21 July 2023 , 06:01
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Carlin Glynn, who starred as Brenda Baker in Sixteen Candles, has died at the age of 83.
The actress had been suffering from both cancer and dementia at the time of her death. Her heartbroken daughter, actress Mary Stuart Masterson, confirmed the sad news on Instagram.
"On Thursday, July 13th, my mother, Carlin Glynn Masterson, passed away. I was with her. I will always be grateful for those last moments, no matter how hard," Mary wrote alongside three pictures of her mother.
She continued: "Death is like birth in the oddest way. From my first breath to her last. This thread is as fragile as it is strong.
"She was the most graceful clumsy person you would ever meet. Strong, smart, silly, intuitive, kind, generous, passionate and a deep listener. She was devoted to my father and to the enormous circle of students and collaborators who were considered her chosen family."
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Carlin Glynn (left) died at the age of 83 (Getty Images North America)One of the pictures Mary shared was taken at Carlin's 80th birthday party, "before the worst of dementia and cancer took their toll."
The actress said her mother "never lost her sense of joy or wonder."
Tributes have been pouring in for Carlin, with ER star Julianna Margulies commenting: "So very sorry for you loss! When I lost my dad a friend told me that it doesn’t matter how old you are when you loose a parent, you feel unmoored for a while and you have to find your anchor. I loved that analogy. Sending you much love."
The Walking Dead star Jeffrey Dean Morgan added: "Sending you and yours much love. Xxx."
The actress' daughter shared a picture from her 80th birthday (@marystuartmasterson/Instagram)Actress Colby Minifie wrote: "Thinking of you Mary Stuart."
Carlin was born in Cleveland, Ohio but was raised in Houston, Texas. She later moved to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
After studying at The Actors Studio, Carlin ended up moving back to Houston, where she met her future husband, Peter Masterson. After they tied the knot, the couple moved back to New York.
Carlin retired from acting to raise their three children - Mary Stuart Masterson, Alexandra Masterson, and Peter Masterson Jr.
Aged 39, her husband convinced her to go back to acting after writing the hit play Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, in which she played Mona Stangley.
Carlin won a Tony Award for her performance for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. She went on to play Molly Ringwald's mother Brenda Baker in the 1984 classic Sixteen Candles.
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The star's final performance was in a 2006 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.