Sitcom Actresses who Passed Away

Television has a way of making us feel like the characters on our favorite sitcoms are members of our own families. We grow up with these talented women and watch them navigate life through laughter and occasional tears. Over the years we have lost many of the leading ladies who defined comedy and set the standard for future generations. This list remembers some of the most influential sitcom actresses who have passed away while leaving behind a legacy of iconic performances.

Betty White

Betty White had a career that lasted for over eight decades and earned her several Emmy Awards. She is widely remembered for playing the sweet Rose Nylund on ‘The Golden Girls’ as well as the sharp Sue Ann Nivens on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’. Later in life she entertained audiences as Elka Ostrovsky in ‘Hot in Cleveland’ and hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’. She worked right up until the end and died just before reaching her milestone one hundredth birthday.

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball is often called the queen of comedy because of her groundbreaking work in the early days of television. She starred as Lucy Ricardo in ‘I Love Lucy’ which featured her real life husband and became a massive hit. Her physical comedy and business sense changed the industry forever through her production company. She continued to lead sitcoms with ‘The Lucy Show’ and ‘Here’s Lucy’ throughout the following decades.

Mary Tyler Moore

Mary Tyler Moore became a fashion icon and a feminist symbol through her roles in iconic sitcoms. She first rose to fame as Laura Petrie on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ where she played a suburban housewife. Later she starred in her own series titled ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ as an independent career woman in a newsroom. Her production company produced many other successful series and helped shape the landscape of television.

Bea Arthur

Bea Arthur was known for her deep voice and her ability to deliver incredibly dry humor. She starred as the title character in ‘Maude’ which was a spin off of ‘All in the Family’ and dealt with serious social issues. Years later she became a household name once again by playing Dorothy Zbornak on ‘The Golden Girls’. She appeared in various theatrical productions and won a Tony Award before focusing more on television.

Estelle Getty

Estelle Getty is best known for her role as the sharp tongued Sophia Petrillo on ‘The Golden Girls’. Even though she played the mother of Dorothy Zbornak she was actually younger than her costar Bea Arthur in real life. She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her work on the series and continued the role in the spin off called ‘The Golden Palace’. She also appeared as the same character in episodes of ‘Empty Nest’ and ‘Blossom’.

Rue McClanahan

Rue McClanahan played the glamorous and man hungry Blanche Devereaux on ‘The Golden Girls’. Before that success she worked alongside Bea Arthur as Vivian Harmon on the sitcom ‘Maude’. Her career began on the stage and she appeared in several soap operas before finding her home in comedy. She wrote an autobiography later in life that detailed her many marriages and her long career in Hollywood.

Suzanne Somers

Suzanne Somers became a breakout star when she was cast as Chrissy Snow on the hit sitcom ‘Three’s Company’. She eventually left the show after a contract dispute and found huge success as a spokesperson for fitness products. In the nineties she returned to television to play the matriarch Carol Foster Lambert on ‘Step by Step’. She was also an author who wrote many books about health and wellness throughout her life.

Kirstie Alley

Kirstie Alley joined the cast of ‘Cheers’ as Rebecca Howe and helped the show remain a top rated series for several years. She won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her performance as the ambitious but high strung bar manager. After that show ended she starred in the sitcom ‘Veronica’s Closet’ and appeared in several movies like ‘Look Who’s Talking’. She continued to work in reality television and sitcoms until her passing from cancer.

Florence Henderson

Florence Henderson was beloved by millions for her role as Carol Brady on ‘The Brady Bunch’. She was a talented singer who started her career on Broadway before becoming a household name on television. After the original series ended she appeared in many spin offs and variety shows including ‘The Brady Bunch Hour’. She also hosted her own cooking show and made frequent guest appearances on competition shows later in her life.

Penny Marshall

Penny Marshall played the tough but lovable Laverne DeFazio on the hit sitcom ‘Laverne and Shirley’. The show was a spin off of ‘Happy Days’ and became one of the most popular programs on television during its run. While she was a talented actress she later found even greater fame as a director for movies like ‘Big’ and ‘A League of Their Own’. She remained an influential figure in the entertainment industry until her death from complications of diabetes.

Cindy Williams

Cindy Williams starred as the optimistic Shirley Feeney alongside Penny Marshall on ‘Laverne and Shirley’. Before her sitcom success she had notable roles in major films like ‘American Graffiti’ and ‘The Conversation’. She and Marshall formed one of the most famous comedic duos in television history during the late seventies and early eighties. After leaving the show she worked in theater and made various guest appearances on different television programs.

