Actress Jill Clayburgh Dies at 66

Celebrity News November 6, 2010 AT 10:16AM
Actress Jill Clayburgh Dies at 66 Credit: Avik Gilboa/WireImage

Oscar-nominated film, stage and TV actress Jill Clayburgh lost her 21-year battle with leukemia Friday at the age of 66.

The star, who most recently appeared as devoted matriarch Letitia Darling on ABC's Dirty Sexy Money, was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing in Lakeville, Conn.

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Clayburgh, known for taking on empowering feminist roles, is perhaps best remembered for her appearance in 1978's An Unmarried Woman. The actress earned an Academy Award for her portrayal of Erica, a New Yorker who struggles after her husband leaves her for another woman.

On the small screen, Clayburgh appeared on Law & Order, The Practice and Nip/Tuck. She also had a recurring role on Ally McBeal as Ally's mother, Jeannie.

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"I guess people look at me and they think I'm a ladylike character," Clayburgh told The New York Times in 1982. "But it's not what I do best. I do best with characters who are coming apart at the seams."

Clayburgh is survived by her husband, playwright David Rabe, and three children.

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  • November 08, 2010 - 9:38am Filomena Araujo

    Was this the lady from the yogurt commercials?

  • November 07, 2010 - 10:45pm Gracie Mo

    Sorry to learn of her passing. Cancer sucks! May her spirit RIP. God bless.

  • November 07, 2010 - 2:24pm Elda Reyes

    OH NO!!!!! love all ur movies Babys, rip angel...

  • November 06, 2010 - 7:39pm Annalee Jackson

    I was wondering if any of these entertainment sites were going to get around to posting this. Thank you USMag. R.I.P Ms Clayburgh!

  • November 06, 2010 - 3:36pm Filomena Araujo

    R.I.P mam!!!

  • November 06, 2010 - 12:57pm Fortune McLemore

    They don't make 'em like Jill Clayburgh anymore. And BTW, Minse Lpoi: please don't post about something like a handbag site when someone has just died. That is REALLY inappropriate here.

  • November 06, 2010 - 11:58am Nadege Kib

    rip :(

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