Known for starring in sitcom classics like "Night Court" and "Hearts Afire," as well
as a memorable role as Mary’s mom in "There's Something About Mary" Markie Post was a staple
in showbiz for the last four decades.
Tragically, the Hollywood alum died at age 70, nearly four years after being diagnosed
with cancer.
Post's manager confirmed the devastating news to Deadline following her death on August
7th.
In a statement, the actor's family praised Post for being an all-around amazing woman:
"But for us, our pride is in who she was in addition to acting; a person who made elaborate
cakes for friends, sewed curtains for first apartments, and showed us how to be kind,
loving, and forgiving in an often harsh world."
She was also remembered by her former co-stars on social media, including Melissa Joan Hart.
The "Sabrina The Teenage Witch" star penned a lengthy tribute on Instagram, thanking Post
for being an example "of how to be gracious, professional, find the fun in life, and be
a great mother."
The two starred in the made-for-TV movie "Holiday in Handcuffs" together.
Hart penned about Post,
"I am heartbroken but I know she is at peace.
Now this angel on earth gets to spread her wings and be an angel to us all from above."
With more than 75 acting credits to her name, Post cemented a legacy as a beloved sitcom
star throughout the early 1980s.
The late TV personality began her journey in Hollywood, appearing in classics like "Eight
Is Enough," "Semi-Tough," "The Love Boat," and "Cheers."
She then snagged one of her first breakout gigs in "The Fall Guy" in 1982, followed by
"Night Court" in 1985, playing the character of public defender Christine Sullivan for
159 episodes until 1992.
Throughout the '90s, Post found even more fame with parts in "Hearts Afire," also starring
Emmy winner John Ritter, as well as"Dave's World" with fellow Night Court Alum Harry
Anderson.
Even though she took some time to focus on her personal life and start a family with
her husband, Michael A. Ross, whom she married in 1982 — they welcomed two daughters along
the way as well — Post's dedication to her Hollywood career didn't waver much over the
years.
With recurring roles in shows like "Scrubs," "Transformers Prime," "Rack and Ruin," and
"Chicago P.D.", Post was just as active as an actor into the 2000s and 2010s.
As the family noted to Deadline, Post continued to pursue acting as "a side job" even after
her cancer diagnosis in 2017, having worked on projects including Lifetime's "Four Christmases
and a Wedding" and ABC's "The Kids Are Alright" between chemo treatments.
Tributes to Markie Post quickly began pouring in, especially as she passed just one month
after her fellow "Night Court" co-star Charlie Robinson, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The Twitter account Out of Context Night Court, which posts random screen grabs from the series,
dedicated an entire day to posts with Post's character Christine.
One post was a screengrab of both Post and Robinson, with the caption,
"Looking at this picture — it's hard to believe we've lost them both in the last month."
Gilbert Gottfried — who had a memorable three episode run on Night Court in season
9 — paid tribute to her on his podcast, praising her five-decade career.
Sophia Bush — who worked with Post on "Chicago P.D." — tweeted a more personal tribute,
complete with a selfie of the two of them.
"I'm just heartbroken at the news of Markie's passing ... she was a rock.
A light.
A great friend and a phenomenal scene partner.
She brought sunshine everywhere she went.
Prayers."
Celebrities were not the only ones taking to the web to extend their condolences.
Fans have been posting tributes to the late actor as well.
"RIP Markie Post," tweeted one fan, adding,
"I went through a lot of Kleenex after Night Court."
Another fan wrote,
"I'll remember Markie Post for Night Court, obviously, but also being a spectacular celebrity
player of $100,000 Pyramid.
They invited her for tournament week so many times... for a reason."
Sympathies and condolences to Post's family and friends continue to spread online.
May she rest in peace.