Tributes paid to Broadway star and Gilmore Girls actress Elizabeth Franz following her death at 84

Tony-award winning actress Elizabeth Franz has died at the age of 84. Her husband Christopher Pelham told The New York Times that she passed away following a battle with cancer.

In an interview with Whats On Stage, Elizabeth Franz was asked about her career highlights and she said: “The original production of Brighton Beach Memoirs was definitely a highlight. I was in it for a very long time, and there were a lot of cast changes, so we were in rehearsal all the time, trying to put new people in.

“ In the three months after Matthew Broderick left, they tried out 17 different Eugene’s! I then did other things, but then Broadway Bound, the sequel to Brighton Beach Memoirs, arrived.

“I loved that, too, but for the final part of the trilogy, Biloxi Blues, there wasn’t a role for me. They did call me and said they might have to write a part in for me as I was the only one who could keep Matthew straight! He was cracking everyone up on stage!”

As well as winning a Tony award for Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman,’ Elizabeth Franz won an Obie Award in 1980 for her portrayal of a nun in

Christopher Durang’s ‘Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.’

When it comes to her TV roles, Elizabeth Franz appeared in shows such as Roseanne, Gilmore Girls, Law & Order and Judging Amy. The Facebook group for Gilmore Girls Fans paid tribute to Elizabeth and wrote: “RIP Elizabeth Franz who played Mia the Independence Inn owner.”

The Facebook group for Eat Like A Gilmore Cookbooks wrote: “Sad day in Gilmore Girls fandom.

“Just learned that Elizabeth Franz who played the original "Mia" has passed away.

“She was a Tony-winning actor, and a famous Broadway star most known for her role in Death of a Salesman.

“To us, she's a beloved member of the Gilmore family.

“May she rest in peace. ”

Keith Powell paid tribute to Elizabeth Franz on Instagram and wrote: “Elizabeth Franz has died. Before I became friends with her, through my late and great mentor/friend Kent Paul (RIP, cherished friend!), I saw her in DEATH OF A SALESMAN on Broadway (a role she won a Tony for). It was one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen in my life. Let me tell you why:

“Before Elizabeth, the role of Linda Loman was always seen as a tragic afterthought. Someone who suffers on the sidelines and reminds you of her suffering at the end of the play.

“What Elizabeth did with the part was, to a young aspiring actors mind, revolutionary. She made Linda sexual. And active. And ANGRY. I mean, it was a complete 180 performance. It blew my mind.

“I walked away from that show learning something I keep with me to this very day that I say to actors when I direct them:

“You’re a creative artist. Not a Xerox machine. You don’t show up to interpret someone else’s imagination — you show up to bring your own. You build.

“You shape. You create. If the room only expects you to color inside the lines, fine… draw new lines. Find yourself in every role. Make choices only you can make.

“When we became friends, I saw her in performance after performance for decades and she brought her own unique spin on every single role she played.

“What an inspiration. Rest easy, you beautiful creative.”