Lynne Thigpen was a talented and versatile actress who appeared in many stage, film, and television productions. She was best known for her roles as The Chief in the PBS children’s game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? and Luna the Moon in the Playhouse Disney series Bear in the Big Blue House. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in An American Daughter and received six Daytime Emmy nominations for her work on various shows. She was admired by many fans and colleagues for her charisma, professionalism, and passion for her craft.
However, on March 12, 2003, Thigpen passed away suddenly at the age of 54 in her Marina del Rey, California, home. Her death shocked and saddened the entertainment industry and the public, who wondered what could have caused the demise of such a vibrant and healthy person. Here is what we know about Lynne Thigpen’s cause of death and how she was remembered by those who knew her.
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A Cerebral Hemorrhage Claimed Her Life
According to The Celebrity Deaths, Thigpen died of a cerebral hemorrhage, which is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissue. This can cause brain damage, coma, or death, depending on the location and severity of the bleeding. The symptoms of a cerebral hemorrhage may include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, numbness, vision problems, difficulty speaking or swallowing, confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures.
Thigpen had complained of headaches for several days before her death, but did not seek medical attention. She was found unresponsive by her partner Larry Aronson in their home and was pronounced dead at the scene. The exact cause of her cerebral hemorrhage is unknown, but some possible risk factors are high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, alcohol abuse, head trauma, blood disorders, or aneurysms.
She Was Working on Several Projects at the Time of Her Death
Thigpen was a busy and prolific actress who had many projects in the works at the time of her death. She was starring as Ella Farmer on the CBS drama series The District, which was in its third season. She had also completed filming for the comedy film Anger Management, starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson, which was released a month after her death and paid tribute to her in the end credits. She was also scheduled to appear in the Broadway musical The Pirate Queen, which was based on the life of Irish pirate Grace O’Malley.
Thigpen’s sudden death left a void in many of these projects, which had to find ways to honor her memory and cope with her absence. The District dedicated an episode to her and wrote her character out of the show by having her die of a heart attack. The producers of Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego? decided to cancel the show after its second season rather than replace Thigpen as The Chief. The creators of Bear in the Big Blue House also decided not to recast Thigpen’s role as Luna and instead used archive footage of her voice for the remaining episodes.
She Was Remembered as a Wonderful Person and a Brilliant Performer
Thigpen’s death was mourned by many people who had worked with her or admired her work. Her co-stars and friends expressed their grief and condolences through various media outlets and paid tribute to her legacy. Some of the statements they made are as follows:
- Adam Sandler: “She was one of my favorite actresses I ever worked with. She was just fantastic. She had so much energy and so much love.”
- Jack Nicholson: “She was a very special person. She had a great sense of humor and a great spirit.”
- Victor Garber: “She was one of my closest friends. She was an extraordinary actress and an extraordinary human being.”
- David Haskell: “She was a joy to work with. She had such a positive outlook on life and such a generosity of spirit.”
- LeVar Burton: “She was a consummate professional and a joy to be around. She had a beautiful voice and a beautiful soul.”
- Brian Henson: “She was a wonderful person and a brilliant performer. She brought so much warmth and humor to everything she did.”
Lynne Thigpen’s cause of death may have been tragic and unexpected, but her life was full of achievements and happiness. She left behind a legacy of memorable roles that entertained and educated millions of people around the world. She will always be remembered as one of the most talented and beloved actresses of her generation.
