Linda Porter obit

Linda Porter Dies: ‘Superstore’, ‘Twin Peaks’ Actress Was 86

 

She was not on the list.

Linda Porter, a character actress who appeared in dozens of TV series and feature films and was perhaps best known for her role as Myrtle in NBC’s Superstore, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. She was 86.

Porter most recently was seen in her recurring role as Cloud 9 employee Myrtle Vartanian in the May 16 Season 4 finale of Superstore. Fan favorite Myrtle had recently been rehired as new manager Amy’s (America Ferrera) assistant after being laid off in Season 3 and then brought back as a customer-greeting hologram.

Since Season 1, Porter had appeared in 35 episodes of the NBC comedy series, which returned for its fifth season last night. She had not filmed any Season 5 episodes before her death. The ensemble comedy will likely pay tribute to one of its guest-starring MVPs next week.

“Linda wasn’t just hilarious, she was incredibly sweet, energetic and enthusiastic – working with her brightened everyone’s day,” Superstore executive produces/co-showrunners Gabe Miller and Jonathan Green said on behalf of the show’s cast and crew. “We’re lucky to have been a small part of her long career. The Superstore family won’t be the same without her.”

Porter also recently recurred as Lady Slot-Addict in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks revival for Showtime. Her numerous other TV credits included guest roles in Childrens Hospital, Togetherness, 2 Broke Girls, Bunheads, The Mindy Project, How I Met Your Mother, as well as a number of Disney Channel programs including Raven’s Home and Phil of the Future.

Her film work includes Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday, Mercy and Dude Where’s My Car? She was most recently seen in 2017’s The House.

Superstore star Ben Feldman led the online tributes to Porter. “Here’s hoping the angels don’t call cut right away because your best stuff always came at the end. We’ll miss you Linda Porter,” he wrote next to a pair of on-set photos.

Danny Gura, who plays Elias on Superstore, remembered Porter on Twitter as someone “who was always smiling and always brightened up the Superstore set.”

“We lost a good one. R.I.P. Linda Porter, who was always smiling and always brightened up the Superstore set. This is a hard one. You will be missed,” Gura wrote.

Feldman and Gura were joined by other Superstore cast members and writer-producers who also fondly remembered Porter.

Actress

Mark McKinney, America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Colton Dunn, Lauren Ash, Kaliko Kauahi, Nichole Sakura, and Nico Santos in Superstore (2015)

Superstore

7.8

TV Series

Myrtle

2016–2019

36 episodes

 

Twin Peaks (2017)

Twin Peaks

8.5

TV Series

Lady Slot-Addict

2017

3 episodes

 

Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler in The House (2017)

The House

5.6

Old Lady

2017

 

Fred Armisen and Bill Hader in Documentary Now! (2015)

Documentary Now!

8.1

TV Series

Meredith SebastianOld Woman in Bed

2015–2016

2 episodes

 

Missi Pyle, Preston Jones, Mircea Monroe, Mark Jude Sullivan, and Debby Ryan in Sing It! (2016)

Sing It!

4.3

TV Series

Darrell's Grandmother

2016

1 episode

 

Childrens Hospital (2008)

Childrens Hospital

7.8

TV Series

Grandma Betty

2016

1 episode

 

Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016)

Pee-wee's Big Holiday

6.1

Mrs. Rose

2016

 

Melanie Lynskey, Amanda Peet, Mark Duplass, and Steve Zissis in Togetherness (2015)

Togetherness

7.5

TV Series

Elderly Reporter

2015

1 episode

 

Chandler Riggs in Mercy (2014)

Mercy

4.9

Henrietta

2014

 

Andy Daly in Review (2014)

Review

8.4

TV Series

2014

1 episode

 

Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs in 2 Broke Girls (2011)

2 Broke Girls

6.7

TV Series

Grace

2013

1 episode

 

Willem Dafoe in Love's Routine (2013)

Love's Routine

6.8

Short

Margie

2013

 

Jon Lovitz, Bill Bellamy, Alex Thomas, and Tony T. Roberts in Mr. Box Office (2012)

Mr. Box Office

3.9

TV Series

Sister Mary Katherine

2013

1 episode

 

Bunheads (2012)

Bunheads

7.6

TV Series

Mrs. Weidemeyer

2013

1 episode

 

Ike Barinholtz, Chris Messina, Mindy Kaling, Anna Camp, Zoe Jarman, and Ed Weeks in The Mindy Project (2012)

The Mindy Project

7.5

TV Series

Grandma Putch

2012

1 episode

 

Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Eden Sher, Charlie McDermott, and Atticus Shaffer in The Middle (2009)

The Middle

7.7

TV Series

Grandma Dot

2012

1 episode

 

Seth Green, Mila Kunis, Alex Borstein, and Seth MacFarlane in Family Guy (1999)

Family Guy

8.1

TV Series

Old Woman (voice)

2011

1 episode

 

