Emmy Award Winner Kathryn Joosten Has Died

Stage and screen actress Kathryn Joosten has died of lung cancer at age 72.

Joosten trained at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater and founded Los Angeles’ Theater Neo, whose production of The Ladies of the Corridor won her an Ovation Award. She most recently appeared on stage as Lady Boyle in the Geffen Playhouse’s production of Tracy Letts’ acclaimed play Superior Donuts.

She was best known for her work on television, most notably her Emmy Award-winning role as Karen McCluskey on ABC’s Desperate Housewives. Her other television credits included Roseanne, NYPD Blue, and The West Wing.