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Sternhagen as Mrs. Forbes
Frances Sternhagen (1930-2023) was an actress of stage and screen.
Sternhagen appeared on Sesame Street in Episode 1417 in 1980. She portrayed Mrs. Forbes, a member of the National Audubon Society, who administers a census-type poll to Big Bird.
Sternhagen recurred on Cheers as Cliff's controlling mother, followed by similar ongoing mother or grandmother roles on Sex and the City, ER (Gamma Carter), and The Closer. Films include the Stephen King adaptations Misery and The Mist, Doc Hollywood (with Michael J. Fox), The Hospital (with Diana Rigg), and a 1974 filmed for PBS version of Maxim Gorky's play Enemies (with Will Lee).
A two time Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress, Sternhagen's Broadway credits include the original productions of Equus and On Golden Pond, as well as the 2005 staging of Steel Magnolias (Clairee). Off-Broadway, she appeared in The New Pinter Plays and starred in Driving Miss Daisy.