'Simpsons' star Marcia Wallace Dies at age 70
'Simpsons' star Marcia Wallace Dies at age 70
Some sad news this weekend.
Marcia Wallace, the longest-running guest star on The Simpsons, has passed away at age 70. The actress was responsible for voicing Edna Krabappel, Bart Simpson's teacher and current wife to Ned Flanders. The cause of death is currently unknown.
The news was confirmed on Twitter by Yeardley Smith, who voices Lisa Simpson on the long-running FOX series.
Cheers to the hilarious, kind, fab Marcia Wallace, who has taken her leave of us. Heaven is now a much funnier place b/c of you, Marcia. Xx
— Yeardley Smith (@YeardleySmith) October 26, 2013
Wallace has been a guest star since the show's first season, and has appeared in well over 170 episodes of the animated comedy, roughly a quarter of the show's total amount of episodes. She continued to make appearances well into the show's current season, its 25th. Throughout a career that lasted over forty years, Wallace has won an Emmy for her voicework as Edna Krabappel, as well as acclaim for such beloved roles as Carol Kester Bondurant on The Bob Newhart Show.
No word just yet on how FOX plans to address Wallace's death on The Simpsons, although rumors have been rampant that the series would be writing off a character this season. It's possible that Wallace's reduced role in season 25 was in preparation for the character's eventual departure. Either way, I doubt anyone would have wanted or expected the character to have to depart under these circumstances. Just a sad story, all around.
Our condolences go out to Ms. Wallace's family and loved ones.