Film and television actor Kate Williamson passed away in her Encino home; she was 83.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Judy Fox, Williamson’s manager, confirmed the actress had passed away. Her death came mere weeks after her husband, actor Al Ruscio, 89, who died on November 12.
“She had been in failing health for quite some time,” Fox said in a statement.
Williamson is known for her role in the 1990’s sitcom Ellen as Mrs. Rodgers, an opinionated teacher and member of Ellen’s book club. Her acting credits include Racing With the Moon (1984), Disclosure (1994), Bye Bye Love (1995), Touch (1997), The Last Time I Committed Suicide (1997), The Hi-Lo Country (1998) and Dahmer (2002).
She also appeared in TV series such as Police Story, JAG, NYPD Blue, Murder, She Wrote, Profiler, Home Improvement, The Paper Chase and 7th Heaven. She also performed in theaters including South Coast Repertory, the La Jolla Playhouse, the San Jose Repertory Theatre, the Arizona Theatre Company, L.A. TheatreWorks, Ensemble Studio Theatre L.A. and the Victory Theatre in Burbank.
Williamson was born Robina Jane Sparks and she married Ruscio in 1954. She received a Dramalogue Award for Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party.