Emma Roberts in American Horror Story (2011)

American Horror Story

7.9

TV Series

Mary

2011

1 episode

 

Chris Elliott, Maria Thayer, and Brett Gelman in Eagleheart (2011)

Eagleheart

7.4

TV Series

Phipps' Mother

2011

1 episode

 

Brenda Song, Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, and Debby Ryan in The Suite Life on Deck (2008)

The Suite Life on Deck

6.4

TV Series

Granny Pickett

2011

2 episodes

 

Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel, Josh Radnor, and Cobie Smulders in How I Met Your Mother (2005)

How I Met Your Mother

8.3

TV Series

Muriel

2010

1 episode

 

Gary Sinise and Sela Ward in CSI: NY (2004)

CSI: NY

7.0

TV Series

Mary Riesling

2010

1 episode

 

Greek (2007)

Greek

7.6

TV Series

ZBZ Songmaster

2009

1 episode

 

Kath & Kim (2008)

Kath & Kim

4.9

TV Series

Pearl

2009

1 episode

 

Uncross the Stars (2008)

Uncross the Stars

6.2

Phyllis

2008

 

Jason Lee, Jaime Pressly, Ethan Suplee, Eddie Steeples, and Nadine Velazquez in My Name Is Earl (2005)

My Name Is Earl

7.8

TV Series

Doris Johannsen

2008

1 episode

 

Skate. (2007)

Skate.

7.6

Video Game

Additional Voices

2007

 

Drake & Josh (2004)

Drake & Josh

7.7

TV Series

2007

1 episode

 

Raven-Symoné in That's So Raven (2003)

That's So Raven

6.7

TV Series

Gertie Grossman

2006

1 episode

 

Queen of Cactus Cove (2005)

Queen of Cactus Cove

7.5

Short

Mrs. Wadsworth

2005

 

Out of Practice (2005)

Out of Practice

7.5

TV Series

Doris

2005

1 episode

 

Matt LeBlanc in Joey (2004)

Joey

6.0

TV Series

Edith

2005

1 episode

 

Jerry Stiller, Kevin James, and Leah Remini in The King of Queens (1998)

The King of Queens

7.4

TV Series

Eloise

2005

1 episode

 

Tammy Lynn Michaels, Jennifer Finnigan, Darius McCrary, Tom Poston, and Josh Cooke in Committed (2005)

Committed

7.4

TV Series

Woman in Elevator

2005

1 episode

 

John C. McGinley, Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Michael Mosley, Dave Franco, Eliza Coupe, and Kerry Bishé in Scrubs (2001)

Scrubs

8.4

TV Series

Old Woman

2004

1 episode

 

Jennie Garth, Amanda Bynes, Leslie Grossman, Wesley Jonathan, Allison Munn, and Nick Zano in What I Like About You (2002)

What I Like About You

6.6

TV Series

Old Woman

2004

1 episode

 

Craig Anton, Lise Simms, Raviv Ullman, Aly Michalka, and Amy Bruckner in Phil of the Future (2004)

Phil of the Future

6.9

TV Series

Grandma Berwick

2004

1 episode

 

Jason Gedrick, Donnie Wahlberg, Gary Basaraba, Neal McDonough, Lana Parrilla, and Mykelti Williamson in Boomtown (2002)

Boomtown

8.1

TV Series

Shirley Donadoni

2003

1 episode

 

Drew Barrymore, Ben Stiller, and Eileen Essell in Duplex (2003)

Duplex

5.9

Old Biddy #2

2003

 

Patricia Richardson and Rosa Blasi in Strong Medicine (2000)

Strong Medicine

6.7

TV Series

2003

1 episode

 

Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham in Gilmore Girls (2000)

Gilmore Girls

8.2

TV Series

Fran Westin

2001–2003

3 episodes

 

Golden Brooks, Jill Marie Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Persia White in Girlfriends (2000)

Girlfriends

7.5

TV Series

Mrs. Nussbaum

2003

1 episode

 

Chevy Chase in The Karate Dog (2002)

The Karate Dog

2.8

Southern Beauty

2002

 

Tenacious D: Tribute (2002)

Tenacious D: Tribute

8.6

Music Video

Old Lady

2002

 

Frankie Muniz, Justin Berfield, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson, and Erik Per Sullivan in Malcolm in the Middle (2000)

Malcolm in the Middle

8.2

TV Series

Audrey

2001

1 episode

 

Holly Hunter and Ron Silver in When Billie Beat Bobby (2001)

When Billie Beat Bobby

6.1

TV Movie

Old Woman

2001

 

Michael J. Fox, Barry Bostwick, Alan Ruck, Michael Boatman, Connie Britton, Alexander Chaplin, and Richard Kind in Spin City (1996)

Spin City

7.3

TV Series

Woman #2

2000

1 episode

 

Jennifer Garner, Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Marla Sokoloff, and Sydney in Dude, Where's My Car? (2000)

Dude, Where's My Car?

