Elizabeth Franz, the Tony-winning and Emmy-nominated actress known for her role in *Death of a Salesman*, has died at the age of 84. She passed away on November 4 at her home in Woodbury, Connecticut, due to cancer and a severe reaction to her treatment medication, her husband Christopher Pelham told *The New York Times*.
A veteran performer, Franz was prolific and versatile on stage, appearing in numerous plays both on and off Broadway. Among her notable roles were the titular nun in Christopher Durang’s *Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You*, for which she won an Obie Award in 1982; Matthew Broderick’s on-stage mother in Neil Simon’s *Brighton Beach Memoirs*, which earned her a Tony nomination in 1983; and the youngest of four sisters in Paul Osborn’s *Morning’s at Seven*, for which she received another Tony nomination in 2002.
However, her most memorable role was her subversive portrayal of Linda Loman in the 1999 Broadway production of *Death of a Salesman*, opposite Brian Dennehy as Willy Loman. Franz chose to interpret Linda with a more assertive edge than previous actresses. This powerful choice caught the attention of playwright Arthur Miller himself, who told *The New York Times* that she “has discovered in the role the basic underlying powerful protectiveness, which comes out as fury, and that in the past, in every performance I know of, was simply washed out.” Her performance earned her the 1999 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
Franz reprised the role of Linda Loman in Showtime’s 2000 television adaptation of *Death of a Salesman*, garnering an Emmy nomination for her work. She shared with *The New York Times* that her portrayal was inspired by her father’s experiences as a blue-collar worker. Her father, who had dedicated nearly four decades to his factory job, was fired following an illness that kept him away for several months. He passed away the day he paid off his mortgage—a parallel that Franz saw reflected in Willy Loman’s story. “It killed my father, really,” she told *The Star-Ledger* in 1999, referring to his firing. “He didn’t commit suicide, like Willy. He didn’t have to.”
Franz also appeared in a variety of other Broadway productions, including *The Cherry Orchard*, *Getting Married*, *Uncle Vanya*, and *The Miracle Worker*. Her film credits include *School Ties* (1992), *Sabrina* (1995), *The Substance of Fire* (1996), and *Christmas with the Kranks* (2004).
On television, she made guest appearances on shows such as *Roseanne*, *The Equalizer*, *Judging Amy*, *Law & Order*, *Homeland*, *Gilmore Girls*, and *Grey’s Anatomy*, as well as on soap operas including *Another World* and *As the World Turns*.
Born on June 18, 1941, in Akron, Ohio, Franz was inspired to become an actress after seeing Loretta Young in *The Bishop’s Wife* (1947). After graduating high school, she worked as a secretary to raise funds for her enrollment at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, from which she graduated in 1962. Shortly afterward, she began performing in local theaters, including productions in her hometown.
In 1983, Franz married character actor Edward Binns, with whom she often collaborated on stage. He passed away in 1990. She is survived by her husband Christopher Pelham, a screenwriter, and her brother Joe.
Elizabeth Franz’s remarkable career and powerful performances have left an indelible mark on the world of theater and screen, remembered fondly by audiences and colleagues alike.
https://deadline.com/2025/11/elizabeth-franz-dead-death-of-a-salesman-actress-broadway-1236618767/