LOS ANGELES (AP) Kathryn Joosten, the Emmy-winning character actress best known as the crotchety but lovable Karen McCluskey on Desperate Housewives and the presidents secretary on The West Wing, died on Saturday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 72.
Life Mimics Fiction, Kathryn Joosten of "Desperate Housewives" Dies Twice of Lung Cancer
Kathryn Joosten who just died on "Desperate Housewives" of lung cancer three weeks ago, died in real life of it today.
From the AP:
Matt Sayles/Associated Press
Kathryn Joosten
Ms. Joostens death was confirmed by her family. She had suffered from lung cancer for 11 years.
Ms. Joosten won two Emmy awards for her portrayal of Mrs. McCluskey, who kept a close eye on her Wisteria Lane neighbors on Desperate Housewives. The hit show ended its eight-year run on ABC last month with a series finale in which Ms. Joostens character died. Her characters own battle with cancer was a story line in the show.
She became a familiar face to fans of The West Wing on NBC when she appeared as Dolores Landingham , President Jed Bartlets trusted secretary.
In real life Ms. Joosten was a psychiatric nurse and single mother in suburban Chicago when she began her acting career at 42. She wrote on her Web site that she pursued her childhood dream of acting after getting involved with her hometown theater in Lake Forest, Ill.
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Nowthat'sresearching a role!
I actually watched the last episode, and her passing was a very touching scene. It must have taken a lot for her to do it, given that she knew her days were numbered.