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Two-time Oscar nominee Shirley Knight dies at 83

Rest in peace.
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Two-time Oscar nominee, Shirley Knight, died of natural causes on Wednesday at her daughter Kaitlin’s home in San Marcos, Texas. 

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WATCH: Shirley Knight in unforgettable kitchen scene from ‘As Good As It Gets’

Kaitlin announced the sad news via Facebook, paying tribute to the 83-year-old in a lengthy post. 

Early this morning April 22nd you passed away, and your sweet soul left us for a better place. I was at your side and you went peacefully,” she began. 

“To me, you were “just mom”, to some you were “Miss Knight”, “Miss Shirley”, “Mama Shirley” (to my students), “Shirl the Girl” (to your friends), and “Shirley Knight” to your fans. 

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“I think I’m still in shock and trying to process everything that has happened. Goodnight mama, sweet dreams, hug Dad for us. Rest in peace.” 

shurey
(Credit: Getty)

Knight’s career spanned over six decades and in that time, she earned a Tony, three Emmys and two Best Supporting Actress Oscar nods for her role in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs and Sweet Bird of Youth. She also made a name for herself as one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses when she starred alongside Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets.

The Kansas born star— who studied acting at the Pasadena Theatre school— continued to work as she approached 80, reprising her role as Mum in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 in 2015. She also guested on Hot in Cleveland in 2010 and The Mob Doctor in 2012.

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Other film credits include Mandoki’s Angel Eyes, The Salton SeaGrandma’s Boym, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, Our Idiot Brother and Mercy, based on a story by Stephen King. 

Before landing these roles, she played Phyllis Van de Kamp, the mother of Steven Culp’s Rex Van de Kamp in Desperate Housewives. She eventually scored an Emmy nomination for her impressive performance in the long-running ABC series. 

shirlehyknight
(Credit: Getty)

Her career in television began in the 80s with the actress winning an Emmy in 1988 for playing Mel Harris’ mother in Thirtysomething.

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Knight went on to win two Emmy’s in the same year for a supporting actress role in the TV drama Indictment: The McMartin Trial, and a second for a guest actress role as a murder victim in NYPD Blue.

She also guested on Playhouse 9077 Sunset StripHawaiian Eye and, decades later, on Law & OrderLaw & Order: SVUL.A. Law, Ally McBealHouse and ER

shirley
(Credit: Getty)

Away from the screens, Knight won a Tony award in 1976 for her performance in Robert Patrick’s play, Kennedy’s Children. In 1997, she was nominated for best actress in a play for Horton Foote’s Pulitzer Prize winner, The Young Man From Atlanta.

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