Veteran actress Marcia Wallace has passed away. Her longtime friend and collaborator Cathryn Michon disclosed that “She passed at 9 PM last night due to complications from breast cancer of which she was a long and proud survivor and advocate for women and healing."
Wallace, 70 (her 71st would've been next week), is best known for her Emmy award-winning role as Bart's teacher, Edna Krabappel on The Simpsons. She also starred on another classic sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, as Carol the receptionist. She co-wrote the upcoming film Muffin Top with Michon, which also stars her son Michael Hawley.
Edna's role in The Simpsons increased considerably when she married Ned Flanders, and the character was not who executive producer Al Jean had in mind when he said a cast member would perish this season. It's unknown as of now how her death will affect the show.
Jean released this statement regarding her death: "I was tremendously saddened to learn this morning of the passing of the brilliant and gracious Marcia Wallace. She was beloved by all at The Simpsons and we intend to retire her irreplaceable character. Earlier we had discussed a potential storyline in which a character passed away. This was not Marcia’s Edna Krabappel. Marcia’s passing is unrelated and again, a terrible loss for all who had the pleasure of knowing her.”
Co-star Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson) chimed in, "Heaven is now a much funnier place because of you."
RELATED: The 50 Best Simpsons Episodes of All Time
RELATED: 10 Actors Who Died Too Young
[via Deadline]
