Lynne Thigpen, who plays Ella Farmer on the crime drama The District, died suddenly last night at her home in Los Angeles. She was 54.

The cause of death was not immediately known, and Thigpen had been in good health, the show’s publicist told the Associated Press.

“I’m in shock. She was a wonderful actress and a friend,” said District star Craig T. Nelson.

Thigpen won a Tony Award for the drama An American Daughter, and has appeared in such movies as Tootsie, Bob Roberts, The Insider, Bicentennial Man and Shaft (2000).

She also appears in the upcoming Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson movie, Anger Management, due out April 11.

Thigpen had also been in such television shows as Gimme a Break!, thirtysomething, L.A. Law, Law & Order, and All My Children. She played “Chief” in Carmen Sandiego.






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