'Simpsons' star Marcia Wallace dies at 70 - Chicago Tribune

Actress Marcia Wallace. (Handout photo / October 26, 2013)

Reuters

11:58 a.m. CDT, October 26, 2013

Marcia Wallace, the star of "€œThe Bob Newhart Show"€ and "€œThe Simpsons," died Friday, according to a several media reports. She was 70 and had reportedly been in ill health, although her the cause of her condition was not specified.

Wallace'€™s blazing red hair and bubbly delivery were tailor made for the role of the straight-laced Newhart'€™s daffy receptionist on the hit CBS show. In fact, the part was written specifically for her at the behest of CBS founder Bill Paley.

She would remain with "€œThe Bob Newhart Show"€ for its six-season run before seguewaying into guest appearances on shows like €"ALF"€ and "€œMurphy Brown,"€ and becoming a regular presence on game shows such as "€œThe 25,000 Pyramid"€ and €"Hollywood Squares."

She would also build a second career as a voice-over actress, giving life to Edna Krabappel, Bart Simpson's cynical fourth grade teacher on "The Simpsons."€ The role, a sublime parody of disaffected instruction, earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992.

Wallace'€™s career began with a semi-regular stint on the "Merv Griffin Show,"€ and also involved successful forays on the New York and Los Angeles state where she appeared in productions of "€œThe Vagina Monologues,"€ '€œGypsy"€ and "€œPrisoner of Second Avenue."

Wallace was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985 and became involved in charitable groups involved with treating the disease.

She is survived by a son. She is predeceased by a husband, Dennis.