Lynne Thigpen, who played computer expert Ella Farmer on CBS drama The District, passed away suddenly late Wednesday night in Los Angeles. She was 54.

Production on The District has been suspended.

Thigpen -- who garnered a Tony Award (An American Daughter), two Obie Awards (Jar the Floor and Boesman and Lena) and a Los Angeles Critics Award (Fences) for her stage performances -- brought her talents to television on such series as Law & Order, L.A. Law and Thirtysomething. But younger viewers may best remember her as the chief on PBS’ colorful tween programs, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? and Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?.

"We are all in shock and in mourning," said John Wirth, executive producer of The District. "The beauty, compassion and talent that you saw on the screen was not just superb acting. It was the very essence of this wonderful woman. We will miss her terribly."

Thigpen’s other television credits include Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations Night Ride Home and The Boys Next Door, among others. As well as a 1998 TV-Movie with John Ritter, Katey Sagal, and Jean Stapleton.

She was also in feature films The Insider, Shaft, Lean on Me, Tootsie and the upcoming Anger Management with Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler.

Actress Lynne Thigpen, co-star of the CBS drama "The District," died suddenly in her home Wednesday night, reports Reuters. She was 54. The cause of death was not immediately announced.

When "The District" premiered more than two years ago, it was seen as a racially-charged drama.

Thigpen
, who won a Tony Award for her role in Wendy Wasserstein's stage play "An American Daughter," also hosted the PBS children's shows, "Where In the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" and "Where In Time Is Carmen Sandiego?" Her first professional acting job was in the 1973 movie "Godspell." She also appeared in "L.A. Law," "thirtysomething," "Bob Roberts," and "The Paper."

How hot was "L.A. Law"? Less than a year ago, the hit show's cast reminisced about it.

In the crime drama "The District," which tells riveting stories about a fictional Washington, D.C. police chief portrayed by Craig T. Nelson, Thigpen played the role of statistics clerk Ella Farmer. "As a person, Lynne possessed an incredible dignity, intelligence, and wisdom that informed all of her performances," Denise Di Novi, an executive producer of "The District," told Zap2It.com. "She elevated anything she was involved with, and we were blessed to have her as a part of our family." Production of the TV series has stopped in the wake of Thigpen's death

Oh man. I liked her a lot, she used to play Noah's Aunt (Grace?) on All My Children. Not that I watch soaps or anything, but ...

OMG. I cant believe that, she was an awesome actress.

Whoa!! :crying: she was a great actress...

How sad :( My heart goes out to her loved ones.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20030313/D7POG6Q01.html

I'm bummed, she was the great voice of the DJ in the movie The Warriors.

:( aww thats very sad news.. my heart goes out to her and her family and fans

That's terrible :(

Was she still on the show?

i never watched that show, but that's sad

Originally posted by FOLrocks1
Was she still on the show?
Yes, very much so. She's also in the Adam Sandler's new movie, Anger Management. I saw the trailer for it yesterday on TV; It was weird.

Thats too bad :(. I remember her from the Carmen San Diego TV shows.

Goodbye, Chief. :(

no! that is so sad. I watched where in the world is carmen sandiego every day as a kid. it drove my parents crazy! she'll be missed.

Also known to daytime drama viewers as Grace Keefer on All My Children.

She died last Wednesday and I still haven't seen anywhere as to how she died. Any updates?

Originally posted by UpstairsSteak
I'm bummed, she was the great voice of the DJ in the movie The Warriors.

I remember that. That's a great movie. That's sad that she died.

She was also in the movie "Lean on Me" She played Mrs. Barrett, the woman that was trying to get Joe Clark, played by Morgan Freeman, fired.

I'm watching the Cosby show right now and she's on it.:( It's so sad she was really young.

Damn i didn't know she died. When did this happen? I remember her on All My Children soap opera in the early 90's. I always thought she was ugly but i'm sorry to hear about her death. I remember her in Lean On Me movie too. She was against Morgan Freeman putting the lock on the school doors & she wanted him out of that school. I also remember her in Shaft. She was Mekhi Phifer's mother & she killed that white dude at the end who killed Mekhi. Shaft was a good movie with Samuel Jackson. People said it wasn't good but i disagree. I used to watch The District sometimes. Was it really filmed in Washington DC?

Episode on May 10 Pays Special Tribute to the Late Lynne Thigpen and Her Character Ella Farmer

"Star Search" Winner Tiffany Evans Guest Stars

"Ella Mae" – Mannion and his team face Ella's sudden death and Mannion's firing from the police department, on THE DISTRICT, Saturday, May 10 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Oz Scott directed the episode written by Michael Ostrowski and Jasmine Love from a story by Jason Wilborn. Noland is appointed acting Chief of Police and Mannion, unwilling to fight for his job, goes to Ella's funeral where is meets a beguiling little girl (guest star Tiffany Evans from "Star Search") and then decides to leave D.C. for good. However, when Ella's son, Ricky, disappears, Mannion tries to find him, repaying his dear friend Ella one last time. Meanwhile, Temple and Debreno deal with their grief by going after a killer who has eluded them for some time.

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Celebrity Underrated chronicles the lives and deaths of entertainers, sports figures, world leaders, and others both famous and infamous. The channel highlights their background and upbringing, their rise to fame, their trials and tribulations, and the often mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased.