Frances Sternhagen, an esteemed Tony Award-winning actress known for her dynamic presence on Broadway and television, died at the age of 93 in her New Rochelle, New York home on the evening of November 27, 2023. Her son, John Carlin, announced her death from natural causes via Instagram, sharing their final conversation and his admiration for her as both an artist and a mother.
Sternhagen’s six-decade career was marked by her Broadway debut in “The Skin of Our Teeth” in 1955 and her subsequent Tony Award wins for “The Good Doctor” and “The Heiress.”
Her television presence was significant, with roles in “Cheers,” “ER,” “Sex and the City,” and “The Closer,” leading to multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Her film career included roles in “The Hospital,” “Misery,” “Starting Over,” and “Julie & Julia.”
Sternhagen married actor Thomas A. Carlin in 1956, and they had six children. She is survived by a large family, including nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Carlin’s tribute to his mother highlighted her influence on his creative work and her role as an inspirational figure in his life. He ended his tribute with a poetic farewell: “Fly on, Frannie. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly, and generously lived.”
