Marsha Kramer, who played the role of Margaret, the assistant of Jay Pritchett (Ed O’Neill) on the popular ABC sitcom Modern Family, passed away on January 23, 2020 at the age of 74. The cause of her death is still unknown, according to IMDb. Her fans and colleagues have expressed their sadness and condolences on social media.
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A Long-Time Friend of Modern Family
Marsha Kramer appeared in 14 episodes of Modern Family over the last seven years, as the loyal and witty assistant of Jay, the patriarch of the Pritchett family. Her character often had hilarious interactions with Jay’s wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and his son Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Her last appearance was on the episode that aired on January 22, 2020, in which her character comes out of retirement to work very briefly for Jay’s granddaughter Alex (Ariel Winter).
Modern Family casting director Jeff Greenberg took to Twitter to pay tribute to the actress, who died the next day. He wrote, “So sad to hear that my long time friend, Marsha Kramer passed away yesterday at the age of 74. She was so delightful in the 14 eps she shot as Margaret on Modern Family over the last 7 yrs, but I’ll always remember her soaring aloft as Wendy to Sandy Duncan’s Peter Pan. #RIP”
A Versatile and Talented Performer
Marsha Kramer was a Chicago native who started her career in theater. She performed on Broadway as Wendy in the 1979 Peter Pan musical opposite Sandy Duncan as the title character. She also appeared in other plays such as The Night of the Iguana and All My Sons.
She made her transition to television and film in the 1980s, appearing in shows such as Newhart, Cheers, Frasier, ER, NCIS, and Dr. Ken. She also had roles in movies such as Jumper, Red Riding Hood, and The Great Gatsby.
She was known for her comedic timing, her expressive voice, and her warm personality. She was loved and respected by her peers and fans alike.
A Loss for the Modern Family
Marsha Kramer’s death came as a shock to the Modern Family cast and crew, who were in the midst of filming the final season of the show. The show, which premiered in 2009, has won 22 Emmy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards, and has been praised for its portrayal of diverse and relatable families.
The show’s co-creator and executive producer Steve Levitan said, “We are heartbroken to hear of Marsha Kramer’s passing. She was a wonderful actress and a lovely person. She will be missed by everyone who knew her and worked with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”
The show’s stars also expressed their grief and gratitude for working with Marsha Kramer. Ed O’Neill said, “Marsha was a joy to work with. She was always professional, always prepared, and always funny. She was a great partner and a great friend. I will miss her terribly.” Sofia Vergara said, “Marsha was a beautiful soul. She was so kind and generous to me and everyone on the set. She made me laugh so much with her amazing sense of humor. She was like a mother to me. I will always remember her with love and respect.” Jesse Tyler Ferguson said, “Marsha was a brilliant actress and a wonderful human being. She brought so much life and energy to every scene she was in. She was a mentor and a role model to me and many others. She was a part of our Modern Family and we will never forget her.”
Marsha Kramer’s legacy will live on through her work and her memory. She will always be remembered as a talented and beloved actress, a loyal and witty assistant, and a modern family member. Rest in peace, Marsha Kramer.
