Cynthia Szigeti

Cynthia Szigeti (October 26, 1949 – August 10, 2016) was an American comic actress and acting teacher, known for her work at the Groundlings, an improv and sketch comedy troupe and school in Los Angeles, and the ACME Comedy Theatre. Her students included Adam Carolla, Will Forte, Lisa Kudrow, Joel McHale, Conan O'Brien and Julia Sweeney. Her professional acting credits included National Lampoon's European Vacation, as well as roles in Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

During the 1980s, Szigeti returned to The Groundlings to run the school. Describing her approach at ACME, Szigeti emphasized direct, hands-on instruction and encouraged students to perform at the highest level of their intelligence rather than appeal to the lowest common denominator. She later taught at Keep It Real Acting

Szigeti's improv students at The Groundlings and the ACME Comedy Theatre included Adam Carolla, Will Forte, Joel McHale, Conan O'Brien, Cheri Oteri and Julia Sweeney. Kudrow later called Szigeti "the best thing that happened, on so many levels" and credited her with changing her perspective on acting. Szigeti also encouraged Kudrow to create her first "dumb" or "airhead" character, an idea Kudrow had initially resisted.

Outside of improv, Szigeti accumulated her own numerous film and television credits, which spanned several decades. Her film credits included I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977), You Light Up My Life (1977), The Gong Show Movie (1980), Repo Man (1984), The Wrong Guys (1988) and Up Close and Personal (1996). Her television sitcom roles included WKRP in Cincinnati, Gimme a Break!, Married... with Children, Who's the Boss?, Empty Nest, The Norm Show, The King of Queens and Curb Your Enthusiasm (Season 1, Episode 10).

Most notably, Szigeti played Jerry Seinfeld's former high school girlfriend in a 1991 episode of Seinfeld called "The Library". In the episode, Seinfeld tracks down Szigeti's character to use her as an alibi for a borrowed book which he never returned to the New York Public Library.

Death and legacy

Szigeti died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at her home in Los Angeles on August 10, 2016, at the age of 66. Gunnar Todd Rohrbacher, an acting coach, founder of Actors Comedy Studio, and another of Szigeti's former students wrote a tribute to Szigeti, noting, "She was definitely intimidating, unapologetic, shockingly intelligent, generous, joyful and demanding... She would tell stories that included names like Bruce Springsteen, Robin Williams, Martin Short, Robert Redford and Helen Mirren. If you studied with her, your life was changed, and it was that simple."

Filmography The Big Bus (1976) - Bus Passenger #21 Prime Time a.k.a. American Raspberry (1977) - Dawn I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) - Nurse You Light Up My Life (1977) - Cousin The Gong Show Movie (1980) - Diner Doll Sophie What's Up, Hideous Sun Demon (1983) - Nurse Darlene Repo Man (1984) - Deidre, U.F.O. Lady Johnny Dangerously (1984) - Mrs. Capone National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) - Mrs. Froeger Hunk (1987) - Chachka The Wrong Guys (1988) - Spa Matron 976-EVIL (1988) - Female Operator A Sinful Life (1989) - Mrs. Crow Midnight Ride (1990) - Mrs. Egan Where the Day Takes You (1991) - Counselor Man of the Year (1995) - Betty Levy Beverly Hills 90210 (1995) - Madame Raven Up Close and Personal (1996) - Focus Group Member #6 Nobody Knows Anything! (2003) - Jimmy's Mother Diamonds and Guns (2008) - Mrs. Antignatti Married With Children Season 07. Episode 16. - Bertha