Marcia Strassman Of Welcome Back Kotter Dies Of Breast Cancer, 66

Actress Marcia Strassman died from breast cancer at the age of 66. Famous for her roles in the TV show Welcome Back Kotter and the comedy feature Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Strassman was well-respected and served on the national board of the Screen Actors Guild.

“She was the funniest, smartest person I ever met,” said Julie Strassman. Her sister also added that she was “talented” and “knew everything.” Twitter began to buzz with people expressing their grief, including Strassman’s friend, Cher.

Marcia Strassman was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. She died in her California home on October 25th. As a young actress, Strassman worked as a singer and landed a few television roles, including a few episodes on The Patty Duke Show. She then got her role on M.A.S.H. as nurse Margie Cutler. It was in 1975 that Marcia played the wife on Welcome Back Kotter. From regular television roles to movies with Rick Moranis in Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Strassman proved to be funny and talented.

As a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Strassman helped raise funds and gave money to research breast cancer. This was her passion even before she was diagnosed with cancer herself. “She had more friends than anyone in the world,” Julie Strassman said.

Strassman’s life changed in 2007 when she received a Stage IV metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. It had spread to her bones.

“It may sound strange, but cancer has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. It has shown me that I have strength and a zest for life I never imagined I had, and given me a chance to fight for a cause worth fighting for.”

Strong as a speaker and spokesperson for Zometa, the bone drug she took, Strassman dedicated her final years to research and spreading awareness. She was fine with living the rest of her life with cancer and pursuing new medicines and research for breast cancer. She considered cancer a “chronic” illness. She believed in surviving cancer and referred to herself as a “Cancer Warrior,” not just a cancer survivor. Fighting cancer with the right attitude and helping others seemed to make Strassman happy to the end. In the end, she was an inspiration to many cancer sufferers.

The family requests that people donate money to cancer research in Marcia Strassman’s honor instead of sending flowers. Arrangements have not been disclosed as of yet.

(Photo courtesy of APB)