Broadway has lost one of its brightest stars.
Elizabeth Franz — Tony Award–winning actress and beloved Gilmore Girls alum — has died at 84.
Her husband, Christopher Pelham, told The New York Times she passed away at home in Woodbury, Connecticut, after battling cancer and suffering a severe reaction to treatment. The news has left the theater world and TV fans grieving the loss of a formidable American talent.
A powerhouse performer
Often called “America’s Judi Dench,” Franz first gained attention in the Off-Broadway hit Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, a role she originated and for which she earned an Obie Award.
Her most celebrated performance came in the 1999 Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman, where her portrayal of Linda Loman opposite Brian Dennehy won her a Tony. Even Arthur Miller praised her emotional depth. She later reprised the role in Showtime’s 2000 adaptation, earning an Emmy nomination.
Across six decades, Franz shined in major stage productions—including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Morning’s at Seven, The Cherry Orchard, and The Miracle Worker—as well as films like Jacknife, Sabrina, and Christmas with the Kranks. TV audiences knew her from Gilmore Girls, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order, Homeland, and more.
Early hardship, lifelong passion
Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1941, Franz grew up in a troubled home marked by financial struggle and her mother’s mental illness. Her father’s emotional decline after losing his factory job left a lasting impact on her, and acting became her refuge. She later trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Franz was married twice—first to actor Edward Binns, and later to Christopher Pelham, who was with her until her death. She is survived by Pelham and her brother, Joe.