Actress Phyllis Somerville has died aged 76, it has been confirmed.
The US star, whose death was announced by her manager Paul Hilepo, was best known for her roles in The Big C and in the Broadway production of To Kill A Mockingbird.
Somerville reportedly died of natural causes at her home in New York City.
In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, her manager said: “She was the consummate professional who lived her dream of being a working actress her entire life in NYC which spanned over 45 years.”
Actress Phyllis Somerville has died aged 76 (Image: FilmMagic)
Hilepo, who worked with the screen and stage star for over 28 years, added: “I will miss her greatly. Her friends and colleagues will miss her greatly as well.”
Reflecting on her career, Hilepo said Somerville “loved doing the kids’ plays at the 52nd Street Project,” where “she once got to play a New York Yankee.”
Somerville died at her home in New York City (Image: Getty Images)
He added: “So she’d been a Yankee and she’d been a New Yorker for over 45 years, but Ms Somerville was never a Rockette.”
Born in Iowa, Somerville discovered a love for acting in her teens, taking up drama classes in high school.
Studying theatre at the University of Iowa, she went on to launch her career on the stage in the late 60s.
Phyllis also enjoyed a starring role in US drama Little Children (Image: New Line/Bona Fide Prods/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
Though she enjoyed a lifelong career in various theatre productions, Somerville earned global recognition with her television acting roles.
Somerville was beloved as Marlene on The Big C, playing the bad-tempered neighbour to lead character Cathy.
Most memorably, she starred in hit US TV series such as Sex and the City, Netflix’s House of Cards and – more recently – The Good Wife.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
