Actress. She majored in English and speech at the University of Illinois, and worked briefly as a high school teacher. She then received an acting fellowship for the masters program of the University of Illinois, but left after a semester to join the cast of Godspell on Broadway. Her career progressed to many roles in movies and television, as well as on stage. She appeared in movies such as "The Warriors" (1979), "Tootsie" (1982), "Lean On Me" (1989) and "Shaft" (2000). She is by far best known and most fondly remembered though for her role as The Chief on the PBS game show series "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" She played the tough chief of the ACME detective agency, and helped lead the contestants, along with host Greg Lee, through each episode pursuing Carmen and her crooks. It ran from 1991 to 1996 and Lynne received four Emmy nominations for her part. Played "Grace Keefer" on "All My Children" 1993-2000. Soon after it ended Lynne reprised her role as The Chief on "Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?" In 1997 Lynne won a Tony award for "An American Daughter." Lynne was well-known in the roles she was playing at the time of her death, namely Luna on "The Bear in the Big Blue House" and Ella Farmer on "The District."
Actress. She majored in English and speech at the University of Illinois, and worked briefly as a high school teacher. She then received an acting fellowship for the masters program of the University of Illinois, but left after a semester to join the cast of Godspell on Broadway. Her career progressed to many roles in movies and television, as well as on stage. She appeared in movies such as "The Warriors" (1979), "Tootsie" (1982), "Lean On Me" (1989) and "Shaft" (2000). She is by far best known and most fondly remembered though for her role as The Chief on the PBS game show series "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" She played the tough chief of the ACME detective agency, and helped lead the contestants, along with host Greg Lee, through each episode pursuing Carmen and her crooks. It ran from 1991 to 1996 and Lynne received four Emmy nominations for her part. Played "Grace Keefer" on "All My Children" 1993-2000. Soon after it ended Lynne reprised her role as The Chief on "Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?" In 1997 Lynne won a Tony award for "An American Daughter." Lynne was well-known in the roles she was playing at the time of her death, namely Luna on "The Bear in the Big Blue House" and Ella Farmer on "The District."
Bio by: Paul S.
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Thigpen memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
