Frances Sternhagen, the Tony-winning Broadway actress who also charmed TV audiences as Cliff Clavin’s mom, Esther, on “Cheers” has died. She was 93.
Sternhagen’s son, actor John Carlin, announced Wednesday on Instagram that his mother died peacefully of natural causes on Monday night.
“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,” Carlin wrote.
“Fly on, Frannie,” he added. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived.”
The legendary Broadway star won two Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony awards for “The Good Doctor” in 1974 and “The Heiress” in 1995.
She also earned two Emmy nominations for her role in “Cheers” and one for her time on “Sex and the City.”
Frances Sternhagen was a two-time Tony winner and a three-time Emmy-nominated actress. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Lily Rabe (from left), Marsha Mason, Rebecca Gayheart, Sternhagen, Christine Ebersole and Delta Burke smile on a red carpet. FilmMagicSternhagen received Tony nominations for her roles in “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window” (1972), “Equus” (1975), “Angel” (1978), “On Golden Pond” (1979) and “Morning’s at Seven” (2002).
In addition, the starlet appeared alongside Sean Connery in 1981’s “Outland” and Michael J. Fox in 1988’s “Bright Lights, Big City.”
Sternhagen also made memorable appearances on various TV shows, including “ER,” and as Charlotte York’s eccentric first mother-in-law, Bunny MacDougal, on “Sex and the City.”
John Carlin smooches his mom, Sternhagen, on the cheek. Instagram/John Carlin“I must say it’s fun to play these snobby older ladies. It’s always more fun to be obnoxious,” Sternhagen told the Los Angeles Times in 2002.
She added: “I have known women like that, and I can imitate them, I guess.”
The critically acclaimed actress also had a reoccurring role in “The Closer” from 2006 to 2012.
Sarah Fargo, a representative for Sternhagen, confirmed services for the late actor would take place next year.
Lindsay Wagner (from left), Brian Lima, Sternhagen and Peter Fonda in “Two People” in 1973. LMPC via Getty Images“A celebration of her remarkable career and life is planned for mid January, near her 94th birthday,” Fargo wrote. “We continue to be inspired by her love and life.”
Sternhagen was married to fellow actor Thomas Carlin from 1956 until his death in 1991.
They had six kids together: Paul, Amanda, Tony, Sarah, Peter and John. She is also survived by two grandchildren.
