Actress Mary Mara, best known for her dramatic roles on television shows including ER, Ray Donovan and Nash Bridges, has died in what New York authorities said appeared to be a drowning accident. She was 61.
The New York State Police said Monday (June 27) a woman identified as Mara was found shortly after 8am Sunday in the St. Lawrence River near Cape Vincent, in upstate New York close to the Canadian border.
NYSP's preliminary "investigation suggests the victim (Mara) drowned while swimming," according to a release.
Upon examination, Mara's body "showed no signs of foul play". The actress' body was transported to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner's Office to determine an official cause of death.
The investigation is ongoing.
In a statement to USA Today on Monday, her manager, Craig Dorfman, described her as "electric, funny, and a true individual".
"Mary was one of the finest actresses I ever met," her manager continued. "Everyone loved her."
The St. Lawrence River runs through the town of Cape Vincent, New York, where Mara was a resident, the release states. Mara was staying with her sister at the time, NYSP Trooper Jack L. Keller confirmed to USA Today on Monday.
Born in Syracuse, New York, Mara studied acting at San Francisco State University and the Yale School of Drama before making her showbiz debut as Susan Bird in the TV movie The Preppie Murder in 1989.
In the 1990s, Mara would go on to score roles in the medical drama ER and the crime drama Nash Bridges, playing Loretta Sweet and Insp. Bryn Carson respectively.
Mara landed a few roles in the Law & Order universe as well, appearing on Law & Order in 1999 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2005.
The actress also graced the silver screen, making her film debut in the Kathryn Bigelow action drama Blue Steel, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Ron Silver. Mara appeared in films such as Mr. Saturday Night, Love Potion No. 9 and Prom Night.
Mara's final acting role was in the 2020 action film Break Even. – USA Today/Tribune News Service
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