Kathryn Joosten 1939-2012
Kathryn Joosten died on June 1, 2012 of lung cancer. Her death came just nineteen days after the death of her character Karen McCluskey on the final episode of Desperate Housewives – see video below.
She was first diagnosed in 2001 and rallied after treatment. She suffered a recurrence in September 2009, undergoing surgery and another round of chemotherapy. By January 2010 doctors told her that she was cancer free. She continued to appear in the show through the final season.
The 72-year-old actress appeared in numerous television episodes beginning in 1987, including seven episodes of Dharma and Greg, and 30 episodes as Dolores Landingham, secretary to the president on The West Wing. That stint spanned 1999-2002.
During her 2005-2012 stint on Desperate Housewives, Joosten won the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2005 and 2008. She was also nominated in 2010.
More photos of Joosten below:
Photos: WENN