Sex and the City actress Frances Sternhagen dead at 93

A veteran actress best-known for playing one of Sex and the City’s most memorable supporting characters has died.

Frances as overbearing mother-in-law Kitty.

Veteran actress Frances Sternhagen, best known for her roles on the iconic TV series Cheers and Sex and the City, has died at the age of 93.

A character actress who appeared in a wide range of theatre, film and TV roles since starting her career in the 1950s, Sternagen would be most recognisable to many for her memorable role as Bunny MacDougal on Sex and the City.

Bunny was the overbearing mother-in-law to Charlotte (Kristin Davis), smothering her adult son Trey (Kyle MacLachlan) with her affections throughout the 10 episodes she appeared on the show.

Three’s a crowd: Frances (left) as Charlotte’s overbearing mother-in-law Bunny.

She also had a seven-episode arc on Cheers, and appeared in 19 episodes of the hit 90s medical drama ER.

Sternhagen retired from acting around a decade ago – final screen credit was in the 2014 Rob Reiner romantic comedy And So It Goes.

She provided some of Sex and the City’s funniest moments with her “monster-in-law” character Bunny.

Sternhagen’s son, actor John Carlin, announced the news of his mother’s death on Instagram overnight, writing that “she died peacefully at her home, a month and a half shy of her 94th birthday.”

Sternhagen in 2008. She retired from acting a few years later. Picture: Getty

Sternhagen appeared in 10 episodes of Sex and the City.

“I will post more soon, but for now I just want to give thanks for the remarkable gift of an artist and human being that was Frances Sternhagen. She was beloved by many. I’m very lucky I was able to call her my mom, my friend, my song and dance partner,” he continued, sharing a number of candid photos of his mother from throughout her life – including one that appeared to show them together in her later years, after she had retired from the public eye.

Frances' son posted this photo of her later years …

And this photo of her as a young mother.

“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, and am there now. Set to perform some new songs (one of which was inspired by her) this weekend. She always encouraged my writing, and enjoyed my singing. I’ll fly back very early the next day,” he wrote.

“Fly on, Frannie. The curtain goes down on a life so richly, passionately, humbly and generously lived.”

Sternhagen married fellow actor Thomas Carlin in 1956, and they were together until his death in 1991.

The couple had six children together.