Lynn Harriette Cohen (née Kay; August 10, 1933 – February 14, 2020) was an American actress known for her roles in film, television and theater. She was particularly known for her role as Magda in the HBO series Sex and the City, which she also played in the 2008 film of the same name and its 2010 sequel, as well as for portraying Mags in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mrs. Litvak in The Vigil.

Early life The daughter of Louis Kay and Bertha Cornsweet Kay, Lynn Harriette Kay was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to a Jewish family. She studied for a year each at the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University, after which she moved to St. Louis, where she began acting in regional theater.

Career Cohen began her career in the 1970s appearing in Off-Broadway productions, receiving Drama League Award and Lucille Lortel Awards nominations. Notable credits include Hamlet starring Kevin Kline and Macbeth starring Liev Schreiber. On Broadway, Cohen appeared in Orpheus Descending starring Vanessa Redgrave (1989) and Ivanov, reuniting her with Kevin Kline (1994).

Cohen consistently played powerful, impressive women. Her first notable film role was in the 1993 comedy Manhattan Murder Mystery. From 1993 to 2006, she played Judge Elizabeth Mizener in the NBC drama series Law & Order, appearing in a total of 12 episodes. She also guest-starred on NYPD Blue, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Blue Bloods, and had a recurring role on Damages.

From 2000 to 2004, Cohen had a recurring role as Magda in the HBO comedy series Sex and the City. She reprised her role in the 2008 film of the same name, as well as its 2010 sequel. Cohen also appeared in Munich (2005) as Golda Meir, Vanya on 42nd Street, Synecdoche, New York, Eagle Eye and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Personal life Cohen married Gilbert Frazen in 1957, and he died in 1960. In 1964, she married Ronald Theodore Cohen, and they remained married until her death in 2020. She had one adult child and two grandchildren.

Death Cohen died on February 14, 2020, in New York at the age of 86.

Selected filmography

Without a Trace (1983) – Woman with Dog Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) – Lillian House Law & Order (1993–2006, TV Series) – Judge Elizabeth Mizener Vanya on 42nd Street (1994) – Vonenskaya I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) – Hotel Earle Concierge Walking and Talking (1996) – Andrew's mom Everything Relative (1996) – Mrs. Kessler Hurricane Streets (1997) – Lucy Deconstructing Harry (1997) – Janet's mom Once We Were Strangers (1997) – Natasha My Divorce (1997) – Mother Cosby (1997, TV Series, Appeared in Episode: "Florida") – Dorothy Meschugge (1998) – Mrs. Fish Cradle Will Rock (1999) – Mama Silvano Just One Time (1999) – Sophia Fast Food Fast Women (2000) – Jesse Ten Hundred Kings (2000) – Anne Shephard Sex and the City (2000–2004, TV Series) – Magda The Jimmy Show (2001) – Ruth Hi-Yah! (2002, Short) – Gramma Fishing (2002) – Ruthie The Station Agent (2003) – Patty Evergreen (2004) – Grandmom Last Call (2004, Short) – Betsy The Last Days of Leni Riefenstahl (2005, Short) – Leni Riefenstahl While the Widow Is Away (2005, Short) – The Widow Munich (2005) – Golda Meir Invincible (2006) – Mrs. Spegnetti The Hottest State (2006) – Harris's mother Delirious (2006) – Muffy Morrison Days of Our Lives (2007, TV Series) – Ms. Ashwell The Summoning of Everyman (2007) – Doctor Ablution (2007, Short) – Esther Then She Found Me (2007) – Trudy Epner The Life Before Her Eyes (2007) – Sister Beatrice Across The Universe (2007) – Grandmother Carrigan Deception (2008) – Woman Sex and the City (2008) – Magda Synecdoche, New York (2008) – Caden's mother Eagle Eye (2008) – Mrs. Wierzbowski Eavesdrop (2008) – May Staten Island (2009) – Dr. Leikovic Everybody's Fine (2009) – Old Woman on First Train Damages (2009–2012, TV Series, Appearance in four episodes) – Stefania McKee Nurse Jackie (2009–2012, TV Series) – Mrs. Zimberger The Extra Man (2010) – Lois Huber Red Dead Redemption (2010, Video Game) – Mrs. Bush (voice) A Little Help (2010) – Mrs. Cosolito Sex and the City 2 (2010) – Magda Hello Lonesome (2010) – Eleanor The Kindergarten Shuffle (2010) – Lynn Somewhere Tonight (2011) – Mrs. Pecorino Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2011, TV Series, Appeared in Episode: "Beef") – Donna Rosa Doletti The Romance of Loneliness (2012) – Mina Not Waving but Drowning (2012) – Sylvia Art Machine (2012) – Roberta Where Is Joel Baum? (2012) – Mrs. Stein Bottled Up (2013) – Gladys A Case of You (2013) – Harriet Chasing Taste (2014) – Murial The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) – Mags Gabriel (2014) - Nonny They Came Together (2014) – Bubby The Cobbler (2014) – Sarah Simkin The Affair (2014, TV Series) – Joan Bailey Getting On (2014, TV Series) – Janice Carmaglia Deadbeat (2015, TV Series, Appeared in Episode: "Last Dance with Edith Jane") – Edith Jane All in Time (2015) – Mrs. Joshnman Master of None (2015, TV Series) – Carol A Woman Like Me (2015) – Alex's mom The Pickle Recipe (2016) – Rose Chicago Med (2016, TV Series, Appearance in one episode) – Rose Wechsler Sollers Point (2017) – Ladybug Walden: Life in The Woods (2017) – Alice Benji the Dove (2017) – Miss O'Dell Omphalos (2018) – Babs The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2018, TV Series) – Bubbabosia After Class (2019) – Agatha The World Without You (2019) – Gretchen Lingua Franca (2019) – Olga Feast of the Seven Fishes (2019) – Nonnie The Vigil (2019) – Mrs. Litvak God Friended Me (2020) – Rose

References

External links