Lynn Harriette Cohen (née Kay; August 10, 1933 – February 14, 2020) was an American actress known for her roles in film, television and theater. She was especially known for her role as Magda in the

HBO Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...

series ''

Sex and the City ''Sex and the City'' is an American romantic comedy, romantic comedy-drama television series created by Darren Star for HBO. An adaptation of Candace Bushnell's Sex and the City (newspaper column), newspaper column and 1996 book anthology of the ...

'', which she also played in the 2008 film of the same name and its 2010 sequel, and for portraying Mags in '' The Hunger Games: Catching Fire''.

Early life

The daughter of Louis Kay and Bertha Cornsweet Kay, Lynn Harriette Kay was born in

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...

to a

Jewish Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...

family. She studied for a year each at the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University, after which she moved to St. Louis, where she began acting in regional theater.

Career

Cohen began her career in the 1970s appearing in Off-Broadway productions, receiving

Drama League Award The Drama League Awards, created in 1922, honor distinguished productions and performances both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, in addition to recognizing exemplary career achievements in theatre, musical theatre, and directing. Each May, the awards ...

and

Lucille Lortel Awards The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986. They are produced by the League of Off-Broadway Theatre ...

nominations. Notable credits include ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'' starring Kevin Kline and ''

Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...

'' starring

Liev Schreiber Isaac Liev Schreiber (; born October 4, 1967) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and narrator. He became known during the late 1990s and early 2000s after appearing in several independent films, and later mainstream Hollywo ...

. On Broadway, Cohen appeared in ''

Orpheus Descending ''Orpheus Descending'' is a three-act play by Tennessee Williams. It was first presented on Broadway on March 17, 1957 but had only a brief run (68 performances) and modest success. It was revived on Broadway in 1989, directed by Peter Hall an ...

'' starring

Vanessa Redgrave Dame Vanessa Redgrave (born 30 January 1937) is an English actress and activist. Throughout her career spanning over seven decades, Redgrave has garnered numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Television Award, two ...

(1989) and ''Ivanov'', reuniting her with Kevin Kline (1994). Cohen consistently played powerful, impressive women. Her first notable film role was in the 1993 comedy ''

Manhattan Murder Mystery ''Manhattan Murder Mystery'' is a 1993 American black comedy mystery film directed by Woody Allen, which he wrote with Marshall Brickman, and starring Alan Alda, Allen, Anjelica Huston, and Diane Keaton. The film centers on a married couple's ...

''. From 1993 to 2006, she played Judge Elizabeth Mizener in the NBC drama series ''

Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...

'', appearing in a total of 12 episodes. She also guest-starred on ''

NYPD Blue ''NYPD Blue'' is an American police procedural television series set in New York City, exploring the struggles of the fictional 15th Precinct detective squad in Manhattan. Each episode typically intertwines several plots involving an ensemble c ...

'', '' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', ''

Law & Order: Criminal Intent ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' is an American police procedural Drama (film and television), drama television series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and Executive producer#Motion pictures and television, p ...

'', '' Blue Bloods'', and had a recurring role on ''

Damages At common law, damages are a remedy in the form of a monetary award to be paid to a claimant as compensation for loss or injury. To warrant the award, the claimant must show that a breach of duty has caused foreseeable loss. To be recognised at ...

''. From 2000 to 2004, Cohen had a recurring role as Magda in the HBO comedy series ''

''. She reprised her role in the 2008

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

of the same name, as well as its 2010

sequel A sequel is a work of literature, film, theatre, television, music or video game that continues the story of, or expands upon, some earlier work. In the common context of a narrative work of fiction, a sequel portrays events set in the same ...

. Cohen also appeared in ''

Munich Munich ( ; german: München ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the States of Germany, German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the List of cities in Germany by popu ...

'' (2005) as

Golda Meir Golda Meir, ; ar, جولدا مائير, Jūldā Māʾīr., group=nb (born Golda Mabovitch; 3 May 1898 – 8 December 1978) was an Israeli politician, teacher, and ''kibbutznikit'' who served as the fourth prime minister of Israel from 1969 to 1 ...

, ''

Vanya on 42nd Street ''Vanya on 42nd Street'' is a 1994 American film directed by Louis Malle, written by Andre Gregory, and starring Wallace Shawn and Julianne Moore. The film is an intimate, interpretive performance of the 1899 play ''Uncle Vanya'' by Anton Chekhov ...

