Son of ‘Cheers’ Star Learns His Mom Is Dead While Boarding Plane after She Said She Loved & Missed Him

• Frances Sternhagen from "Cheers" has tragically passed away at her home.
• Fans around the world knew her for playing the role of a mother in iconic shows, a role that she lived as a reality, being the devoted mom of six kids.
• One of her sons learned about her death while boarding an airplane after the late actress told him she loved and missed him.

Hollywood actress Frances Sternhagen passed away on Monday. The beloved entertainer was 93 years old, and just over a month shy of celebrating her 94th birthday.

She is survived by her big family, which includes all six of her children, her nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. A celebration of the incredible life she lived and the impressive career she built is set to take place on her 94th birthday in mid-January, 2024.

When word of her demise broke, a statement made by her family was released to a news outlet. In their message, they disclosed:

"It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear mother, actress Frances Sternhagen, died peacefully of natural causes in New Rochelle, NY, on November 27th, 2023...We continue to be inspired by her love and life."

Sternhagen garnered an impressive total of over 70 television and film credits to her name before she passed. Her various roles earned her esteemed academy nominations and two Tony Award wins during her time on Broadway.

Perhaps two of her most notable features were as Esther Clavin on "Cheers" and her role as the overbearing and wealthy mother-in-law of Charlotte York in "Sex and the City."

Though her portrayal of the frosty Bunny MacDougal could not be further from what Sternhagen was actually like in reality, she enjoyed imitating the obnoxious, snobby older character. While addressing her thoughts on the show overall, Sternhagen expressed:

"It's certainly ... different. But it would never last if it wasn't cleverly written. It's believable and funny, and it's very well played."

Frances Sternhagen's Son Found Out about His Mom's Demise While Boarding an Airplane

Yesterday, the beloved entertainer who enjoyed playing obnoxious older women was commemorated by her son via a heartfelt tribute on social media. John Carlin shared beautiful pictures of his mom and moments from her life with a tear-jerking caption that spoke to how grateful and lucky he was to have Sternhagen as a mom.

Condolences are now being sent to the family whom Sternhagen loved fiercely.

John went on about how inspiring and remarkably talented his mom was and how loved she was by countless people. In addition to listing the ways in which she was more than the best mother to him, citing that she was also his friend, song, and dance partner, John also revealed how he found out about her death:

"We were together last week, and we spoke Monday afternoon, said how much we loved and missed one another. I was about to board a plane for London when I got the news..."

Frances Sternhagen Was the Definition of a Devoted Matriarch for Her Family

John's beloved mother was also a doting mom to his five other siblings, whom she devoted her life to raising with her late husband, Tom Carlin. When she was still alive, nothing came before her children, not even her successful career.

She once shared how she turned many job opportunities down to be a doting mom to her kids, three of whom followed in their parents' acting footsteps. On this, Sternhagen stated:

"You make choices and you have to stick with them. In the spring, I turned down a very good job that would have taken me away from home for 10 weeks..."

Though, of course, it wasn't easy, Sternhagen knew she was doing what was best for her and Tom's children. She was always concerned about the well-being of their kids, over and above anything else, previously citing that they were always her first priority.

At the time the article in which she spoke about motherhood was published, Sternhagen and Tom had been married for over 20 years. While talking about their marriage, she brought up their kids again and said:

"For both of us, our family and our children are most important."

Condolences are now being sent to the family whom Sternhagen loved fiercely. Her incredible life and legacy continue to be remembered and celebrated by all who were lucky enough to know her.