Stage and screen actress Frances Sternhagen, renowned for her work on Broadway in shows such as “Equus,” “On Golden Pond” and “Steel Magnolias,” as well as appearing in popular television programs like “Cheers” and “Sex and the City,” has died at the age of 93. Her passing was confirmed by her son John Carlin on Instagram, however, the cause of her death was not disclosed.
Renowned for her versatility and unmatched talent, Sternhagen charmed audiences with her depictions of folksy, regal, plain-spoken and glamorous women. She was known for bringing dotty eccentrics and snobby patricians to life. Stemhagen, a Washington native, appeared in more than 25 Broadway plays, where she received seven Tony nominations. Her final stage performance was in 2005, alongside George Grizzard.
During her extraordinary career, Sternhagen portrayed a variety of memorable matriarchs in Colgate toothpaste commercials as well as on notable television shows such as “Cheers” and “Sex and the City.” Her film roles include “Outland” and a feature in a Stephen King adaptation. However, she was most celebrated for her exemplary work on stage, embodying a myriad of formidable older women in various plays.
Sternhagen, who received her first Tony nomination in 1972 and two subsequent Tony awards, initially hesitated to take on the role of Ethel in Ernest Thompson’s “On Golden Pond,” however, she had a change of heart and the performance earned her a Tony nomination.
An only child, Sternhagen graduated from Vassar in 1951 before beginning her acting career. She eventually married fellow actor Thomas Carlin and they had raised six children together. After Carlin’s death in 1991, Sternhagen continued to give standout performances both on stage and on screen, winning her three Obie Awards and earning a lifetime achievement honor in 2013.
Renowned for her unparalleled portrayal of complex characters, Sternhagen had a genuine love and respect for the craft of acting, professing that the hallowed halls of the theater was where she felt most alive.
