Bonnie Franklin, star of the hit sitcom “One Day at a Time”, died at her home in Los Angeles on Friday due to complications with pancreatic cancer. She was 69.
A talented tap dancer from a young age, Franklin went on to Broadway and received a Tony Award Nomination in 1970 for her role as a gypsy in the production of the musical Applause, making her one of the youngest performers to ever receive the honor. The production won the Tony for best musical, and co-star Lauren Bacall was honored as best actress in a musical.
Franklin starred as a divorced mother struggling to raise her two daughters, Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips, on their sitcom “One Day at a Time”, which ran from 1975-1984. Best known for her TV work, Franklin was nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe Awards over her career. She reunited with Bertinelli in 2011 for an episode of “Hot in Cleveland”.
On “One Day at a Time”, Franklin urged producers to take on real issues like teen pregnancy to avoid letting the show become a sitcom fluff. Her performance as the fierce Ann Romano was considered notable for its showcase of feminism.
A private memorial will be held next week.
