Marcia Wallace, Star of 'The Simpsons' and 'Bob Newhart Show,' Dies at 70

Marcia Wallace, an Emmy-winning character actress on two of TV's most enduring shows, has died. She was 70.
Wallace passed away Friday in Los Angeles. Her cause of death was not immediately announced, but Cathryn Michon, who co-wrote and directed Wallace's final movie, "Muffin Top," gave this statement to Deadline: "She passed at 9 p.m. last night due to complications from breast cancer of which she was a long and proud survivor and advocate for women and healing. Ironically it was during breast cancer awareness month during which she was always a funny ray of hope for so many. I’m devastated."
Wallace rose to fame in the 1970s as joke-cracking receptionist Carol Kester on "The Bob Newhart Show." The role of Kester was written specifically for Wallace after producers took note of her many appearances on "The Merv Griffin Show."

In 1992, Wallace earned an Emmy for her voice-over work on "The Simpsons" as Bart's long-suffering Springfield Elementary School teacher Edna Krabappel, who had an affinity for men, booze, and cigarettes. Wallace provided the pipes for other "Simpsons" characters, including Ms. Mellon in "Bart the Genius," Enchantra in "Marge Gamer," and Mrs. Krabapatra in "Simpsons Bible Stories."
In a statement to EW, "The Simpsons" producer Al Jean said, “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.” Jean added that Mrs. Krabappel would be retired on the animated comedy, now that Wallace has passed.
Wallace's quick wit and outsized personality made her a hilarious mainstay on the game-show circuit of the 1980s, appearing on "Hollywood Squares," "The $25,000 Pyramid," "Win, Lose or Draw," and "Match Game."
Wallace also starred in smaller roles on many popular TV series, such as "Murder, She Wrote," "Bewitched," "Columbo," "The Brady Bunch," and "A Different World."
Wallace — who would have turned 71 on November 1 — was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985, leading her to become an activist on the subject. In 2007, she received the Gilda Radner Courage Award for her efforts to educate others on the disease.
She is survived by a son, Michael Hawley, who co-starred with his mother in "Muffin Top."
As news of her passing broke Saturday, Wallace's friends took to Twitter to pay their respects and celebrate her life:
Cheers to the hilarious, kind, fab Marcia Wallace, who has taken her leave of us. Heaven is now a much funnier place b/c of you, Marcia. Xx
— Yeardley Smith (@YeardleySmith) October 26, 2013
R.I.P the brilliant Marcia Wallace who played Edna Krabappel in The Simpsons.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) October 26, 2013
Sad news. Dear dear Marcia Wallace has past. A tweet can't cover her legacy. She was funny, so funny, and a lovely beautiful person.
— David Silverman (@tubatron) October 26, 2013
Our dear sweet friend Marcia Wallace has died. A walking lesson in comedy. Long live Carol Kester & Edna Krabappel! pic.twitter.com/ms6JPuQ2NL
— Frank DeCaro (@frankdecaroshow) October 26, 2013
Devastated 2nite at passing of #Marciawallace dear friend 1 of the stars of my @MuffinTopMovie. She was my hero, cheered 4 me. Grrl Genius.
— Cathryn Michon (@thegrrlgenius) October 26, 2013
Had the true honor of working with Marcia Wallace when I was on The Simpsons who told me hilarious stories of Match Game PM. #Krabapple
— Andrew Kreisberg (@AJKreisberg) October 26, 2013
RIP the great Marcia Wallace. Funny lady and very nice too. #Carol #MrsCrabapple
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) October 26, 2013
RIP Marcia Wallace...from Bob Newhart's desk to detention w/ Bart to a whirlwind romance w/ Seymour, you will be missed. :( #MrsKrabappel
— Chris Hardwick (@nerdist) October 26, 2013
I used to do #marciawallace nails at CIA hair salon in Beverly Hills she was a doll and a class act
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) October 26, 2013
Watch Wallace as Carol Kester on "The Bob Newhart Show":