Lynne Marta, one of the stars of the hit 1984 musical drama film Footloose, has died following a cancer battle. She was 78.
The actress died on January 12 in her Los Angeles home, friend Chris Saint-Hilaire confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Her death comes a week after that of her former partner David Soul, of Starsky & Hutch fame.
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Another friend of Marta’s, Joan Sobel, shared a tribute for the star on Facebook, posting a single headshot.
“We lost a beautiful light today. My friend, Lynne Marta lost her good fight,” Sobel said.
“A wonderfully talented actress and a beautiful singer whose voice was of the angels.
“A dear heart who adored her friends both human and furry. I will miss her terribly.”
Some of Marta’s top acting credits include the TV medical drama ER and the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives.
She began her career in 1966 playing a character on the sitcom Gidget, alongside actress Sally Field.
Following Gidget, Marta had a long run of guest appearances on TV shows including Charlie’s Angels, Mod Squad and Gunsmoke.
She went on to work in Clint Eastwood’s 1972 western film Joe Kidd as Elma.
And in 1984 she played Lulu Warnicker, the aunt of Kevin Bacon’s character Ren in Footloose.
Her final acting credit is from the 2004 TV series American Dreams.
Marta was a witness in the murder trial of the man accused in 1989 of shooting actress Rebecca Schaeffer, who was best known for the TV comedy My Sister Sam.
The actresses lived on the same apartment floor and Marta heard the gunshot go off along with screaming.
Marta made the 911 call.
Robert John Bardo, who had stalked Schaeffer for three years, was convicted of the murder, which prompted tougher anti-stalking laws in California.
Marta’s death comes a week after that of her ex-partner, actor and singer David Soul.
Soul, 80, was best known for the 1970s police action series Starsky & Hutch and for the songs Don’t Give Up on Us Baby and Silver Lady.
He died on January 4.
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