Actress Marcia Strassman Dead at 66

Strassman received her breakout role in the TV hit, "Welcome Back Kotter" in 1975

Actress Marcia Strassman has passed away after a long battle with breast cancer, according to Deadline. She was 66.

Her sister, Julie Strassman, confirmed the news to the publication Sunday afternoon. "She was the funniest, smartest person I ever met, and talented," she shared. "She knew everything. Now I won't be able to call her and ask her questions."

Born in New York City and raised in Passaic, New Jersey, Strassman left her hometown at 18 to travel west to Los Angeles in hopes of turning her dreams into a reality.

In 1975, she received her breakout role in the TV hit "Welcome Back Kotter," in which she played Gabe Kaplan's wife.

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Soon after, the actress received a steady amount of roles in projects such as "Tremors," "Third Watch," "Providence" and "The Rockford Files."

Strassman not only conquered the small screen. She also found big success in movies as she starred in "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and it's subsequent sequel. Who can forget Diane Szalinski?

When news broke, many in the industry immediately headed to Twitter to pay their respects.

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Strassman's last role was in the Hallmark Channel's "Looking for Mr. Right." The TV movie, which also starred Vivica A. Fox, premiered this past summer.

In lieu of flowers, Strassman's sister has asked fans to consider donating to an organization fighting cancer in her name.

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