Frances Sternhagen, a veteran character actor who won two Tony Awards and became a familiar maternal face to TV viewers in her shows such as 'Cheers,' 'ER,' 'Sex and the City' and 'The Closer,' has died at 93 on Monday.
She was nominated for Tony Awards four times in her roles in 'The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window,' 'Equus,' 'Angel,' and 'Morning's at Seven.'
Sternhagen Dies at 93
John Carlin, Sternhagen's son, revealed that his mother died peacefully of natural causes. On Wednesday, he wrote on his Instagram, "Fly on, Frannie," and he added that the curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly, and generously lived.
Sternhagen's publicist also announced that her death occurred in New Rochelle, New York. Playwright Paul Rudnick expressed his grief on X, formerly Twitter, and said that Sternhagen was a wonderful actress, capable of the highest comedy and profoundly moving drama on Wednesday.
Actor Thomas A. Carlin was her husband, who met in a production in Maryland and later died of heart failure in 1991. Sternhagen and Carlin had four sons named Paul, Tony, Peter, and John, and two daughters, Amanda and Sarah. Furthermore, she was also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Her family said there would be a celebration of her remarkable career and life, which was planned for mid-January, near her 94th birthday. They said that they were inspired by her love and life.
Sternhagen's Acting Career
In 1974, Sternhagen won a Tony Award for best featured actress in a play for her role in Neil Simon's 'The Good Doctor' and a second one in 1995 for a revival of 'The Heiress.' Her last show on Broadway was in 'Seascape' in 2005.
Sternhagen told the Daily Breeze of Torrance, California, in 2002 that she had been very fortunate and thought it was because she was considered a character actor who could do various things without limit to playing herself.
Associated Press drama critic Michael Kuchwara said in a 2005 review of 'Steel Magnolias,' that Sternhagen was one of the treasures of New York theater who could invest any role she played with considerable sympathy.
Sternhagen was also a mother to six children while her career flourished, but she believed that family comes first. However, she admitted that touring and movie and TV work sometimes took her away from home.
Her role in 'ER' as a wealthy grandmother of Dr. John Carter brought her two Emmy nominations. Her recurring role in 'Sex and the City' as Bunny MacDougal brought her third Emmy nomination.
She said that it has always been fun to play these snobby older ladies, and she has known women like that and said she could imitate them. Sternhagen was born in 1930 in Washington, DC. She loved to perform since childhood but never considered an acting career.
She studied in Vassar as a history major, but a teacher suggested that she do acting. She taught drama, modern dance, and singing outside Boston and decided to pursue work in the theater after her graduation.
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