'', ''

Synecdoche, New York ''Synecdoche, New York'' (pronounced ) is a 2008 American postmodern psychological drama film written and directed by Charlie Kaufman in his directorial debut. It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as an ailing theater director who works on an incr ...

'', ''

Eagle Eye ''Eagle Eye'' is a 2008 American action-thriller film directed by D. J. Caruso and with a screenplay by John Glenn, Travis Adam Wright, Hillary Seitz and Dan McDermott from a story by McDermott. The film stars Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan ...

'' and '' The Hunger Games: Catching Fire''.

Personal life

Cohen married Gilbert Frazen in 1954, and he died in 1960. In 1964, she married Ronald Theodore Cohen, and they remained married until her death in 2020. She had one adult child and two grandchildren.

Death

Cohen died on February 14, 2020 in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

at the age of 86.

Selected filmography

*''

Without a Trace ''Without a Trace'' is an American police procedural drama television series created by Hank Steinberg that aired on CBS from September 26, 2002 to May 19, 2009 with the total of seven seasons and 160 episodes. The series focuses the cases of ...

'' (1983) – Woman with Dog *''

'' (1993) – Lillian House *''

'' (1993–2006, TV Series) – Judge Elizabeth Mizener *''

'' (1994) – Vonenskaya *''

I Shot Andy Warhol ''I Shot Andy Warhol'' is a 1996 biographical drama film about the life of Valerie Solanas and her relationship with the artist Andy Warhol. The film marked the feature film directorial debut of Canadian director Mary Harron. The film stars ...

'' (1996) – Hotel Earle Concierge *''

Walking and Talking ''Walking and Talking'' is a 1996 independent film written and directed by Nicole Holofcener and starring Catherine Keener, Anne Heche, Todd Field, Liev Schreiber and Kevin Corrigan. The film is #47 on ''Entertainment Weekly''s "Top 50 Cult Fi ...

'' (1996) – Andrew's mom *''

Everything Relative ''Everything Relative'' is a 1996 American comedy-drama independent film written and directed by Sharon Pollack. It centers around a weekend reunion of seven women who were friends and political activists in college. The film has been compared to ...

'' (1996) – Mrs. Kessler *''

Hurricane Streets ''Hurricane Streets'' (also known as ''Hurricane'') is a 1997 American coming-of-age drama film directed and written by Morgan J. Freeman in his feature directorial debut. It shows the story of Marcus (Brendan Sexton III), a teenage inner-city ' ...

'' (1997) – Lucy *''

Deconstructing Harry ''Deconstructing Harry'' is a 1997 American black comedy film written, directed by, and co-starring Woody Allen, alongside Caroline Aaron, Kirstie Alley, Bob Balaban, Richard Benjamin, Eric Bogosian, Billy Crystal, Judy Davis and others. The film ...

'' (1997) – Janet's mom *''Once We Were Strangers'' (1997) – Natasha *''My Divorce'' (1997) – Mother *'' Cosby'' (1997, TV Series, Appeared in Episode: "Florida") – Dorothy *'' Meschugge'' (1998) – Mrs. Fish *''

Cradle Will Rock ''Cradle Will Rock'' is a 1999 American historical drama film written, produced and directed by Tim Robbins. The story fictionalizes the true events that surrounded the development of the 1937 musical ''The Cradle Will Rock'' by Marc Blitzstein; ...

'' (1999) – Mama Silvano *''Just One Time'' (1999) – Sophia *'' Fast Food Fast Women'' (2000) – Jesse *''Ten Hundred Kings'' (2000) – Anne Shephard *''

'' (2000–2004, TV Series) – Magda *''

The Jimmy Show ''The Jimmy Show'' is a 2001 drama written and directed by Frank Whaley, based on the Off-Broadway play ''Veins and Thumbtacks'' by Jonathan Marc Sherman. The film stars Whaley, Carla Gugino, and Ethan Hawke. The film premiered at the 2001 Toront ...

'' (2001) – Ruth *''Hi-Yah!'' (2002, Short) – Gramma *''Fishing'' (2002) – Ruthie *''

The Station Agent ''The Station Agent'' is a 2003 American independent psychological comedy-drama film written and directed by Tom McCarthy in his directorial debut. It stars Peter Dinklage as a man who seeks solitude in an abandoned train station in the Newfoun ...

'' (2003) – Patty *''Evergreen'' (2004) – Grandmom *''

Last Call In a bar, a last call (last orders) is an announcement made shortly before the bar closes for the night, informing patrons of their last chance to buy alcoholic beverages. There are various means to make the signal, like ringing a bell, flash ...

