Simpsons voice and actress Marcia Wallace has died at the age of 70.

Actresses Marcia Wallace, Suzanne Pleshette, and Actor Bob Newhart accept the Icon Award for "The Bob Newhart Show" onstage at the 2005 TV Land Awards
Actresses Marcia Wallace, Suzanne Pleshette, and Actor Bob Newhart accept the Icon Award for "The Bob Newhart Show" onstage at the 2005 TV Land Awards (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
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Edna Krabappel
Edna Krabappel (YouTube)
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“She passed at 9 PM last night due to complications from breast cancer of which she was a long and proud survivor and advocate for women and healing,” Wallace’s close friend Cathryn Michon told Deadline Hollywood.

Wallace is perhaps best known for her role as disgruntled teacher Mrs. Krabappel on The Simpsons and receptionist Carol Kester on The Bob Newhart Show in the 1970s, a role that was written specifically for her thanks to her frequent appearances on the Merv Griffin Show.

Reaction From Springfield

Simpsons co-star Harry Shearer tweeted, "So sad to learn--through Twitter, first--of the passing of the wonderful Marcia Wallace. Sorely missed already." Wallace’s Simpsons co-star Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson, tweeted “Heaven is now a much funnier place because of you.”

Simpsons co-producer Al Jean said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “I was tremendously saddened to learn this morning of the passing of the brilliant and gracious Marcia Wallace,” “She was beloved by all at The Simpsons and we intend to retire her irreplaceable character.”  He revealed that Edna Krabappel was not going to be the long-running character producers plan to kill off. "Marcia’s passing is unrelated and again, a terrible loss for all who had the pleasure of knowing her.” Jean told the magazine.

Voiced Edna Krabappel In Over 100 Simpsons Episodes

Marcia Wallace in her final movie, Muffin Top
Marcia Wallace in her final movie, Muffin Top (YouTube)
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Wallace voiced Edna Krabappel in over 100 episodes of the Simpsons and won an Emmy for the role in 1992. The character is married to Ned Flanders thanks to a viewer vote that determined that was in favor of them being married. She had dated principal Seymour Skinner for much of the show.

 

Her final role is in the upcoming Muffin Top, in which Wallace co-stars alongside her son, Michael Hawley.

Wallace was a character actor who appeared on many shows including ALF, The Brady Bunch, Murder She Wrote, The Young And The Restless and many others according to IMDB.com. She revived the role of Carol Kester in an episode of Murphy Brown, who was known for going through many receptionists. Bob Newhart appeared on the same episode.

Wallace was a staple on many game shows in the 1970s and 80s making numerous appearances on the $25,000 Pyramid, Match Game and more.

This is a breaking story. Check back for additional details.



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