Actress Louise Lasser, best known for her role in the sitcom Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman has died.
Born on April 11th 1939, Lasser’s life was turbulent from an early age. Her mother Paula was severely mentally unwell, and tried to end her life multiple times during Lasser’s childhood. Ultimately, both of her parents would die by suicide.
Despite studying political science at Brandeis University, Lasser opted to pursue her interest in performing arts, after meeting Woody Allen in the early sixties. The two would later marry in 1966 before divorcing in 1970. During their relationship, Lasser appeared in several of Allen’s early films including, Take the Money and Run and Bananas.
Also during this time, Lasser performed on Broadway, at one point serving as understudy for Barbra Streisand in I Can Get it For Wholesale.
Following her divorce from Allen, Lasser would flex her comic skills in the films Such Good Friends and Slither. Lasser would also make guest appearances on the likes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show.
Lasser’s mainstream breakthrough came in 1976, when she was cast in the title role of the sitcom Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. A soap opera satire, the show detailed the life of a neurotic housewife. Running for two seasons and over 300 episodes, it remains Lasser’s best known role.
Lasser’s career slowed significantly following the conclusion of her sitcom. This was largely attributed to Lasser’s erratic behaviour, which resulted in several legal incidents, including drug possession.
1983 would see Lasser take a lead role in the slasher Blood Rage. The story details a set of twin boys, one of which is homicidal and has framed his brother for a murder. Fondly remembered by genre fans and Lasser devotees alike, Blood Rage sees her frantic, and indulging in habits like alcoholism, that may be a little too close to home. Ultimately, the movie would be released in 1987 as Nightmare at Shadow Woods.
Lasser would later return to the horror genre in Frank Hennenlotter’s 1990 cult classic Frankenhooker.
Other appearances include Sam Raimi’s Crime Wave, and 2000’s critical darling Requiem for a Dream. Lasser’s last significant role was the recurring character of Beadie on the HBO drama Girls.
Louise Lasser passed away on July 6th 2026 in New York City. She had no children or living relatives. A cause of death has not yet been announced. Louise was 87 years old.
Rest easy, Louise.
