Premium Content:

'Orange is the New Black' star Kathryn Kates dead at 73

Actor Kathryn Kates, known for her myriad television roles including Orange is the New Black, has died at 73.

- Advertisement -

Kates passed away over the weekend in Florida after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

The US actor had been working in television since 1982, landing stand-out roles in Seinfeld as the bakery worker in iconic episodes The Rye and The Dinner Party, Mrs Carrabino in Lizzie McGuire, Judge Marlene Simmons in Law & Order: SVU and Larry’s (Jason Biggs) mother in Orange is the New Black.

“Kathryn passed away peacefully this past Saturday surrounded by her brother Josh, his wife Sue Ann and her sister Mallory,” Kates’ agency Headline said in a media statement.

“She was incredibly brave, thoughtful, wise and loving. Kathryn approached every role she ever played, as well as her daily life with the greatest of passion.”

“We will do our best to honor her incredible legacy. The world truly lost one of the good ones.”


You can support our work by subscribing to our Patreon
or contributing to our GoFundMe campaign.

Latest

PHOTOS | PrideFEST Parade 2025 full of love and light

Pride WA’s Pride Parade filled Northbridge with rainbows last November.

Join the celebrations with ABC’s live Mardi Gras broadcast

Everyone is invited to join in the revelry of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade with ABC on Saturday, 28 February.

Catch queer short film ‘Friend of Dorothy’ at Flickerfest

Celebrating 35 years in 2026, international short film festival Flickerfest is set to return with another illuminating program.

Conleth Kane shows his love of Erasure with covers EP

The singer is putting out an EP of three Erasure songs.

Newsletter

Don't miss

PHOTOS | PrideFEST Parade 2025 full of love and light

Pride WA’s Pride Parade filled Northbridge with rainbows last November.

Join the celebrations with ABC’s live Mardi Gras broadcast

Everyone is invited to join in the revelry of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade with ABC on Saturday, 28 February.

Catch queer short film ‘Friend of Dorothy’ at Flickerfest

Celebrating 35 years in 2026, international short film festival Flickerfest is set to return with another illuminating program.

Conleth Kane shows his love of Erasure with covers EP

The singer is putting out an EP of three Erasure songs.

Foxtel share they are developing a new chapter of Wentworth

We thought it was all over, but Foxtel has plans to extend the Wentworth universe.

PHOTOS | PrideFEST Parade 2025 full of love and light

Pride WA’s Pride Parade filled Northbridge with rainbows last November.

Join the celebrations with ABC’s live Mardi Gras broadcast

Everyone is invited to join in the revelry of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade with ABC on Saturday, 28 February.

Catch queer short film ‘Friend of Dorothy’ at Flickerfest

Celebrating 35 years in 2026, international short film festival Flickerfest is set to return with another illuminating program.