Broadway and television are mourning the death of Elizabeth Franz, the Tony Award–winning actress who died at 84 at her home in Connecticut. Her husband confirmed she passed after “a battle with cancer and a severe reaction to treatment.”

Often called “America’s Judi Dench,” Franz spent six decades shaping American theater. She first gained attention Off-Broadway, originating Sister Mary Ignatius in Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, a role that earned her an Obie Award — and, unexpectedly, the friendship of nuns who protested the show.

Her most celebrated performance came as Linda Loman in the 1999 Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman. Arthur Miller praised her for rediscovering a side of Linda that had often been “washed out.” She reprised the role in Showtime’s 2000 adaptation, earning an Emmy nomination. Franz also shined in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Morning’s at Seven, The Cherry Orchard, The Miracle Worker, and Uncle Vanya.

Franz appeared in films with major stars, including Robert De Niro in Jacknife, Harrison Ford in Sabrina, and Jamie Lee Curtis in Christmas with the Kranks. TV audiences remember her as Mia on Gilmore Girls and from Grey’s Anatomy, Homeland, Judging Amy, Law & Order, SVU, and Cold Case.

Her artistry grew from a difficult childhood in Akron, where her father’s job loss “broke him emotionally,” and her mother struggled with mental illness. Acting became her refuge.

She is survived by her husband Christopher Pelham and her brother Joe. Elizabeth Franz leaves behind a legacy of honesty, strength, and unforgettable performances.