Broadway and television fans are mourning the loss of Elizabeth Franz, the Tony Award–winning actress whose six-decade career left an unforgettable mark on American theater and television. She passed away at 84 at her home in Woodbury, Connecticut, following a battle with cancer and complications from treatment, her husband, Christopher Pelham, confirmed.
Often called “America’s Judi Dench,” Franz was admired for the power, grace, and emotional depth she brought to every role. She began her career Off-Broadway, earning an Obie Award for originating the role of Sister Mary Ignatius in Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.
She gained widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Linda Loman in the 1999 Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman alongside Brian Dennehy—a performance so moving that even playwright Arthur Miller praised her interpretation. She later received an Emmy nomination for reprising the role in Showtime’s television adaptation.
Her stage work included Brighton Beach Memoirs, Morning’s at Seven, The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, and The Miracle Worker. On screen, she appeared with Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, and Jamie Lee Curtis. TV audiences remember her fondly as Mia on Gilmore Girls, along with roles in Grey’s Anatomy, Homeland, Judging Amy, and Law & Order.
Shaped by a difficult childhood, Franz once said acting became her emotional refuge. She is survived by her husband and brother.Elizabeth Franz leaves behind a powerful legacy of honesty, compassion, and unforgettable performances.