Sada Thompson

Sada Carolyn Thompson (September 27, 1927 – May 4, 2011) was an American stage, film, and television actress. Though best known to television audiences as Kate Lawrence in Family (1976–1980), for which she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1978, Thompson originally won acclaim as a theater actress on Broadway winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Twigs in 1972.

Life and career She was born Sada Carolyn Thompson in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1927 to Hugh Woodruff Thompson and his wife Corlyss (née Gibson). The family moved to Fanwood, New Jersey a few years later. where she attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, graduating in the class of 1945. Thompson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now known as Carnegie Mellon University),

She made her Off-Broadway debut in a 1955 production of Under Milk Wood,

On the strength of her success in Twigs, Thompson was signed to play neighbor Irene Lorenzo on All in the Family. After taping her first episode, however, she was replaced by Betty Garrett, when it became obvious that she and producer Norman Lear had different opinions about how the character should be played. Thompson's additional television credits included Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law, The Love Boat, Father Dowling Mysteries, Andre's Mother, Indictment: The McMartin Trial, ER and Law & Order. Her feature films included The Pursuit of Happiness, Desperate Characters, and Pollock.

Personal life Thompson was married to Donald E. Stewart from December 18, 1949, until her death.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1971 The Pursuit of Happiness Ruth Lawrence 1971 Desperate Characters Claire 1976 The Entertainer Phoebe Rice Television movie 1977 Our Town Mrs. Gibbs Television movie 1983 Princess Daisy Masha Television movie 1986 My Two Loves Dorothea Television movie 1987 Father Dowling Mysteries Maria Pello Television movie 1989 Home Fires Burning Pastine Tibbetts 1989 Fear Stalk Pearl Television movie 1990 Andre's Mother Katharine Gerard Television movie 1995 Indictment: The McMartin Trial Virginia McMartin Television movie 1997 Any Mother's Son Gertie Television movie 1998 The Patron Saint of Liars Sister Evangeline Television movie 2000 Pollock Stella Pollock

Television Year Title Role Notes 1961 Camera Three Rosalyn Episode: "The Cracked Looking Glass" 1963 The Nurses Mrs. Mitchell Episode: "The Helping Hand" 1964 The DuPont Show of the Week Judy Episode: "The Missing Bank of Rupert X. Humperdinck" 1973 Love Story Mamma Cassalini Episode: "Joie" 1974–76 Lincoln Mary Todd Lincoln 5 episodes 1976–80 Family Kate Lawrence 86 episodes 1982 Marco Polo Aunt Flora 2 episodes 1986 The Love Boat Laura Jameson 2 episodes 1991 Cheers Mama Lozupone Episode: "Honor Thy Mother" 1993 Alex Haley's Queen Miss Mandy 3 episodes 1995 Law & Order Elaine Nicodos Episode: "Jeopardy"

Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result 1976 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Lincoln 1976 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie The Entertainer 1977 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Drama Family 1977 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 1978 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 1979 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Drama 1979 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 1980 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Drama 1980 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 1991 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Cheers 1995 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Indictment: The McMartin Trial