‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ star Lynne Marie Stewart dies, aged 78: “She’ll always be the most beautiful woman in Puppetland”

23 February, 2025

Lynne Marie Stewart

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia star Lynne Marie Stewart has died, aged 78.

The actress’ manager Bette Smith confirmed via Deadline that Stewart died on Friday (February 21) after wrapping her upcoming film Dink and Season 17 of It’s Always Sunny in December.

Smith said: “She was exhausted, so she went to see the doc. They discovered she had a tumor between her liver and gallbladder. This was a shock.”

Paying tribute she added: “Lynne was the most talented actress. She loved her craft above everything.”

Stewart, who was born on December 14, 1946 in Los Angeles was known for her role as Miss Yvonne, The Most Beautiful Woman in Puppetland, on the popular American children’s show Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1991. She reprised the role for a 2010 Los Angeles stage revival as well as a Broadway production, which opened in November 2010 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

She also known for her recurring role as janitor Charlie Kenny’s mother Bonnie, in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Cassandra Peterson, known for playing horror hostess Elvira: Mistress Of The Dark, which Stewart also appeared in, was one of the first to pay tribute. “My heart is breaking upon hearing the news of my dear friend Lynne Stewart’s passing,“ she wrote. ”One of the kindest, sweetest, funniest women who ever lived. The iconic Miss Yvonne of Pee-wee’s Playhouse. She’ll always be ‘the most beautiful woman in Puppetland.’”

Fellow It’s Always Sunny co-star Charlie Day also also offered his condolences as did Danny DeVito and Rob McElhenney.

“RIP TV mom. Thanks for 20 years of laughs. You deserve a standing ovation,” wrote Day on Instagram, adding in the caption: “The brilliant and talented Lynne Marie Stewart. Rest in peace. Thank you for all the years of laughter.”

Devito also wrote: “Gonna miss Lynne. Lynne Marie Stewart…So wonderful a spirit to work with on Sunny! All love to her family.”

McElhenney shared a series of photos of Stewart throughout her career and said: “This is how I’ll remember her. Laughing hysterically and making everyone around her light up with joy. She was a true professional but much more, a buzzing beacon of all that is good and right in the world. Lynn was a constant reminder that we can laugh and love our way through life and that sharing it with others in the whole point of what we do. Thank you Mrs Kelly. Thank you Miss Yvonne. Thank you Lynn. We’ll miss you forever.”

Stewart was also part of the comedy sketch troupe, The Groundlings, during the 1970s.

Paying tribute, The Groundlings shared in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter: “We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of our dear sweet Lynne Stewart. She wasn’t just the most beautiful woman in all of Puppetland – she was the most beautiful woman that we ever met, inside and out. Her warmth, humour and unforgettable presence lit up a room and brought joy to so, so many. She will be deeply missed, but her light will continue to shine through the laughter and love she gave us all.”

Stewart’s other credits included several roles as nurses on popular TV series M*A*S*H, a small role in the film American Graffiti in 1973 and the voice of Shirley in cartoon Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour in 1982.

You can view further tributes to the late star below:

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