'' (2004, Short) – Betsy *''The Last Days of Leni Riefenstahl'' (2005, Short) – Leni Riefenstahl *''While the Widow Is Away'' (2005, Short) – The Widow *''

'' (2005) –

*''

Invincible Invincible may refer to: Film and television * ''Invincible'' (2001 drama film), a drama by Werner Herzog about Jewish cabaret during the rise of Nazism * ''Invincible'' (2001 TV film), a fantasy / martial arts TV movie starring Billy Zane ...

'' (2006) – Mrs. Spegnetti *''

The Hottest State ''The Hottest State'' is a 2006 drama film written and directed by Ethan Hawke, based on his 1996 novel of the same name. The film debuted at the Venice Film Festival on September 2, 2006, and received a limited theatrical release in the United Sta ...

'' (2006) – Harris's mother *''

Delirious Delirious may refer to: * A state of delirium Film and television * Delirious (1991 film), ''Delirious'' (1991 film), an American comedy directed by Tom Mankiewicz, starring John Candy * Delirious (2006 film), ''Delirious'' (2006 film), an Americ ...

'' (2006) – Muffy Morrison *''

Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that streams on the streaming service Peacock. The soap, which aired on the American television net ...

'' (2007, TV Series) – Ms. Ashwell *''The Summoning of Everyman'' (2007) – Doctor *''Ablution'' (2007, Short) – Esther *''

Then She Found Me ''Then She Found Me'' is a 2007 American comedy-drama film directed by Helen Hunt. The screenplay by Hunt, Alice Arlen, and Victor Levin is very loosely based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Elinor Lipman. The film marked Hunt's feature film ...

'' (2007) – Trudy Epner *''

The Life Before Her Eyes ''The Life Before Her Eyes'' is a 2007 American thriller film directed by Vadim Perelman. The screenplay was adapted by Emil Stern from the Laura Kasischke novel of the same name. The film stars Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood. It was released ...

'' (2007) – Sister Beatrice *''

Across The Universe "Across the Universe" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. It was written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song first appeared on the 1969 various artists' charity compilation album ''No One's Gonna Change Our W ...

'' (2007) – Grandmother Carrigan *''

Deception Deception or falsehood is an act or statement that misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Deception can involve dissimulation, propaganda and sleight o ...

'' (2008) – Woman *''

'' (2008) – Magda *''

'' (2008) – Caden's mother *''

'' (2008) – Mrs. Wierzbowski *''Eavesdrop'' (2008) – May *''

Staten Island Staten Island ( ) is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Richmond County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located in the city's southwest portion, the borough is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull an ...

'' (2009) – Dr. Leikovic *'' Everybody's Fine'' (2009) – Old Woman on First Train *''

'' (2009–2012, TV Series, Appearance in four episodes) – Stefania McKee *''

Nurse Jackie ''Nurse Jackie'' is an American medical comedy-drama television series. It premiered on Showtime on June 8, 2009, and its seventh and final season premiered on April 12, 2015. The series finale aired on June 28, 2015. The show stars Edie Fal ...

'' (2009–2012, TV Series) – Mrs. Zimberger *'' The Extra Man'' (2010) – Lois Huber *''

Red Dead Redemption ''Red Dead Redemption'' is a 2010 action-adventure game developed by Rockstar San Diego and published by Rockstar Games. A spiritual successor to 2004's ''Red Dead Revolver'', it is the second game in the ''Red Dead'' series. ''Red Dead Redempt ...

'' (2010, Video Game) – Mrs. Bush (voice) *''

A Little Help ''A Little Help'' is a 2010 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Michael J. Weithorn. It follows the experiences of a dental hygienist following her unfaithful husband's sudden death. It debuted on May 21, 2010 at the Seattle Interna ...

'' (2010) – Mrs. Cosolito *''

Sex and the City 2 ''Sex and the City 2'' is a 2010 American romantic comedy film written, co-produced, and directed by Michael Patrick King. It is the sequel to the 2008 film ''Sex and the City'', based on the 1998–2004 television series. Sarah Jessica Parker, ...

'' (2010) – Magda *'' Hello Lonesome'' (2010) – Eleanor *''The Kindergarten Shuffle'' (2010) – Lynn *''

Somewhere Tonight "Somewhere Tonight" is a song written by Rodney Crowell and Harlan Howard, and recorded by American country music group Highway 101. It was released in September 1987 as the third single from the album '' Highway 101''. The song was Highway 101 ...

