Character actress Kathryn Kates, who appeared on “Seinfeld,” “Orange is the New Black” and “Law & Order: SVU,” is dead at age 73.
Her representatives at Headline Talent Agency told Deadline that Kates died Saturday of cancer in Florida.
“Kathryn has been our client for many years, and we have grown much closer to her in this last year since she knew of her cancer returning,” Headline Talent said in a statement. “She was always incredibly brave and wise and approached every role with the greatest of passion. She will be greatly missed.”
Kates appeared in more than 70 movies and TV shows, including a memorable role as a bakery counter clerk in two episodes of “Seinfeld,” 1994′s “The Dinner Party” (featuring a debate between chocolate and cinnamon babka) and 1996′s “The Rye.”
She also had recurring roles on “OITNB” as Amy Kanter-Bloom, the mother of Piper Chapman’s ex-fiancé (Jason Biggs); on Jennifer Lopez’s “Shades of Blue” as Mrs. Saperstein, the mother of Detective David Saperstein (Santino Fontana); and on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” as Judge Marlene Simons.
Kates’ credits included “Matlock,” “Caroline in the City,” “Lizzie McGuire,” “Rescue Me,” and the recent “The Sopranos” prequel film, “The Many Saints of Newark.” She also won Best Actress at the NYCTV Festival for last year’s short film “Welcome to Sarajevo.”
Deadline reports Kates was also a founding member of the Colony Theatre in Los Angeles, participating in on- and off-stage roles for more than 25 years. Her mother, Madlyn Kates, was also an actress who had a memorable role as the concierge in Mel Brooks’ 1968 movie “The Producers.”
Survivors include Kathryn’s sister, Mallory, and brother Joshua, as well as sister-in-laws Sue Ann and Gloria and nephew Ben.
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