Lynne Marta has died aged 78 after being diagnosed with cancer.
The actor was famed for playing the aunt of Kevin Bacon’s character Ren – Lulu Warnicker – in the beloved 1984 film Footloose which also starred Sarah Jessica Parker.
Her death was announced by her friend Chris Saint-Hilaire on The publication reports that she died at her home in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Marta’s first acting credit was in 1966 in the comedy Gidget, before landing 18 episodes in Love, American Style. She continued to be cast in famous TV series including ER, Law & Order, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie’s Angels and the soap opera Days Of Our Lives.
While Footloose was her most famous role, she also starred in other movies including Joe Kidd where she caught the eye of Clint Eastwood’s titular character, and 3 Men and a Little Lady.
Marta was also a singer and dancer, initially entering showbusiness after being cast in the teen dance programme The Lloyd Thaxton Show.
In 1983, it was reported by People that Marta had an ‘open relationship’ with Starsky & Hutch star David Soul, and appeared on his TV special David Soul and Friends as herself.
‘All through the Starsky & Hutch years, David and Lynne lived together but spent time with other people,’ they claimed.
The actor, who played Detective Kenneth ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson, died aged 80 earlier this month.
Marta was the youngest of two daughters to Italian-American George Marta – a commissioner of air and water pollution – and wife Ruth, and was raised in New Jersey.
She is survived by her sister, MJ, and cat, Mr. Peaches.