'' (2011) – Mrs. Pecorino *'' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' (2011, TV Series, Appeared in Episode: "Beef") – Donna Rosa Doletti *''The Romance of Loneliness'' (2012) – Mina *''

Not Waving But Drowning "Not Waving but Drowning" is a poem by the British poet Stevie Smith. It was published in 1957, as part of a collection of the same title.Sternlicht, Sanford V.''Stevie Smith''. Twayne Publishers (1990) p. 63. The most famous of Smith's poems,Ho ...

'' (2012) – Sylvia *'' Art Machine'' (2012) – Roberta *'' Where Is Joel Baum?'' (2012) – Mrs. Stein *''Bottled Up'' (2013) – Gladys *'' A Case of You'' (2013) – Harriet *''Chasing Taste'' (2013) – Murial *'' The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'' (2013) – Mags *''

Gabriel In Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), Gabriel (); Greek: grc, Γαβριήλ, translit=Gabriḗl, label=none; Latin: ''Gabriel''; Coptic: cop, Ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ, translit=Gabriêl, label=none; Amharic: am, ገብር� ...

'' (2014) - Nonny *''

They Came Together ''They Came Together'' is a 2014 American satire, satirical romantic comedy film directed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter. It is a parody of romantic comedies infused with Showalter and Wain's absurd approach. The film ha ...

'' (2014) – Bubby *''

The Cobbler The Cobbler ( gd, Beinn Artair) is an mountain located near the head of Loch Long in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is a Corbett, and is an important site for rock climbing in the Southern Highlands. Many maps include the name Ben Arthur (an ...

'' (2014) – Sarah Simkin *'' The Affair'' (2014, TV Series) – Joan Bailey *'' Getting On'' (2014, TV Series) – Janice Carmaglia *'' Deadbeat'' (2015, TV Series, Appeared in Episode: "Last Dance with Edith Jane") – Edith Jane *'' All in Time'' (2015) – Mrs. Joshnman *''

Master of None ''Master of None'' is an American comedy-drama streaming television Streaming television is the digital distribution of television content, such as TV shows, as streaming media delivered over the Internet. Streaming television stands in con ...

'' (2015, TV Series) – Carol *'' A Woman Like Me'' (2015) – Alex's mom *'' The Pickle Recipe'' (2016) – Rose *''

Chicago Med ''Chicago Med'' is an American medical drama television series created by Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead, and is the third installment of Wolf Entertainment's ''Chicago'' franchise. The series premiered on NBC on November 17, 2015. ''Chicago Med'' ...

'' (2016, TV Series, Appearance in one episode) – Rose Wechsler *''

Sollers Point ''Sollers Point'' is a 2017 American-French drama film written and directed by Matthew Porterfield. It stars McCaul Lombardi, Jim Belushi, Zazie Beetz, Tom Guiry and Marin Ireland. Plot ''Sollers Point'' tells the story of Keith (Lombardi), ...

'' (2017) – Ladybug *''Walden: Life in The Woods'' (2017) – Alice *''Benji the Dove'' (2017) – Miss O'Dell *'' Omphalos'' (2018) – Babs *''

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ''The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'' is an American period comedy-drama television series, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, that premiered on March 17, 2017, on Amazon Prime Video. Set in the late 1950s and early 1960s, it stars Rachel Brosnahan as ...

'' (2018, TV Series) – Bubbabosia *'' After Class'' (2019) – Agatha *''The World Without You'' (2019) – Gretchen *''

Lingua Franca A lingua franca (; ; for plurals see ), also known as a bridge language, common language, trade language, auxiliary language, vehicular language, or link language, is a language systematically used to make communication possible between groups ...

'' (2019) – Olga *''

Feast of the Seven Fishes The Feast of the Seven Fishes ( it, Festa dei sette pesci) is an Italian-American celebration of Christmas Eve with dishes of fish and other seafood. Origins and tradition The Feast of the Seven Fishes is part of the Italian-American Christmas ...

'' (2019) – Nonnie *'' The Vigil'' (2019) – Mrs. Litvak *''

God Friended Me ''God Friended Me'' is an American comedy-drama television series created by Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt. It stars Brandon Micheal Hall, Violett Beane, Suraj Sharma, Javicia Leslie, Joe Morton and Erica Gimpel. The series was ordered ...

'' (2020) – Rose

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cohen, Lynn 1933 births 2020 deaths 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses Actresses from Kansas City, Missouri American film actresses Jewish American actresses American television actresses American stage actresses 21st-century American Jews