HOLLYWOOD—Tony and Emmy nominated actress Charlotte Rae, 92, famous for her role as Edna Garrett on the TV series “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Facts of Life” died on Sunday, August 5, at her Los Angeles home surrounded by family and loved ones.
Rae first began her acting career on Broadway before she moved to Hollywood and became a sitcom star. In 1951, she married John Strauss and the couple had two children together, Andrew and Larry. Rae and Strauss’s marriage lasted for 25 years until their divorce in 1976. Twenty-three years later, their son Andrew died in 1999.
Rae’s cause of death has not been disclosed, but according to reports she battled several illnesses including pancreatic cancer and bone cancer. Several of Rae’s co-stars took to Twitter to share their condolences.
Todd Bridges tweeted: “Different Strokes would not have been the same without #CharlotteRae. You were loved by everyone on the facts of life will miss you. My heart is full of Pain. Rest in peace my friend.”
Rae began her role as Mrs. Garrett in 1978 on the series which starred Bridges, Conrad Bain and Gary Colemen which aired until 1986. She continued her role as Mrs. Garrett on the show’s spin-off series “Facts of Life” which aired from 1979 through 1988 and starred Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn.
Rae is survived by her son, sister, and three grandchildren.
