Frances Sternhagen, Tony-Winning and Emmy-Nominated Actress from “Cheers ”and“ Sex and the City,” Dead at 93
"The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived," Sternhagen’s son John Carlin said of his mother, who died on Monday due to natural causes
Frances Sternhagen, the award-winning actress best known for her roles on Cheers and Sex and the City, has died. She was 93.
The late star’s family announced the news of her death in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear mother, actress Frances Sternhagen, died peacefully of natural causes in New Rochelle, NY, on November 27th, 2023 at the age of 93,” the family shared.
“She is survived by her 6 children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. A celebration of her remarkable career and life is planned for mid January, near her 94th birthday,” the statement continued. “We continue to be inspired by her love and life.”
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Her son John Carlin also paid tribute to his mother two days after her death on Instagram.
“Frannie. Mom. Frances Sternhagen. On Monday night, Nov 27, she died peacefully at her home, a month and a half shy of her 94th birthday,” he wrote alongside several throwback photos of his mother. “I will post more soon, but for now I just want to give thanks for the remarkable gift of an artist and human being that was Frances Sternhagen.”
“She was beloved by many. I'm very lucky I was able to call her my mom, my friend, my song and dance partner,” he continued. “We were together last week, and we spoke Monday afternoon, said how much we loved and missed one another.”
Carlin shared that he plans to pay tribute to mother by performing in London this weekend.
“I was about to board a plane for London when I got the news, and am there now,” he shared. “Set to perform some new songs (one of which was inspired by her) this weekend. She always encouraged my writing, and enjoyed my singing. I’ll fly back very early the next day.”
He concluded his message, “Fly on, Frannie. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived. 🙏🏻❤️”
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On television, Sternhagen was known for her memorable roles as overbearing matriarchs. She starred as the grandmother of Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) on ER and Cliff (John Ratzenberger)'s mother Esther Clavin on Cheers, which earned her two Emmy nominations.
She later played Bunny MacDougal, the shrewd mother of Trey (Kyle MacLachlan), on Sex and the City, for which she received a third Emmy nomination. She also took on the role of Brenda Leigh Johnson’s (Kyra Sedgwick) mother on The Closer.
In 2002, Sternhagen opened up to the Los Angeles Times about playing these roles, saying, “I must say it’s fun to play these snobby older ladies. It’s always more fun to be obnoxious. I have known women like that, and I can imitate them, I guess.”
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For her work on Broadway, Sternhagen received two Tony Awards for her performances in Neil Simon’s The Good Doctor (1974) and Augustus Goetz’s The Heiress (1995). She also received Tony nominations for her work in the 1972 production of The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window (1972), Equus (1975), Angel (1978), On Golden Pond (1979), and Morning’s at Seven (2002).
In 2005, she returned to Broadway in Steel Magnolias as Clairee as well as Edward Albee’s Seascape.
On the big screen, she appeared in Outland, Misery, Julie and Julia, Starting Over, Independence Day, Doc Hollywood and And So It Goes.
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She is survived by children Paul, Amanda, Tony, Sarah, Peter and John as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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