Mary Frann

 Mary Frann, born Mary Frances Luecke (February 27, 1943 – September 23, 1998)

Frann was best known for her role as Bob Newhart's wife, Joanna Loudon, on Newhart, which aired from 1982 to 1990. In 1964, Frann made her television debut in an episode of the Kraft Suspense Theatre. That same year, she appeared in the television movie Nightmare in Chicago, starring Carroll O'Connor. In 1966, Frann made her film debut in the low budget musical drama Nashville Rebel, starring Waylon Jennings. In 1968, she moved to Los Angeles where she stayed with her best friend, actress Joan Van Ark. Shortly after her arrival, Frann won a role on the NBC series My Friend Tony. For the next five years, Frann continued to work in television and also worked in theatre in Los Angeles and New York. In 1974, she landed the role of Amanda Howard on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. She would remain on the show until 1979. Frann also appeared on Quincy, M.E., The Rockford Files, Fantasy Island, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and WKRP in Cincinnati. In 1978, she was almost cast on Dallas, in the role of Sue Ellen Ewing, but producers chose Linda Gray. During the run of Newhart, Frann continued acting in various projects. In 1985, she co-starred in the TV movie Gidget's Summer Reunion. Frann also co-hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants of 1986 and 1987, and acted as hostess for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Parade. On September 23, 1998, Frann died in her sleep at her home in Beverly Hills, California.

An autopsy later determined that she died of a heart attack and also suffered from an undiagnosed scarring of the heart muscle tissue. She is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA.