HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

How did Liz Sheridan die? Jerry Seinfeld’s TV mom, 93, had worked as nightclub dancer

Throughout the 1970s, Sheridan was cast in Broadway productions, in plays and musicals

Liz Sheridan, known for playing Jerry Seinfeld’s sitcom mom, died aged 93. The actress was seen as an overprotective mom Helen Seinfeld in as many as 21 episodes of 'Seinfeld' from 1990 to 1998.

Sheridan reportedly died from natural causes on Friday, April 15. Besides her role in 'Seinfeld', the star is also known for portraying the nosy neighbor, Mrs Ochmonek, on 'ALF'. She began her professional life in New York City and the Caribbean as a nightclub dancer and singer, eventually moving on to stage work. Throughout the 1970s, she was cast in Broadway productions in plays and musicals. She co-starred with Meryl Streep and Christopher Lloyd in the 1977 musical 'Happy End'.

READ MORE

Taylor Hawkins death: Celebrities mourn death of Foo Fighters drummer at 50

Who were Kathryn Hays' husbands? ‘Star Trek’ and 'As the World Turns’ star dies at 87

Born in Rye, New York, Sheridan was the daughter of concert singer Elizabeth Poole-Jones and classical pianist Frank Sheridan. Sheridan met James Dean while she worked as a dancer in New York City nightclubs. She later went on to write a book, 'Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life with James Dean: A Love Story', about the time they spent together. In the book, she wrote how they were each other's first romantic love.

Sheridan eventually married jazz musician William Dale Wales, who died in 2003. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law. Her death comes only a few weeks after the death of Estelle Harris, who played the mother of another Seinfeld character, George Costanza.

On Friday afternoon, Seinfeld paid tribute to his TV mom on Twitter, saying, "Liz was always the sweetest, nicest TV mom a son could wish for. Every time she came on our show it was the coziest feeling for me. So lucky to have known her."

Tributes poured in on social media soon after the news of Sheridan's death surfaced. "We've lost two Seinfeld moms in the span of two weeks rest in peace Liz Sheridan. Speechless," one user wrote. "A sad month for Seinfeld fans. Two weeks ago Estelle Harris (George’s mother) passed away three weeks before her 94th birthday. Today, Liz Sheridan (Jerry’s mother) passed away five days after her 93rd birthday. Two great actresses RIP," wrote another.

"RIP Liz Sheridan. One of the greatest TV moms ever," one user said, while another wrote, "You may have known her as Jerry's Mom in Seinfeld but she'll always be Mrs. Ochmonek from Alf to me. R.I.P. Liz Sheridan." "Another piece of childhood has passed. Many people remember Liz Sheridan as playing the part of Helen Seinfeld, but 80s fans remember her best as nosy neighbor Raquel Ochmonek on the 1986-1990 NBC series “Alf”. Sheridan, who died just days after her birthday, was 93," one user commented.

Disclaimer: This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.