Louise Lasser, Star of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Dies at 87

Louise Lasser, the Emmy-nominated actress best known for her starring role in the influential 1970s television satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, has died. She was 87.

Emmy-nominated actress Louise Lasser has died

According to several US media reports, Lasser died of natural causes at her home in Manhattan, New York on July 6.

Lasser’s breakthrough came in 1976 when she took over the title role in the satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, created by TV legend Norman Lear. The series became a cultural phenomenon for its offbeat humor and sharp commentary on American life, with Lasser’s portrayal of the anxious and often confused Mary Hartman earning widespread acclaim. The performance also earned her an Emmy nomination and cemented her status as one of television’s most distinctive performers.

Born in New York in 1939, Lasser began her career on Broadway before moving into film and television. She also became famous for her work in several early films directed by Woody Allen, including Take the Money and Run and Bananas. The couple were married from 1966 to 1970, but continued to work together professionally after their divorce.

In a career spanning more than six decades, Lasser has appeared in numerous television series, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi and Girls. She has also earned recognition as a producer, winning a 2017 News and Documentary Emmy Award for the documentary I Am Evidence.

After news of her death, tributes from fans and colleagues began pouring in, with many remembering her contribution to one of the most innovative television programs of the 1970s. Her portrayal of Mary Hartman remains one of the defining performances of the era and continues to be celebrated for its originality and influence on television storytelling.

Lasser is survived by her longtime partner Michael Citriniti.