Actress Louise Lasser, best known for her leading role in the groundbreaking 1970s television series Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, has died at the age of 87.
Lasser died of natural causes at her home in New York City on Monday, July 6, according to her longtime friend Susan Charlotte, who confirmed the news to USA TODAY.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Lasser built a reputation for her distinctive comedic performances in television, film and Broadway productions. She was also known for her early collaborations with filmmaker Woody Allen, to whom she was married from 1966 to 1970.
Early Life
Louise Lasser was born on April 11, 1939, in New York City.
She attended Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she performed in musical productions before leaving after three years to pursue an acting career in Manhattan. It was during this period that she met Woody Allen.
The couple married in 1966 before divorcing four years later.
Career
Lasser made her Broadway debut in 1962 in the musical I Can Get It for You Wholesale. She also appeared in Allen’s stage production The Laughmakers that same year.
Her television and film career expanded throughout the 1960s with appearances in The Doctors, What’s New Pussycat, and the dubbed comedy What’s Up, Tiger Lily?, in which she voiced the character Suki Yaki.
She later appeared alongside Allen in several films, including Take the Money and Run (1969), Bananas (1971), and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask) (1972).
Breakthrough
Lasser achieved national recognition with the title role in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, a satirical soap opera created by Norman Lear that aired from 1976 to 1977.
The series followed Mary Hartman, an Ohio housewife navigating increasingly unusual situations while parodying traditional daytime soap operas and American suburban life.
The show aired five nights a week and ran for two seasons, becoming one of television’s most distinctive comedies of the era.
In 1976, Lasser received an Emmy Award nomination for her performance. That same year, she also hosted Saturday Night Live.
Later Work
Following the success of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Lasser continued working steadily in television and film.
Her credits included appearances in Taxi, It’s a Living, Simon, Rude Awakening, Modern Love, The Night We Never Met, National Lampoon’s Gold Diggers, and Wolves of Wall Street.
She also wrote and starred in the 1978 film Just Me and You and made a cameo appearance in Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories in 1980.
In more recent years, she appeared in three episodes of HBO’s Girls.
Final Role
Lasser’s final television credit came in the 2018 film Did You Know My Husband?, where she appeared alongside her longtime partner, Michael Citriniti.
Susan Charlotte, who wrote the teleplay, said Lasser took great pride in her work and enjoyed collaborating on the project.
Career Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Louise Lasser |
| Born | April 11, 1939 |
| Died | July 6, 2026 |
| Age | 87 |
| Birthplace | New York City |
| Best Known For | Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman |
| Emmy Nomination | 1976 |
| Final Screen Credit | Did You Know My Husband? (2018) |
Louise Lasser’s work helped shape television comedy during the 1970s, particularly through her memorable portrayal of Mary Hartman. Her performances across stage, film and television left a lasting mark on the entertainment industry, and she is remembered for a career defined by originality, wit and versatility.
FAQs
How old was Louise Lasser when she died?
She was 87 years old.
What was Louise Lasser best known for?
Her starring role in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
What was the cause of her death?
She died of natural causes.
Was Louise Lasser married to Woody Allen?
Yes. They were married from 1966 to 1970.
What was Louise Lasser’s final screen credit?
Did You Know My Husband? released in 2018.
