Stage And Television Actress Ann Wedgeworth Passes

NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — Ann Wedgeworth, an actor of film and stage, who was perhaps best known for her portrayal of a flirty divorcee on the sitcom "Three's Company," has died. She was 83.

According to CBS News, Wedgeworth's daughter Dianna Martin said the actor had died in the New York area after a long illness.

Wedgeworth made her first appearance on Broadway with a role in the 1958 comedy "Make a Million" and continued to perform as a stage actress for decades.

In 1978, her portrayal of Faye in Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical "Chapter Two" won her a Tony Award for best featured actress in a play.

She also appeared in films such as "Scarecrow" (1973) where she appeared opposite Gene Hackman, and "Bang The Drum Slowly" (1973) with Robert DeNiro.

Wedgeworth appeared in the sitcom "Three's Company" playing Lana Shields, an amorous older neighbor with her eye on her neighbor Jack, portrayed by John Ritter.

However, she only appeared in nine episodes of the series before her character was written out of the show.

She was married to actor Rip Torn but divorced after five years in 1961. She later married acting teacher Ernest Martin.

Wedgeworth is survived by her husband, her two daughters, and stepsons Michael Martin and Greg Martin.