Footloose actress Lynne Marta dies at LA home after battling cancer

16 January 2024 , 23:22

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Lynne Marta has passed away

Footloose actress Lynne Marta has died at the age of 78.

The Hollywood actress passed away at her home in Los Angeles following a cancer battle. Marta died on Thursday morning, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Lynne was best known for playing the role of Lulu Warnicker in the iconic eighties film, alongside Kevin Bacon. While Footloose was undoubtedly her most famous role, she also had a plethora of TV guest appearances under her belt.

New Jersey-born Marta played parts in Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels, The Mod Squad and The Rookies. The actress also had a recurring role in Love, American Style.

And Kevin Bacon was just one of the Hollywood mega stars Lynne acted alongside, having worked with Clint Eastwood in John Sturge's Joe Kidd (1972).

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Marta was born on October 30, 1945, as the youngest of two daughters in Somerville, New Jersey. Getting into the world of showbusiness at a young age, Lynne first tread the boards in teen dance programme, The Lloyd Thaxton Show.

Lynne Marta starred in Love, American Style (Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Lynne Marta also had a role in Footloose (Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

READ MORE: Starsky & Hutch star David Soul dies aged 80 as wife shares heartbreaking statement

Shortly thereafter, she appeared in Gidget and hugely popular long-running show, The Monkees. According to PEOPLE, Marta had an "open relationship" with Starsky & Hutch actor, David Soul, while he was married to Karen Carlson.

The publication reported: "All through the Starsky & Hutch years, David and Lynne lived together but spent time with other people." Lynne appeared with him on his 1977 TV special, David Soul and Friends.

David died earlier this month on January 5, due to numerous health issues, including cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Lynne Marta reportedly had an open relationship with David Soul (Getty Images)

His wife Helen Snell said in a statement following his death: "David Soul – beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother – died yesterday after a valiant battle for life in the loving company of family. He shared many extraordinary gifts in the world as actor, singer, storyteller, creative artist and dear friend.

"His smile, laughter and passion for life will be remembered by the many whose lives he has touched." Soul was best known for his role for his role as Detective Kenneth 'Hutch' Hutchinson in Starsky & Hutch from 1975 to 1979. He was also Joshua Bolt on Here Comes the Brides between 1968 and 1970.

David, who was married five times, is survived by his five sons and one daughter.

Chloe Stewart