by Stanley Azuakola
Actress Kathryn Joosten died on Friday June 1st after a long battle with cancer. She was 72. Kathyrn Joosten was best known for her role in the award-winning TV drama comedy series Desperate Housewives, in which she starred as the meddlesome neighbour Karen McKluskey.
Her death came less than three weeks after the Desperate Housewives’ finale, which, perhaps presciently, saw the death of her character Mrs. McKluskey.
Joosten won two Emmys for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her Desperate Housewives role, in 2005 and 2008, and was nominated for a third time in 2010.
Although, her performance in Desperate Housewives was her most recognizable, she’d previously starred in The West Wing as Mrs. Landingham, secretary to President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) for the series’ first two seasons until her character died in a car crash.
She also had memorable TV roles on Scrubs, Joan of Arcadia, My Name Is Earl, General Hospital, and Dharma & Greg.
Joosten was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001. The cancer returned in September 2009. After Joosten underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatments, she was officially declared cancer-free in January 2010. She was an advocate for lung cancer awareness and research, even doing speaking engagements on her battle.
R.i.p Mrs McCluskey. Not one of my favorite characters on DH cos of her nosey nature but what a fantastic actress she was.
Awwwwww RIP Kathryn Joosten or as I fondly remember you Mrs Karen McKlusky. #TeamDHW.