Cherlynne Theresa “Lynne” Thigpen
Cherlynne Theresa “Lynne” Thigpen was found dead at her home in Marina del Rey, California, by a friend. She was famous for her roles as “The Chief” in the various Carmen Sandiego television series from 1991-1995, and as Miss Barrett in the 1989 dramatized biographical film Lean On Me, co-starring Morgan Freeman.
The 54-year-old actress, until her death, had not been seriously ill, and her death came as a surprise and shock. Drugs and foul play were ruled out by the coroner’s autopsy, which found “acute cardiac dysfunction, non-traumatic systemic and spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage and hemorrhage in the brain,” as the causes of death.
The film “Anger Management” (2003) starring actors Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson is dedicated to her memory.