Cynthia Lynn of 'Hogan's Heroes' Dies at 76
Cynthia Lynn is latest beloved sitcom star we've lost.
Mar. 12, 2014— -- intro: Cynthia Lynn, one of the last remaining cast members of the 1960s’ sitcom "Hogan's Heroes," died Monday in Los Angeles at age 76.
Variety, which first reported the news, said Lynn had been suffering from hepatitis.
Her daughter, Lisa Brando, confirmed the news on her Facebook page Tuesday, writing, "Just wanted to thank you all so much for all your prayers and support during this difficult time. My mother will be truly missed. All my love to you and all her loving fans."
Earlier, Brando wrote that her mother had been hospitalized Monday with liver failure. "We are heartbroken and devastated as this was totally unexpected," she said.
Lynn played Fraulein Helga during the first season of the military comedy and returned for a couple more episodes before the series ended in 1971. She also appeared in "Mission: Impossible," "The Odd Couple" and "The Six Million Dollar Man" before leaving acting in 1975 after an episode of "Harry O."
Brando was her only daughter. After the actor Marlon Brando died, Lynn's daughter revealed that he had been her father. Lynn met the actor on the set of "Bedtime Story."
Born Zinta Valda Zimilis, in Riga, Latvia, Lynn chronicled her family's journey from Latvia to Germany to the United States during and after World War II in her memoir, "Escape to Freedom: a Biography of Cynthia Lynn." She also told of her relationship with "Hogan's Heroes" star Bob Crane.
Read the Private Passions of Bob Crane
Lynn joins a list of beloved sitcom stars we've lost in the past year. Click through to see some others.
quicklist:title: Russell Johnsontext: Russell Johnson, best known for playing the Professor on "Gilligan's Island," died Jan. 16 at age 89. According to the actor's wife, Constance, the cause was kidney failure. "He died at home, peaceful, in his sleep at 5:21 a.m. today," she said. "[He was] a very brave guy who knew what he wanted, and he wanted to be at home."
Originally from northeastern Pennsylvania, Johnson served in World War II before pursuing an acting career. He acted in several TV programs in the 1950s and '60s, including "The Adventures of Superman," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Twilight Zone." But his most famous role came along in 1964: The Professor on "Gilligan's Island." media: 22879158
quicklist:title: Dave Maddentext: Classic sitcom fans mourned the loss of another beloved star on the same day Johnson died. Dave Madden, who played the child-hating agent on the hit 1970s sitcom "The Partridge Family," also died on Jan. 16 at age 82. Madden was best known for his role as Reuben Kinkaid, who managed the Partridge family band and clashed frequently with Danny Bonaduce's character. Before "The Partridge Family," Madden was part of the ensemble on "Laugh-In" and after he landed a recurring role as one of the customers at Mel's Diner on the long-running sitcom "Alice." He also appeared on "Bewitched," ''Barney Miller," ''Happy Days," ''The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island."media: 22879765
quicklist:title: James Averytext: The year began with the loss of James Avery, the actor who played Uncle Phil on "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air." Avery died Jan. 1 from complications of open heart surgery in Glendale, Calif., his publicist Cynthia Snyder told ABC News. In addition to his most famous role on the sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," he also lent his voice to several animated TV series, including "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" and "Iron Man." He also appeared on the big screen in films including "Dr. Dolittle 2" and "License to Drive," and hosted the travel series "Going Places" on PBS. Most recently, Avery worked on Zach Braff's film, "Wish I Was Here," which will premiere at the Sundance film festival. media: 22878865
quicklist:title: Marcia Wallacetext: When Marcia Wallace died at age 70 Oct. 25, 2013, generations of fans mourned the actress who was the voice of scoffing schoolteacher Edna Krabappel on "The Simpsons" and played wisecracking receptionist Carol on "The Bob Newhart Show" in the 1970s. Wallace’s character on the "Simpsons" was so beloved that executive producer decided to retire her after the actress' death. In addition to her breakout role in "The Bob Newhart Show," Wallace appeared on "Murphy Brown" "Full House" and ''7th Heaven."media: 22878198
quicklist:title: Bonnie Franklintext: Bonnie Franklin, best known for her role as a single mom on the 1970s-'80s sitcom "One Day at a Time," died March 1, 2013, at age 69 of complications from pancreatic cancer. As divorced mother Ann Romano struggling to raise her teenage daughters, played by Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips, Franklin was groundbreaking. The show became an anthem for a generation grappling with difficult issues never portrayed before on a sitcom. media: 22879950
quicklist:title: Lou Myerstext: Lou Meyers, the character actor best known for playing the feisty restaurant owner Mr. Vernon Gaines in the hit 1980s sitcom "A Different World," died at age 76 Feb. 19, 2013. A spokeswoman for his non-profit organization told The Associated Press that Myers had been in and out of the hospital in the months before he died. In addition to his most famous role, Myers appeared in several films and on the stage.media: 22879578
Related Stories
ABC News Live