‘Orange is the New Black,’ ‘Seinfeld’ actress Kathryn Kates dead at 73

KATE FELDMAN

Character actress Kathryn Kates, a New York City native known for recurring roles on “Seinfeld” and “Orange is the New Black,” died Saturday at age 73 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.

“She was incredibly brave, thoughtful, wise and loving. Kathryn approached every role she ever played, as well as her daily life with the greatest of passion,” her agent, Ben Jordan, told the Daily News in a statement. “We will do our best to honor her incredible legacy. The world truly lost one of the good ones.”

Kathryn Kates
Kathryn Kates


Kathryn Kates (Walter McBride/)

Kates moved from her hometown New York to Los Angeles in 1974 to pursue acting, according to her personal website. She started in theater, then moved to the small screen, booking a recurring role on “Seinfeld” as the Counter Woman and as the nosy neighbor on “Lizzie McGuire.”

More recently, Kates played the mother of Jason Biggs’ character on “Orange is the New Black” and Angie DeCarlo in “The Many Saints of Newark.”

Peter Robbins, the original voice of the "Peanuts" character Charlie Brown, died at the age of 65, his family confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Robbins cause of death is reportedly suicide.
Peter Robbins, the original voice of the "Peanuts" character Charlie Brown, died at the age of 65, his family confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Robbins cause of death is reportedly suicide.
Kathryn Kates, known for her roles in "Seinfeld" and "Orange Is The Black," died on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 73.
Kathryn Kates, known for her roles in "Seinfeld" and "Orange Is The Black," died on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 73.
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Back in New York since 2006, Kates returned to the stage for more than 20 Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway shows. She also did touring productions through Bucharest, Sibiu and Stockholm.

“Keep me alive in your beautiful hearts with unforgettable memories,” reads a final message on her personal Instagram. “Teach others what you’ve learned from me and I will live in forever.”

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