Louise Lasser, Star of ‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,’ Dies at 87

Louise Lasser, who was known for her role in Norman Lear's short-lived satirical soap opera "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," has passed away.She was 87 years old.

She passed away due to natural causes on Monday while she was at home in Manhattan.

Louise had a quiet and calm personality in real life, but in the show, she played a stressed and money-driven Midwestern housewife.

The show used strange and funny situations to make fun of how consumerism affects American women who stay at home.In one funny episode, a man drowns in a bowl of Mary's chicken soup.

Louise started her career on Broadway, where she first appeared in the musical "I Can Get It for You Wholesale" in 1962.

In 1966, she married Woody Allen and became his first leading lady.She starred in some of his early films, like "Take the Money and Run" and "Bananas." The two divorced in 1970.

Louise was a well-known comedian.

She hosted "Saturday Night Live" in 1976 and appeared on a number of TV shows, including "The Bob Newhart Show," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Taxi," "Laverne and Shirley," and "St.Elsewhere."

In her later years, she acted in dark comedy movies such as Todd Solondz's 1998 film "Happiness" and Owen Kline's 2022 movie "Funny Pages."

She also had a role in Seasons 3 and 4 of Lena Dunham's HBO comedy "Girls," where she played a wheelchair-using artist named Beadie.

Beadie hires Jemima Kirke's character, Jessa, as her assistant and later asks her to help her die by taking pills.In a twist, Beadie changes her mind after taking the pills and then calls for help.Jessa urgently calls the ambulance to save her.

Louise is survived by her partner, Michael Citriniti.