5.5

Mrs. Crabbleman

2000

 

Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson in Dharma & Greg (1997)

Dharma & Greg

6.4

TV Series

Becky

2000

1 episode

 

Judging Amy (1999)

Judging Amy

7.1

TV Series

Ms. Duncan

2000

1 episode

 

Nancy Cartwright, Christine Cavanaugh, Tara Strong, Cheryl Chase, Elizabeth Daily, Dionne Quan, Kath Soucie, and Cree Summer in Rugrats (1991)

Rugrats

7.4

TV Series

Woman (voice)

2000

1 episode

 

Even Stevens (2000)

Even Stevens

7.6

TV Series

Lady in the Street

2000

1 episode

 

Casper Van Dien and Vanessa Angel in Partners (2000)

Partners

4.7

TV Movie

Older Woman

2000

 

Stanley's Gig (2000)

Stanley's Gig

6.3

Alice

2000

 

Dick Van Dyke and Barry Van Dyke in Diagnosis Murder (1993)

Diagnosis Murder

6.9

TV Series

Miss Winkle

2000

1 episode

 

One World (1998)

One World

6.7

TV Series

Edith

1999

1 episode

 

The Phantom Eye (1999)

The Phantom Eye

5.8

TV Series

Old Woman

1999

 

Debrah Farentino, Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Eric Christian Olsen, Christina Pickles, and Jon Tenney in Get Real (1999)

Get Real

7.3

TV Series

Office Assistant

1999

1 episode

 

The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human (1999)

The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human

6.3

The Wise Old Woman

1999

 

Clayton Rohner and Richard Brooks in Good vs Evil (1999)

Good vs Evil

7.5

TV Series

Mother Character

1999

1 episode

 

Stacey Dash, Rachel Blanchard, Elisa Donovan, Donald Faison, and Sean Holland in Clueless (1996)

Clueless

5.9

TV Series

Irma

1999

1 episode

 

Melrose Place (1992)

Melrose Place

6.0

TV Series

Nun

1999

1 episode

 

Kimberly J. Brown and Janet McTeer in Tumbleweeds (1999)

Tumbleweeds

6.7

Mrs. Boman

1999

 

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)

The X-Files

8.6

TV Series

Elderly Woman

1998

1 episode

 

Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Ming-Na Wen, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Eriq La Salle, Kellie Martin, Paul McCrane, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Maura Tierney, and Goran Visnjic in ER (1994)

ER

7.9

TV Series

Inga Paulson

1998

1 episode

 

Téa Leoni, George Wendt, Jonathan Penner, Mark Roberts, Darryl Sivad, and Holland Taylor in The Naked Truth (1995)

The Naked Truth

6.8

TV Series

Edwina

1997

1 episode

 

Becoming Rebecca

5.8

Ella

1996

 

Tony Shalhoub, Steven Weber, Amy Yasbeck, Crystal Bernard, and Tim Daly in Wings (1990)

Wings

7.3

TV Series

Little Old Lady

1996

1 episode

 

Daniella Deutscher in Hang Time (1995)

Hang Time

6.9

TV Series

Martha

1996

1 episode

 

Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo, and Ben Chaplin in The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996)

The Truth About Cats & Dogs

6.3

Newscast Auditioner

1996

 

Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser in Mad About You (1992)

Mad About You

6.8

TV Series

Mark's Elderly Patient

1995

1 episode

 

John Goodman, Roseanne Barr, Sara Gilbert, Michael Fishman, Alicia Goranson, and Laurie Metcalf in Roseanne (1988)

Roseanne

7.1

TV Series

Beverly's Friend

1995

1 episode

 

Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Peri Gilpin, and Jane Leeves in Frasier (1993)

Frasier

8.2

TV Series

Mary

1994

1 episode

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.3

TV Series

Clerk

1992

1 episode

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in Twins (1988)

Twins

6.2

Painter

1988

 

Baby M (1988)

Baby M

6.5

TV Mini Series

Dr. Einwohner

1988

1 episode

 

Who Gets the Friends? (1988)

Who Gets the Friends?

6.1

TV Movie

Manya

1988

 

Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman in Beauty and the Beast (1987)

Beauty and the Beast

7.0

TV Series

Elizabeth

1988

1 episode

 

The Battle of Love's Return (1971)

The Battle of Love's Return

4.1

1971

 

Thanks

Mark McKinney, America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Colton Dunn, Lauren Ash, Kaliko Kauahi, Nichole Sakura, and Nico Santos in Superstore (2015)

Superstore

7.8

TV Series

in memory of

2019

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Mark McKinney, America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Colton Dunn, Lauren Ash, Kaliko Kauahi, Nichole Sakura, and Nico Santos in Superstore (2015)

Superstore

7.8

TV Series

Myrtle (archive footage, uncredited)

2020–2021

2 episodes