Tony Award-winning actress Elizabeth Franz, born Elizabeth Jean Frankovitch, died on November 4 at her home in Woodbury, Connecticut. She was 84 years old. Her husband, screenwriter Christopher Pelham, confirmed her death, stating that cancer and complications from medications were the cause.
Franz earned widespread acclaim for her unconventional portrayal of Linda Loman in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” alongside Brian Dennehy, who played Willy Loman. The production began at the Goodman Theater in Chicago before transferring to Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre in February 1999. Rather than depicting Linda as a defeated wife, Franz brought fierce protectiveness and sensuality to the role, transforming audience perceptions of the character.
Miller, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949 for the play, praised Franz’s interpretation in a feature published by The New York Times. He said Franz “has discovered in the role the basic underlying powerful protectiveness, which comes out as fury, and that in the past, in every performance I know of, was simply washed out.” The playwright’s endorsement marked a significant moment in Franz’s career, validating her bold artistic choices.
Franz herself spoke candidly about the intimate connection between Linda and Willy in the 1999 Times piece, emphasizing the deep emotional and physical bond between the characters that informed her interpretation of the role.
The 50th anniversary production of “Death of a Salesman” earned four Tony Awards, including Franz’s win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play. She and Dennehy reprised their roles in a 2000 television adaptation for Showtime, with both actors receiving Emmy nominations for their performances. This dual recognition across stage and screen demonstrated Franz’s versatility and the enduring impact of her interpretation.
Throughout her distinguished career, Franz received multiple Tony nominations. In 1983, she was nominated for portraying Kate Jerome, Matthew Broderick’s mother, in Neil Simon’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” Nearly two decades later, in 2002, she earned another nomination for “Morning’s at Seven,” where she performed alongside Frances Sternhagen, Estelle Parsons and Piper Laurie. Her range extended beyond drama, as evidenced by her Obie Award win in 1980 for playing Sister Mary in Christopher Durang’s “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.”
Franz’s Broadway credits spanned numerous productions, including “The Cherry Orchard,” “The Octette Bridge Club,” “The Cemetery Club,” “Getting Married” and “Uncle Vanya.” Her final Broadway appearance came in 2010 when she played Aunt Ev in “The Miracle Worker,” which ran from March to April that year. Her stage debut on Broadway occurred in 1967 in Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.”
Television audiences recognized Franz for her warm portrayal of Mia Bass on “Gilmore Girls” and her appearances on numerous other series. She had memorable guest roles on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” with her 2004 episode remaining particularly notable, as well as appearances on “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Judging Amy,” “Homeland,” “Cold Case,” “Sisters” and “The Equalizer.” Her television work showcased her ability to bring depth to both recurring and single-episode roles.
Her film credits included the 1995 remake of “Sabrina,” “Christmas With the Kranks,” “The Secret of My Success,” “Jacknife,” “School Ties” and “The Substance of Fire.” Her final onscreen role came in the 2015 film “Take Me to the River.” This body of work demonstrated her commitment to diverse projects across different mediums throughout her career.
Born on June 18, 1941, in Akron, Ohio, Franz grew up in challenging circumstances that later informed her understanding of working-class characters. Her father worked in a tire factory, and her mother was a waitress who suffered from mental illness. Franz spoke openly about her difficult childhood in the 1999 Times interview, recalling how her grandmother would hide her in a closet during particularly frightening moments. “I remember holding onto my father and saying, ‘She’ll come back,'” she told the outlet.
After graduating from high school in Ohio, Franz attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, completing her studies in 1962. This training launched a professional career that would span more than five decades. She was first married to character actor Edward Binns, known for films including “12 Angry Men,” “North by Northwest” and “Fail Safe.” They were married from 1984 until his death in 1990 at age 74, frequently appearing onstage together during their marriage.
Franz is survived by her husband Pelham and her brother Joe. Her contributions to American theater, particularly her groundbreaking work in “Death of a Salesman,” established her as an actress who brought emotional truth and unexpected dimensions to familiar roles. Her willingness to challenge traditional interpretations and her commitment to authenticity left a lasting impact on both Broadway and the broader performing arts community.
