NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ star Marcia Strassman dies

LOS ANGELES

Marcia Strassman, who played Gabe Kaplan’s wife, Julie, on the 1970s sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter,” has died. She was 66.

Strassman died at her Sherman Oaks, Calif., home Friday after battling breast cancer for seven years, her sister, Julie Strassman, said Sunday.

“They gave her 21/2 years to live, but she lasted much longer,” she said. “She was very courageous.”

Strassman had numerous roles on television and in film during her five-decade career.

She played nurse Margie Cutler on the first season of “M*A*S*H*” before her breakout role in “Welcome Back, Kotter.” The show was about a teacher returning to the tough high-school of his youth to teach a classroom full of misfits, including future movie star John Travolta.

She also played Rick Moranis’ wife in the Disney hit movie “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” and its sequel, “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.”

Lauder jewels auction to benefit 2 charities

NEW YORK

Sotheby’s says proceeds from the sale of 44 pieces of jewelry from the collections of Estee Lauder and Evelyn Lauder will benefit two charities.

The auction is Dec. 9.

The sale of 33 jewels from Evelyn Lauder will support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which she founded.

Eleven pieces from the collection of Estee Lauder will benefit the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.

Estee Lauder died in 2004. She’s the founder of the Estee Lauder fragrance and skincare products company. Her daughter-in-law Evelyn Lauder died in 2011.

Associated Press