Lynne Marta Obituary – Death: Prolific ‘Love, American Style’ & ‘Footloose’ Actor Passed Away At 78
Lynne Marta, an actress with a successful career spanning almost four decades, known for her roles in Love, American Style, and the 1984 film Footloose, passed away in Los Angeles on January 11 due to cancer. She was 78.
Joan Sobel, a close friend of Marta, shared on Facebook, “My dear friend, Lynne Marta, has peacefully left us. She was an incredibly talented actress and a beautiful singer with a voice like an angel. A kind soul who cherished her human and furry friends. She will be deeply missed.”
Born on October 30, 1945, in Somerville, New Jersey, Marta started her television career in 1966 with appearances on Gidget and The Monkees. From her debut until her role in an episode of the NBC drama series American Dreams in 2004, Marta consistently contributed to both film and TV. She notably appeared in 24 episodes of the soap opera Days of Our Lives between 1983 and 2003.
Throughout the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Marta was a familiar face on episodic television, making guest appearances on shows like Then Came Bronson, Dan August, Cannon, Mod Squad, The Rookies, The F.B.I., Gunsmoke, Marcus Welby, M.D., Kojak, The Streets of San Francisco, Barnaby Jones, ChiPs, Matt Houston, Designing Women, Law & Order, The Young and the Restless, Crossing Jordan, and ER.
Marta also had a connection to the popular series Starsky and Hutch, appearing in four episodes alongside David Soul, who was her romantic partner during most of the show’s 1975-79 run.
As one of the Love, American Style Players, part of the regular cast featured in short skits during the 1969-74 comedy anthology series, Marta was already recognized by TV audiences. She achieved a notable milestone in her film career with a featured role in the 1972 Clint Eastwood Western Joe Kidd. Another significant film role came in 1984 when she portrayed Aunt Lulu Warnicker in the widely successful Footloose, directed by Herbert Ross.
Tragically, five years after her role in Footloose, Marta became involved in a horrific incident as a neighbor and friend of Rebecca Schaeffer, the My Sister Sam actor who was fatally shot by a stalker. Living in the same West Hollywood apartment complex, Marta testified against the killer in court, providing crucial eyewitness testimony that contributed to the conviction.
Lynne Marta is survived by a sister. The Hollywood Reporter was the first to report her passing.