Lynn Cohen

Lynn Cohen Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: August 10, 1933

Death Date: February 14, 2020

Birth Place: Kansas City, Missouri

Veteran actress Lynn Cohen established a successful career playing a string of supporting roles on both television and in films, often as a caring mother or an old-fashioned housekeeper. Early in her career, she had minor parts in films like "Manhattan Murder Mystery" (1993) and Deconstructing Harry" (1997), before she went on to guest star on popular crime dramas such as "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 1993-2005). Cohen's most memorable role was on the hit series "Sex and the City" (HBO, 1998-2004), as America's favorite judgmental housekeeper Magda to Cynthia Nixon's straight-shooting lawyer Miranda Hobbes. The role gave Cohen mainstream appeal, and paved the way for more high-profile projects like the action-adventure "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (2013) for her to prove her range and enduring dedication to her craft.

Born in Kansas City, MO, Lynn Cohen trained at Michael Howard Studios in New York City. She launched her acting career with featured parts in films such Woody Allen's "Manhattan Murder Mystery" and Deconstructing Harry," as well as in several films where she often took on motherly roles. Cohen appeared on the popular ABC crime drama series "NYPD Blue," and landed supporting roles in a string of American and international films. In 2000, Cohen landed a recurring role on the HBO series "Sex and the City," where she played Magda, the housekeeper of high-powered attorney Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), one of four outspoken and well-heeled thirty-something women (Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, and Kristin Davis) who, in between sips of cocktails, dissect relationships and dating in New York City. Early in the series, Cohen's character often voiced her disapproval about Hobbes' independent lifestyle, particularly her sexual choices and lack of domestic skills. As the series progressed, however, her relationship with her employer evolved into a more personal and loving relationship, with Magda taking on a more motherly role towards Miranda and her young son. A fan favorite, Cohen reprised her role in the series' film adaptations, the smash hit "Sex and the City" (2008) and its less than stellar sequel "Sex and the City 2" (2010).

Television provided steady work for Cohen; she guest starred on the drama series "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (NBC, 2001-2011) and had a recurring role as a judge on "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010). Aside from her television projects, Cohen also took on roles in films like the critically acclaimed historical drama "Munich" (2005), where she delivered a compelling performance as Golda Meir, the former Israeli Prime Minister who gave the instructions to kill the Palestinians who were involved in the Munich attack during the 1972 Summer Olympics. In 2009, Cohen guest starred on the dark comedy series "Nurse Jackie" (Showtime, 2009), starring Edie Falco as a drug-addicted nurse who tries to balance the demands of her frenetic personal and professional lives. In 2012, Cohen landed a pivotal role in the film adaptation of "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" (2013), based on Suzanne Collins' 2008 international bestselling trilogy about children forced to compete in a bloody game of survival. In the film, she played Mags, an 80-year-old former Hunger Games champion who mentors one of the Tributes, Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin). Cohen also becomes an unlikely ally to the film's heroine, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), during the deadly Quarter Quell battle. Cohen continued working steadily well into her 80s, including a recurring role on Amy Sherman-Palladino's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon, 2018- ). Lynn Cohen died on February 14, 2020 at the age of 86.

Credits

Lingua Franca

Actor
Olga
Movie
2019

The Vigil

Actor
Mrs. Litvak
Movie
2019

The World Without You

Actor
Gretchen
Movie
2019

God Friended MeStream

Guest Star
Rose
Series
2018
59%

7 Splinters in Time

Actor
Babs
Movie
2018

Olympia

Self
Movie
2018

Yoshua

Actor
Show
2017

Oma

Actor
Movie
2017

Walden: Life in the Woods

Actor
Alice
Movie
2017

Benji the Dove

Actor
Miss O'Dell
Movie
2017

The Pickle Recipe

Actor
Rose
Movie
2016

Chicago MedStream

Guest Star
Rose Wechsler
Series
2015

All in Time

Actor
Mrs. Joshman
Movie
2015

DeadbeatStream

Actor
Edith Jane
Series
2014

Gabriel

Actor
Nonny
Movie
2014

The Cobbler

Actor
Sarah Simkin
Movie
2014

Floating Sunflowers

Actor
Old Lady
Movie
2014

A Case of You

Actor
Harriet
Movie
2013

Chasing Taste

Actor
Murial
Movie
2013

The Hunger Games: Catching FireStream

Actor
Mags
Movie
2013
90%

Art Machine

Actor
Roberta
Movie
2012

Not Waving But Drowning

Actor
Sylvia
Movie
2012

The Romance of Loneliness

Actor
Mina
Movie
2012

Somewhere Tonight

Actor
Mrs. Pecorino
Movie
2011

Blue BloodsStream

Guest Star
Mrs. Costello
Series
2010

Sex and the City 2

Actor
Magda
Movie
2010

The Extra Man

Actor
Lois
Movie
2010

Hello Lonesome

Actor
Eleanor
Movie
2010

A Little Help

Actor
Mrs. Cosolito
Movie
2010

The Kindergarten Shuffle

Actor
Lynn
Movie
2010

Nurse JackieStream

Guest Star
Mrs. Zimberg
Series
2009
81%

Open Air

Actor
Dreena
Movie
2009

Staten Island

Actor
Dr. Leikovic
Movie
2009

Eagle Eye

Actor
Mrs. Wierzbowski
Movie
2008

Sex and the CityStream

Actor
Magda
Movie
2008
50%

DeceptionStream

Actor
Woman
Movie
2008
11%

Then She Found Me

Actor
April's mother
Movie
2007

While the Widow Is Away

Actor
The Widow
Movie
2005

Evergreen

Actor
Grandmom
Movie
2004

The Jimmy Show

Actor
Ruth
Movie
2002

Law & Order: Criminal IntentStream

Guest Star
Series
2001

Fast Food, Fast Women

Actor
Jesse
Movie
2000

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
Art Teacher
Series
1999
78%

Sex and the CityStream

Guest Star
Magda
Series
1998
70%

Meschugge

Actor
David's Mother
Movie
1998

Once We Were Strangers

Actor
Natasha
Movie
1998

Soul Man

Guest Star
Show
1997

Hurricane

Actor
Lucy
Movie
1997

CosbyStream

Guest Star
Series
1996

Walking and Talking

Actor
Andrew's Mom
Movie
1996

Vanya, 42ème rue

Actor
Movie
1994

Vanya on 42nd Street

Actor
Maman
Movie
1994

NYPD BlueStream

Guest Star
Margaret McClurg
Series
1993
83%

Manhattan Murder MysteryStream

Actor
Lillian House
Movie
1993
94%

Law & OrderStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

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