Doris Roberts

Doris Roberts is fondly remembered for playing the overbearing mother Marie Barone on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’. She won four Emmy Awards for that role and became one of the most recognizable grandmothers on television. Her career lasted for several decades and included theater work as well as appearances on shows like ‘Remington Steele’. She was also an advocate for the elderly and spoke out against ageism in Hollywood.

Cloris Leachman

Cloris Leachman was one of the most decorated actresses in television history with a record number of Emmy wins. She gained fame as Phyllis Lindstrom on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and later starred in her own spin off titled ‘Phyllis’. In her later years she reached a new generation of fans by playing Maw Maw on the sitcom ‘Raising Hope’. She also won an Academy Award for her work in film and remained active in the industry until her death.

Jessica Walter

Jessica Walter had a long career but is perhaps most famous for her role as the manipulative matriarch Lucille Bluth on ‘Arrested Development’. She also provided the voice for Malory Archer on the animated sitcom ‘Archer’ for many years. Earlier in her career she starred in the thriller ‘Play Misty for Me’ and won an Emmy for her role in the series ‘Amy Prentiss’. Her sharp delivery and comedic timing made her a favorite among fans of modern comedy.

Valerie Harper

Valerie Harper became a star by playing the character Rhoda Morgenstern on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’. Her character was so popular that she received her own spin off titled ‘Rhoda’ which followed her life in New York City. She won four Emmy Awards for her portrayal of the fashion forward and witty character. Later in her career she starred in the sitcom ‘Valerie’ and remained a prominent figure in theater and television until her passing.

Georgia Engel

Georgia Engel was known for her distinctive high pitched voice and her sweet demeanor on screen. She played Georgette Franklin Baxter on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and later had a recurring role as Pat MacDougall on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’. Her career included several Broadway roles and voice work for various animated projects. She often collaborated with her close friend Betty White on different television shows throughout the years.

Charlotte Rae

Charlotte Rae created the iconic character of Edna Garrett on the sitcom ‘Diff’rent Strokes’. The character was so well liked that she moved to her own series called ‘The Facts of Life’ where she looked after a group of girls at a boarding school. Before her television fame she was a seasoned stage actress and received two Tony Award nominations. She continued to work in the industry for many years and wrote a memoir about her experiences in Hollywood.

Jean Stapleton

Jean Stapleton gave an unforgettable performance as Edith Bunker on the controversial and groundbreaking sitcom ‘All in the Family’. She won three Emmy Awards for her portrayal of the kindhearted and somewhat naive wife of Archie Bunker. While she was best known for that role she was also a highly respected stage actress with a long history in musical theater. She eventually chose to leave the series to pursue other creative opportunities and remained active in the arts for the rest of her life.

Isabel Sanford

Isabel Sanford made history by playing Louise Jefferson on the long running sitcom ‘The Jeffersons’. She was the first African American woman to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Her character originally appeared on ‘All in the Family’ before moving to the successful spin off that followed the family to Manhattan. She continued to act in guest roles until she passed away in the mid two thousands.

Elizabeth Montgomery

Elizabeth Montgomery captivated audiences as the nose twitching witch Samantha Stephens on the classic sitcom ‘Bewitched’. The show ran for eight seasons and became one of the most enduring programs in television history. After the series ended she moved away from comedy to star in several dramatic television movies that showcased her range. She was also a dedicated activist who supported various social causes throughout her life and career.

Della Reese

Della Reese was a powerful singer and actress who found great success on both the stage and the screen. While she is famous for the drama ‘Touched by an Angel’ she also starred in the sitcom ‘The Royal Family’ alongside Redd Foxx. She was a pioneer as one of the first African American women to host her own talk show titled ‘Della’. Her career spanned several decades and she eventually became an ordained minister later in her life.

Katherine Helmond

Katherine Helmond was a versatile actress who excelled in both surreal comedy and traditional sitcoms. She played the eccentric Jessica Tate on the soap opera parody ‘Soap’ and later starred as Mona Robinson on ‘Who’s the Boss?’. Her performance as the man crazy grandmother earned her multiple award nominations and a dedicated fan base. She also had a successful film career and appeared in several movies directed by Terry Gilliam.

