Jane Galloway Heitz who starred in Glee and The Big Bang Theory has died

Jane Galloway Heitz, who starred in Glee and The Big Bang Theory, has died in the US of congestive heart failure.

Actor Jane Galloway Heitz who starred in hit shows Big Bang Theory and Glee has died at the age of 78.

The performer appeared in a number of other notable TV series including Shameless, Grey’s Anatomy, Prison Break and CSI.

Jane Galloway Heitz, Jim Parsons and Johnny Galecki in The Big Bang Theory in 2007. Picture: Supplied

The Sun reports that Galloway Heitz died from congestive heart failure at a hospital in Highland Park, Illinois, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Her passing was first reported in an obituary released by the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday.

She was a widow, a mother of two and grandmother of three.

In The Big Bang Theory Galloway Heitz played the role of Mildred in 2009 and in Glee was Lillian Adler.

The character was the club director of the glee musical program at William McKinley High School.

Jane Galloway Heitz who starred in hit shows The Big Bang Theory and Glee has died at age 78. Picture: Suplied

She made appearances at the beginning and end of the show’s run from 2009 and 2015.

Despite only being physically onscreen in the show twice, a photograph of her was frequently shown in the TV series.

A plaque with it read: “By its very definition, Glee is about opening yourself up to joy.”

The touching words served as a source of inspiration for the character William Schuester, played by Matthew Morrison.

Her character was cited as the reason he decided to take over the glee club.

Glee star Mark Salling died in 2018. Picture: Supplied

Cory Monteith, left, with co-star and girlfriend Lea Michele. Picture: AP

Her death is another heartbreak for the Glee cast who have had to deal with the passing of Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) in 2013 and Mark Salling (Noah “Puck” Puckerman) in 2018.

TALENT SPOTTER TO STAR

Prior to her time in the limelight, Galloway Heitz operated her own casting business.

Later she transitioned into acting herself.

The Minneapolis actress first appeared in the 1993 short film Welcome to the Max, according to IMDB.

From there she made her film debut in David Lynch’s The Straight Story in 1999.

The cast of Glee, pPictured L-R: Harry Shum Jr., Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling, Heather Morris, Chord Overstreet, Amber Riley, Melissa Benoist, Jacob Artist, Kevin McHale, Jane Lynch, Matthew Morrison, Darren Criss, Becca Tobin, Chris Colfer, Naya Rivera, Cory Monteith, Lea Michele and Dean Geyer. Picture: Fox

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Other highlights of her film career included I Know Who Killed Me in 2007 and Just Visiting in 2001.

Galloway Heitz’s funeral is being held on November 30 in Illinois, according to her obituary.

Her family requested donations be made to the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association instead of flowers.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission

Originally published as Jane Galloway Heitz who starred in Glee and The Big Bang Theory has died