Georgia Engel of ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ Dies at 70

Actress Georgia Engel, who is fondly remembered for her five-season stint as Georgette Franklin Baxter, Ted Baxter’s (Ted Knight) girlfriend, and ultimate wife, on sitcom “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” died last Friday in Princeton, New Jersey. She was 70 years old. 

John Quilty, Engel’s friend and executor, told the the New York Times that the cause of death is unknown.

Engel, who earned two Emmy nominations in the Supporting Actress in a Comedy category for her work on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” segued right into sitcom “The Betty White Show” in the 1977-78 TV season. She ultimately reunited with White in a recurring role on TV Land comedy “Hot in Cleveland,” and is also remembered for sitcoms “The Goodtime Girls,” “Coach” and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” The latter resulted in consecutive Emmy nominations as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2003, 2004, and 2005 for her role as Robert Barone’s (Brad Garrett) mother-in-law, Pat MacDougall.

On Broadway, Engel’s  roles included Mrs. Tottendale in “The Drowsy Chaperone;” Minnie Fay in “Hello, Dolly! “with Ethel Merman, “The Boys From Syracuse,” and “My One and Only” with Tommy Tune. Off-Broadway she was seen in “Annie Baker’s John” at Signature Theatre for which she won an Obie Award, “Uncle Vanya “at Soho Rep, and, “Will Eno’s Middletown” at Vineyard Theatre.
Her most recent stage role of note was appearing in the musical “Half Time” at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Engel also appeared on the big screen in “Grown Ups 2,” Open Season,” “The Sweetest Thing,” and “Doctor Doolittle 2.” In 2018, she guest starred in an episode of “One Day at a Time” on Netflix.