Cynthia Harris, the actress best known to prime-time TV audiences as the mother of Paul Reiser’s mother on “Mad About You,” has died at age 87.
Harris died on Sunday, her family announced in an obituary.
In 1993 she founded The Actors Company Theater, serving as artistic director and acting in numerous productions.
Also in 1993 she debuted as Sylvia Buchman, the comically overbearing mother of the character Paul Buchman, played by Reiser. She appeared in 71 episodes between 1993 and 1999 and then in two episodes of the 2019 reboot.
Onstage she stepped into the role of Sarah in the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” and in “Bad Habits” in 1974. She also appeared in “Lost in Yonkers,” “The Tribute Artist” and “Bedroom Farce,” among many other shows.
She also appeared in numerous television shows, including “The Bob Newhart Show,” Laverne & Shirley,” “L.A. Law” and “Law & Order,” to name a few. She also appeared for years as “Mrs. B.,” sniffing out bargains for department store chain Bradlees, beginning in the 1970s.
Harris is survived by her “loving partner Nathan Silverstein, her devoted assistant Terrence Mintern,” as well as brother Dr. Matthew Harris (Frances), sister-in-law Maryjane Harris (brother David predeceased her) and many nieces and nephews.
“Cynthia’s passing is a great loss for the dramatic arts and for all of us,” her family said.
Theresa Braine of the New York Daily News wrote this story.
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