'Simpsons' star Marcia Wallace dies at 70
Marcia Wallace, the star of "The Bob Newhart Show" and "ÂœThe Simpsons," died Friday at the age of 70 from complications related to breast cancer, according to several media reports.
Wallace'€™s blazing red hair and bubbly delivery were tailor-made for the role of the straight-laced Newhart'€™s daffy receptionist on the hit CBS show. The part was reportedly written specifically for her at the insistence of CBS founder Bill Paley.
She would remain with "The Bob Newhart Show" for its six-season run before segueing into guest appearances on shows like "ALF" and "Murphy Brown," and becoming a regular presence on game shows such as "The 25,000 Pyramid"Â and "Hollywood Squares."
She would also build a second career as a voice-over actress, giving life to Edna Krabappel, Bart Simpson's cynical fourth grade teacher on "The Simpsons. "Â The role earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992.
"I was tremendously saddened to learn this morning of the passing of the brilliant and gracious Marcia Wallace," 'The Simpsons' Executive Producer Al Jean said in a statement on Saturday. "She was beloved by all at 'The Simpsons' and we intend to retire her irreplaceable character."
Wallace'€™s career began with a semi-regular stint on the "Merv Griffin Show,"€ and also involved successful forays on the New York and Los Angeles state where she appeared in productions of "The Vagina Monologues," "Gypsy" and "Prisoner of Second Avenue."
Wallace was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985 and became involved in charitable groups involved with treating the disease.
She is survived by a son. She is predeceased by a husband, Dennis.
