the success of some of these kids – Robbie Marshall and his sister Kathleen – they both started with Don.  And there are a lot of other performers without those identifiable names who have gone on to Broadway and the movies from their training with Don. That’s why I think the scholarship fund is a good thing to remember Don by.”