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Tony-Winning ‘Gilmore Girls’ Actress Passed Away At Age 84

Veteran actress Elizabeth Franz has died at age 84 at her home in Woodbury, Connecticut, following a battle with cancer and complications from her treatment. She passed away on November 4, her husband, screenwriter Christopher Pelham, confirmed to The New York Times. He said her death was caused by the illness and a “severe reaction” to treatment.

Elizabeth was best known for her award-winning performance as Linda Loman in the 50th-anniversary Broadway production of Death of a Salesman. Her powerful portrayal earned her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play in 1999.

She also had a long and steady career on television. Franz appeared on Gilmore Girls as Mia Halloway, the warm and supportive new owner of the Independence Inn who acted as a mentor to Lorelai. Her TV credits also included roles on Roseanne, Law & Order: SVU, Grey’s Anatomy, and many other popular series.

Franz’s most celebrated achievement came in 1999 when she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Linda Loman in the 50th-anniversary Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman. Her performance, hailed as emotionally rich and heartbreakingly real, remains one of the defining interpretations of the iconic character. She reprised the role in the TV film adaptation, further cementing her legacy in American theater.

While reflecting on Death of a Salesman in a 1999 New York Times feature, Franz also spoke candidly about her childhood in Akron, Ohio.

She shared that her father worked in a tire factory, while her mother was a waitress who struggled with mental illness. Her mother’s unpredictable behavior often frightened her growing up, she recalled, according to PEOPLE.

My grandmother would hide me in her closet,” Franz recalled. ” ‘I remember holding onto my father and saying, ‘She’ll come back.’ ”

Elizabeth Franz (1940–2024) was an acclaimed American actress known for her powerful stage presence and memorable television roles. Born on June 18, 1940, in Akron, Ohio, she built a career that spanned more than five decades, earning respect as a versatile performer who brought depth and compassion to every role.

Throughout her long career, Franz appeared in numerous Broadway and regional productions, including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Morning’s at Seven, The Cemetery Club, and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You. She was admired for her ability to balance dramatic intensity with warmth and subtle humor.

She also appeared in several films, including the 1995 remake of Sabrina and Christmas With the Kranks. Her final onscreen role was in the 2015 film Take Me to the River.

Franz is survived by her husband, Christopher Pelham, and her brother, Joe. She was previously married to character actor Edward Binns, who died in 1990.

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