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Multi-talented actress Lynne Thigpen was born Cherlynne Thigpen in Joliet, Illinois, on December 22, 1948. She performed in community theater and university theater productions while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Following graduation, she taught high-school English for a short time, but her interest in acting eventually prevailed over teaching. Her desire to act professionally was further fueled by a strong set of vocal chops.

Moving to New York, Lynne subsequently won a singing role as part of the ragtag disciple ensemble in the hip, flower-powered musical "Godspell" in 1971. Two years later she transferred her role to film along with several other members of the original stage cast. Godspell (1973) opened a major door for the actress as a performer of boundless energy and vocal power, as exemplified by her rousing version of "O Bless the Lord My Soul."

Lynne continued on the 1970s musical stage with roles in "The Magic Show" and the blue-collar piece "Working," and in 1981 earned a Tony nomination for her powerhouse performance in "Tintypes." She eventually reasoned, however, that if she was to be taken seriously as a dramatic actress, she would need to refocus her energies. She then abandoned her tuneful ways and ventured assertively into films and TV.

During her 30-year career, Lynne went on to appear in nearly 40 movies and numerous television series, usually secondary in nature but alternately fiery and dignified in character. Lynne became a strong, set-jawed figure in social and urban drama as she managed to avoid the easy pitfalls of typecasting. Though most of her early film parts seemed small and insignificant, she continued to grow and gain a more assured footing while appearing in such popular features as Tootsie (1982), Sweet Liberty (1986), Hello Again (1987), and Running on Empty (1988).

Every now and then she was given a chance to shine, as with her volatile school parent in Lean on Me (1989). TV was a more palpable and productive medium for her with a stand-out recurring role as a judge on L.A. Law (1986) and a long-running part on the daytime soap All My Children (1970). She also committed herself to wholesome viewing for children, portraying the unnamed Chief on the PBS children's series Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991) and Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? (1996), earning four Emmy nominations in the process.

Throughout the years, Lynne remained a vital force on the stage. She won a Los Angeles Drama Critics award for her performance in August Wilson's "Fences," two off-Broadway Obies for Athol Fugard's "Boesman and Lena" (1992) and "Jar the Floor" (2000), and a Tony for "Best Supporting Actress" for her portrayal of a half-Black, half-Jewish feminist in "An American Daughter" (1997).

Other strong theater roles came with "A Month of Sundays" (1987) and as a spunky 101-year-old maiden woman in "Having Our Say." Lynne's dusky-voiced command was also utilized to narrate more than 20 socially relevant books on tape. Her last regular TV series role was as police clerk and computer expert Ella Farmer on The District (2000), a role she played until her sudden death.

Lynne was found unconscious at her home in Marina del Rey, California, by a friend. She died on March 12, 2003, age 54, of a cerebral hemorrhage. Her final film Anger Management (2003), which starred Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson, was released posthumously.

(1987) Stage: Appeared in <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0933025/?ref_=nmwrk">August Wilson</a>&#39;s &quot;Fences&quot; on Broadway. Also in cast: <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0001850/?ref_=nmwrk">Billy Dee Williams</a>.

Video game: Appeared (as &quot;The Chief&quot;) in &quot;Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego&quot;.

Audio book: Narrated <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0607339/?ref_=nmwrk">Toni Morrison</a>&#39;s &quot;Jazz&quot;.

(1989-92) Radio: Regular cast member of <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0445087/?ref_=nmwrk">Garrison Keillor</a>&#39;s &quot;American Radio Company of the Air&quot; his replacement for &quot;Prairie Home Companion&quot;.

Audio book: Narrated <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0607339/?ref_=nmwrk">Toni Morrison</a>&#39;s &quot;Song of Solomon&quot;.

Audio book: Narrated <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0301318/?ref_=nmwrk">Ernest J. Gaines</a>&#39; &quot;The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman&quot;.

Audio book: Narrated <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0403678/?ref_=nmwrk">Zora Neale Hurston</a>&#39;s &quot;Their Eyes Were Watching God&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;Godspell&quot;.

(1996) Stage: Appeared in &quot;An American Daughter&quot; on Broadway. NOTE: She won the Tony Award as Best Actress, Featured Role--Play.

(1981) Stage: Appeared in &quot;Tintypes&quot; on Broadway. NOTE: Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress, Featured Role--Musical.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;A Month of Sundays&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;Working&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;The Magic Show&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;Jar the Floor&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;Having Our Say&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;Boesman and Lena&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;Balm in Gilead&quot;.

Stage: Appeared in a production of &quot;The Best Man&quot;.

(March 7 to May 3, 1981) She acted in Mary Kyte, Mel Marvin and Gary Pearle&#39;s play, &quot;Tintypes,&quot; in a the West Coast premiere at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California with Trey Wilson, Mary Catherine Wilson and Jerry Zaks in the cast. Gary Pearle was also director. Tom Lynch was choreographer. Jess Goldstein was set designer. Carolyn Mignini was costume designer.

(September 8 to October 27, 1996) She acted in Emily Mann&#39;s adaptation of Sara L. Delaney, A. Elizabeth Delaney and Amy Hill Hearth&#39;s book, &quot;Having Our Say,&quot; at the Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, California with Frances Foster in the cast. Walter Dallas was director. Edward E. Jones was scenic designer. D. Martyn Bookwalter was lighting designer. Dana R. Woods was costume designer.

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Lynne Thigpen

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