Lynne Marta circa 1978.Photo:Everett
Everett
Lynne Marta, a film and television actress who appeared in the musical classicFootloose, has died. She was 78.
Marta’s friend Chris Saint-Hillaire confirmed her death toThe Hollywood Reporteron Tuesday, sharing that she died on Thursday, Jan. 11, from cancer at her home in Los Angeles. PEOPLE is out to Saint-Hillaire for further comment.
Another friend of Marta’s, Joan Sobel, addressed her deathon Facebook, writing: “We lost a beautiful light today. My friend, Lynne Marta lost her good fight. A wonderfully talented actress and a beautiful singer whose voice was of the angels. A dear heart who adored her friends both human and furry. I will miss her terribly.”
Marta was born in New Jersey on Oct. 30, 1945, and began performing as a dancer on the syndicatedThe Lloyd Thaxton Show, asTHRreported. She earned her first onscreen credits in episodes ofGidgetandThe Monkeesat age 19 in 1966, kicking off an acting career that spanned more than three decades.
She took several guest roles on television shows likeThen Came Bronson,The Man and the CityandThe F.B.I.in the late ’60s and early ’70s, on top of appearances in films likeRed Sky at Morning(1971) andJoe Kidd(1972). Her tendency to appear on television for short periods of time continued throughout her career, including stints onStarsky and HutchandCharlie’s Angelsin the late ’70s.
In 1983, Marta held a season-long role onDays of Our Livesas Charlene Higgins. She later returned to the series for appearances as different characters in 1993 and 2003, per herIMDb page. She memorably appeared alongsideKevin Bacon,Sarah Jessica Parkerand John Lithgow in 1984’sFootlooseas Lulu Warnicker.
Lynne Marta, circa 1973.Everett
Lynne, who never married, held an “open relationship” withStarsky and Hutchstar David Soul during the show’s run in the 1970s, PEOPLE previously reported. Soul himselfdied at 80 on Jan. 4.
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Lynne Marta and David Soul in 1977.Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty
Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty
“She was still screaming while I was talking to 911,” she testified, per the outlet. “By the time I got to the door, she was wailing. I opened the small hatch in my door. There was a smell I’ll never forget: the smell of gunfire. It was quiet except for light moaning.”
source: people.com
