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Honey, I Shrunk The Kids star Marcia Strassman dies aged 66 after long battle with breast cancer

Published: 20:57 EST, 26 October 2014 | Updated: 12:30 EST, 27 October 2014

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Marcia Strassman - who was best known for her role in the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter - has died age 66.

The actress died on Saturday after a long battle with breast cancer, her sister Julie Strassman confirmed, according to an article on Sunday by Variety.

Strassman portrayed the wife of title character Gabe Kotter who returned to his New York City high school to teach a group of unruly students known as the Sweathogs.

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Fan favourite: Marcia Strassman, shown in Octoberr 2011 in Los Angeles, died on Saturday at age 66 after a long fight with breast cancer

She played the supportive teacher's wife who occasionally becomes exasperated with his students and their frequent visits to the couple's apartment.

The show featured a young John Travolta as the Sweathogs' unofficial leader Vincent 'Vinnie' Barbarino and ran for four years on ABC..

News of her death was shared on Saturday by her friends Cher and Hollywood director Bob Weide.

Sitcom star: Marcia is shown in a 1975 promotional image for Welcome Back, Kotter

Lost a friend: Cher tweeted on Saturday about Marcia's death

Memorable role: Marcia is shwon with Rick Moranis in a scene from the 1989 comedy Honey, I Shrunk The Kids

Strassman was born in New York City and her sister said she came to Los Angeles at age 18.

Her early acting credits included an appearance on The Patty Duke Show in 1967 and she briefly charted as a singer with her single The Flower Children.

Strassman returned to acting and portrayed nurse Margie Cutler in several early episodes of MASH.

She also played the wife of Rick Moranis' scientist character in the 1989 comedy Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids star Marcia Strassman dies aged 66

Cancer research advocate: Marcia, shown in October 2004, also supported organizations fighting cancer

War nurse: Marcia played nurse Margie Cutler in early episodes of MASH

Strassman reprised the role in the 1992 sequel Honey, I Blew Up The Kid and in the 3-D spin-off Honey, I Shrunk The Audience! released in 1994.

She also was in the 1985 film The Aviator that starred Christopher Reeve and Roseanna Arquette.

Along with her acting, Strassman was a longtime member of the national board of the Screen Actors Guild.

Strassman was survived by her costume designer daughter Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Collector, along with her sister Julie and brother Steven Strassman.

Popular show: Julis is shown in a promo image for Welcome Back, Kotter along with John Travolta, Gabe Kaplan and other series stars

Welcome back: The cast of the show including Ellen Travolta, Gabe, Marcia, John, Robert Hegyes and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs reunited in 2011 at the TV Land Awards ceremony in New York City