Actress Janet Carroll, who played the mother of Tom Cruise's character in the movie "Risky Business", has died, at age 71. Carroll's son, George Brown, stated that Carroll passed away yesterday in New York after a long illness.
It has to be noted that the Chicago-born actress worked steadily since her breakthrough role in the 1983 Cruise movie.
Just for the record, her film credits include 1989 film "Family Business", alongside Sean Connery and Matthew Broderick, and "Memories of Me" with Billy Crystal in 1988.
On television, she had regular roles in shows including "Murphy Brown", "Melrose Place" and "Married With Children".
She also guest starred in programmes including "Cagney and Lacey", "Hill Street Blues", "The Golden Girls", "3rd Rock From the Sun", "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Ally McBeal".
More recently she made guest appearances on "Scrubs", "Brothers and Sisters" and "Law and Order".
"Risky Business" provided her breakthrough role as the mother who was unaware that her son was running a brothel in her own home while she was out of town.
Along with acting, Carroll also served as artistic director of the jazz series at the Simi Valley Cultural Centre in Southern California for many years and performed on tour with the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band.
A memorial service for Janet Carroll will be held Saturday in New York City.
R.I.P Janet Carroll
