Lauren Chapin has passed away at the age of 80 following a five-year battle with cancer. The actor was best known for the role of Kathy “Kitten” Anderson on Father Knows Best, a sitcom from the mid 1950s.
Lauren Chapin has died aged 80 after a five-year cancer battle
Lauren’s son, Matthew Chapin, announced his mom’s passing on Facebook earlier this week. “After a long hard fought battle over the past five years, the time has come,” he said on February 24. “My mother, Lauren Chapin, passed away from her battle with cancer tonight.”
Matthew went on: “I’m at a complete loss for words right now. Please keep my sister and family in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this incredibly tough time.”
In the comment section, there were plenty of supportive messages from fans and celebrity friends alike. “So sorry for your loss,” one person wrote. “Deepest condolences on the loss of your mother. Sending you strength to get through the days to come. I hope your cherished memories can bring you some peace,” said someone else.
“Keeping you and your family in my thoughts. I’m so so sorry,” added a third.
Lauren was born in Los Angeles in 1945 and went on to become a child superstar when she landed the role of Kathy on Father Knows Best. She starred as the on-screen daughter of Robert Young and Jane Wyatt’s Jim and Margaret Anderson. Across the show’s six seasons, Lauren won five Junior Emmys for Best Child Actress for her role on the sitcom.
Lauren later took a break from screen acting, but talked extensively about her life in the limelight and the struggles of being a child actor in Hollywood during appearances on late-night shows and TV specials. She went on to sit on the Board of Directors for A Minor Consideration, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of child actors.
In 1989, Lauren wrote an autobiography about her life, titled: Father Does Know Best.
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