Dixie Carter

Dixie Carter is best remembered for her role as the sharp and sophisticated Julia Sugarbaker on ‘Designing Women’. She was known for her character’s dramatic monologues that often addressed social and political issues of the time. Outside of her sitcom work she was a classically trained singer who performed in many musical theater productions. She remained a beloved figure in the entertainment world until her death from complications of cancer.

Ann B. Davis

Ann B. Davis became a television icon for her role as the cheerful housekeeper Alice Nelson on ‘The Brady Bunch’. Before joining that series she had already won two Emmy Awards for her role as Schultzy on ‘The Bob Cummings Show’. She appeared in various sequels and spin offs of the Brady family story over the following decades. Later in life she stepped away from show business to devote her time to a religious community.

Erin Moran

Erin Moran grew up on television playing the role of Joanie Cunningham on the massive hit ‘Happy Days’. Her character was the younger sister of Richie Cunningham and eventually got her own spin off called ‘Joanie Loves Chachi’. She started her career as a child actress in commercials and had roles in movies before finding sitcom fame. She struggled with some personal challenges later in life and passed away after a battle with throat cancer.

Conchata Ferrell

Conchata Ferrell became a fan favorite for her role as the sarcastic housekeeper Berta on ‘Two and a Half Men’. She received two Emmy nominations for her work on the show and appeared in nearly every episode of the long running series. Her career began in the theater where she won several awards for her performances in various plays. She also appeared in films like ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and ‘Erin Brockovich’ throughout her successful career.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera rose to international fame for her role as Santana Lopez on the musical comedy series ‘Glee’. She started her career as a child actress and appeared on the sitcom ‘The Royal Family’ when she was only four years old. Her performance on television was praised for its comedic timing as well as her incredible singing voice. She passed away in a tragic swimming accident which led to a massive outpouring of grief from her fans and costars.

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy was a talented actress who had early success in sitcoms before moving into major film roles. She played Sarah on the show ‘Sister, Sister’ and later provided the voice for Luanne Platter on the animated sitcom ‘King of the Hill’. Her film career included hits like ‘Clueless’ and ‘8 Mile’ where she showed her range as both a comedic and dramatic actress. She passed away unexpectedly at a young age which shocked the entire entertainment industry.

Esther Rolle

Esther Rolle is widely respected for her portrayal of Florida Evans on the sitcom ‘Maude’ and its spin off ‘Good Times’. She was a founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company and had a deep background in theater before television. Her character was the matriarch of a family living in a Chicago housing project and the show broke many barriers. She won an Emmy Award for her role in the television movie ‘Summer of My German Soldier’ later in her career.

Ja’Net DuBois

Ja’Net DuBois played the vibrant and stylish neighbor Willona Woods on the hit sitcom ‘Good Times’. She was also a talented singer and co wrote and performed the iconic theme song for the sitcom ‘The Jeffersons’. Her career included many guest appearances on shows like ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘The Steve Harvey Show’. She won two Emmy Awards for her voiceover work on the animated series ‘The PJs’ during the late nineties.

Alice Ghostley

Alice Ghostley was a character actress known for her unique comedic style and her appearances in several classic sitcoms. She played the shy witch Esmeralda on ‘Bewitched’ and later became a regular on ‘Designing Women’ as Bernice Clifton. Her work on Broadway earned her a Tony Award and she appeared in the film version of ‘Grease’ as Mrs. Murdock. She continued to work in television and film until her retirement in the early two thousands.

Shirley Booth

Shirley Booth was an acclaimed actress of the stage and screen who found sitcom fame later in her career. She played the title character in ‘Hazel’ where she portrayed a bossy but lovable live in maid for a professional family. She won two Emmy Awards for that role and was also a winner of the Triple Crown of Acting. This means she won an Oscar, a Tony, and an Emmy throughout her distinguished time in the industry.

Donna Reed

Donna Reed was already an Academy Award winning film star when she decided to move into television. She starred in ‘The Donna Reed Show’ as the quintessential mid century housewife and mother Donna Stone. The series was a major success and she served as one of the first female television executives through her production role. She later joined the cast of the drama ‘Dallas’ for a brief period before her passing in the mid eighties.

Natalie Schafer

Natalie Schafer is forever linked to her role as Lovey Howell on the classic comedy series ‘Gilligan’s Island’. She played the wealthy and sophisticated wife of the millionaire and appeared in all the show’s spin offs and movies. Before her television career she was a successful Broadway actress and appeared in many films during the golden age of Hollywood. She lived a very long life and was known for her dedication to her health.

Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells became a household name for playing the wholesome Mary Ann Summers on ‘Gilligan’s Island’. She was a former Miss Nevada and brought a sense of charm and kindness to her character on the deserted island. After the show ended she continued to work in theater and made many appearances as her famous character in various specials. She also ran a film actors boot camp and was involved in several charitable organizations throughout her life.

Shelley Morrison

Shelley Morrison had a long career but gained a new level of fame playing Rosario Salazar on ‘Will and Grace’. Her character was the sharp tongued maid who had a very funny relationship with Karen Walker. She was originally only supposed to appear in one episode but she became so popular that she stayed for the entire original run. Before this role she appeared in dozens of television shows and films starting in the early sixties.

Linda Porter

Linda Porter was a beloved character actress who appeared in many sitcoms and films over several decades. She is most fondly remembered by modern audiences for playing Myrtle on the workplace comedy ‘Superstore’. Her career included guest roles on shows like ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘American Horror Story’ as well as roles in movies like ‘Dude Where’s My Car’. She worked consistently in the industry and was known for her great comedic timing even in small roles.

Helen Martin

Helen Martin was a veteran actress who became a mainstay on television during the eighties and nineties. She is best known for her role as the gossiping neighbor Pearl Shay on the sitcom ‘227’. Before her television success she was a prominent figure in the theater and was one of the first members of the American Negro Theater. She also appeared in several movies including ‘Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood’.

Shirley Hemphill

Shirley Hemphill was a stand up comedian who found fame starring in the sitcom ‘What’s Happening!!’. She played the character Shirley Wilson who was a waitress at the local hangout and was known for her quick wit. After that show ended she starred in her own sitcom titled ‘One in a Million’ and continued to perform stand up comedy. She was a regular guest on various talk shows and remained a popular figure in the comedy world until her death.

Clarice Taylor

Clarice Taylor was an accomplished actress who played the role of Anna Huxtable on ‘The Cosby Show’. She portrayed the mother of Cliff Huxtable and became a beloved grandmother figure to millions of viewers. Her career also included a long run on the children’s show ‘Sesame Street’ where she played the character Harriet. She was a respected stage actress as well and received an Emmy nomination for her work on television during the late eighties.

Anne Meara

Anne Meara was one half of the famous comedy duo Stiller and Meara alongside her husband Jerry Stiller. She had a long and varied career that included sitcom roles on shows like ‘ALF’ and ‘The King of Queens’. She played the mother of the lead characters in both series and was known for her sharp humor and motherly warmth. She was the mother of actor Ben Stiller and remained a prominent figure in both comedy and drama for many decades.

Nanette Fabray

Nanette Fabray was a versatile performer who won three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award during her long career. She is well remembered by sitcom fans for playing Grandma Katherine Romano on ‘One Day at a Time’. Earlier in her career she was a frequent guest on variety shows and starred in the musical film ‘The Band Wagon’. She was also a dedicated advocate for the rights of people with hearing loss and received several awards for her humanitarian work.

Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller was a pioneer for women in stand up comedy and had her own sitcoms during the sixties. She starred in ‘The Pruitts of Southampton’ and ‘The Phyllis Diller Show’ while maintaining a very busy schedule of live performances. She was famous for her wild hair and her loud infectious laugh as well as her jokes about her husband Fang. She continued to work in voiceover and guest roles well into her nineties before passing away peacefully.

Madeline Kahn

Madeline Kahn was a legendary comedic actress who was known for her work in Mel Brooks films like ‘Blazing Saddles’. On television she starred in the sitcom ‘Cosby’ as the eccentric friend Madeline White for several seasons. She won two Tony Awards for her work on Broadway and was nominated for two Academy Awards during her film career. Her unique voice and comedic style made her one of the most respected performers of her generation before her death.

Selma Diamond

Selma Diamond was a talented writer and actress who became a fan favorite on the sitcom ‘Night Court’. She played the role of the gruff bailiff Selma Hacker and was known for her gravelly voice and frequent smoking character. Before her time on camera she was a highly successful comedy writer for legends like Sid Caesar and Groucho Marx. She passed away during the run of the show and left a lasting impression on the world of television comedy.

Which of these legendary sitcom actresses left the biggest impact on your childhood or favorite television memories?