'Seinfeld,' 'Law & Order: SVU,' actress Kathryn Kates dies from lung cancer at 73

Kathryn Kates, the actress who appeared in "Seinfeld" and "The Many Saints of Newark," has died. She was 73.

Her agent Ben Jordan confirmed to USA TODAY late Tuesday evening that Kates died "after a hard fought battle with lung cancer" on Saturday. "She was a dear client and friend of ours," he wrote, adding that a memorial service will be held for Kates in the spring.

Erica Bines, another agent to Kates, told USA TODAY the actress "was surrounded by her incredible family when she peacefully passed."

"Losing her is heartbreaking, but there’s no doubt that her immense talent will live on for generations to come," Bines added.

Kates' manager Bob McGowan confirmed she died in Florida, mourning the actress in a statement to USA TODAY on Tuesday.

"My heart is broken, she was the best, an angel," McGowan wrote. "The entire time she was sick, she never complained"

Kates appeared in numerous television shows throughout her career, including "Lizzie McGuire," "Friends from College" and "Shades of Blue."

She played a counterwoman in two episodes of the hit '90s sitcom "Seinfeld," a judge named Marlene Simons in five episodes of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and Jason Biggs' character's mother Amy Kanter-Bloom in four episodes of "Orange Is the New Black." 

Most recently, she played Angie DeCarlo in the 2021 film "The Many Saints of Newark," a spin-off of the hit series "The Sopranos."

According to her website, Kates moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1974 to pursue acting, becoming a founding member of The Colony Theatre. She relocated to New York City in 2006, appearing in over 20 off and off-off-Broadway productions. She has also toured Europe, including the cities Bucharest, Sibiu and Stockholm.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there," reads an Instagram post on Sunday from the account @officialkathrynkates. "Keep me alive in your beautiful hearts with unforgettable memories. Teach others what you've learned from me and I will live in forever."

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