Sitcom Star Bonnie Franklin Passes Away
Former '70s and '80s sitcom star Bonnie Franklin passed away this morning in Los Angeles after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 69.
Franklin's longtime manager, Robert Malcolm, confirmed the news to ET. He says that the star died this morning at home surrounded by her family. Hospice was called in on Saturday, February 23. She had been diagnosed with stage four cancer in August 2012 and they "tried everything they could, but nothing worked." A devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Bonnie is survived by her mother, Claire, who is 101.
Private services will be held Monday, March 4 in Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be sent to C-C-A-P.org at 11684 Ventura Blvd., Suite 437, Studio City, CA 91604 -- "so Ms. Franklin's legacy and love of the theatre can continue to flourish."
Franklin co-starred with Valerie Bertinelli and Mackenzie Phillips as a divorced mother struggling to raise her two daughters on their hit sitcom One Day at a Time, which ran from 1975-1984. Best known for her TV work, Franklin was nominated for Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe Awards over her career and reunited with Bertinelli in 2011 for an episode of Hot in Cleveland.
Franklin married producer Marvin Minoff in 1980 and they were together for 29 years until his death in November 2009. They had no children together, but "their love of the theatre, traveling, spending time with family and friends as well as sharing in the joy of their grandchildren provided them with a lifetime of happiness."
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Responding to the news, Bertinelli tells ET, "My heart is breaking. Bonnie has always been one of the most important women in my life and was a second mother to me. The years on One Day At A Time were some of the happiest of my life, and along with Pat and Mackenzie we were a family in every way. She taught me how to navigate this business and life itself with grace and humor, and to always be true to yourself. I will miss her terribly."
And Mackenzie Phillips tells ET, "I am so saddened by the loss of our dear friend, Bonnie Franklin. She was just full of light and love. Bonnie will be very much missed by all the people she touched with her love. Family, friends and fans. Please respect the privacy of her wonderful family at this difficult time. We all loved her very much."