Sada Thompson, 1970s TV mom, dies in Conn. at 81

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[May 09, 2011]  HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- An agent for actress Sada Thompson says the matriarch of stage and screen has died in Connecticut at age 81. Thompson won an Emmy Award for playing the eternally understanding mother in the 1970s television series "Family."

Agent David Shaul said Sunday from Los Angeles that Thompson died Wednesday of a lung disease at Danbury Hospital.

Thompson's biggest Broadway success was "Twigs," in which she played three sisters -- and their mother. She won a Tony Award for the 1971 comedy by George Furth.

In the late '70s, she was recognized for her portrayal of the levelheaded Kate Lawrence in the ABC drama "Family," which ran for five seasons.

Thompson loved a good character role. She once told The Associated Press she loved the theater because it's a human experience and there's nothing "shellacked or finished off about it."

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN SINGER]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

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