'ER' Actress Mary Mara Dies From'Swimming Accident' At 61

Actress Mary Mara known for roles in "ER" and "Law & Order" has tragically passed away after her body was found over the weekend. She was 61.

Authorities of the New York State Police broke the heartbreaking news of Mara's demise via a statement on their website confirming that a body was found following an apparent drowning.

Mara's body was found after the police responded to a call for a reported possible drowning at 33753 Old Farm Road in Cape Vincent, Jefferson Country.

The late TV actress' body was found in the St. Lawrence River. Authorities noted that "preliminary investigation suggests the victim drowned while swimming."

No sign of foul play was detected in Mara's death and her body has since been transported "to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office pending an autopsy to determine an official cause of death" in the ongoing investigation.

According to the "Criminal Minds" star's brother-in-law Scott Dailey, Mara was visiting her sister Martha's summer home when the unfortunate "swimming accident" happened.

Her manager Craig Dorfman mourned her painful loss in a statement to People Magazine, saying, "I still remember seeing her onstage in 1992 in "Mad Forest" off-Broadway. She was electric, funny, and a true individual. Everyone loved her. She will be missed."

Dorfman described her as "one of the finest actresses I ever met."

Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, the late Mara began her acting career in 1989 after attending San Francisco State University and Yale School of Drama. Before her television debut in "The Preppie Murder," the actress found a theatre group in Bay Area.

Following the success of her role in "The Preppie Murder," Mara began scoring more roles, having over 80 television credits to her name. Some notable television shows she has featured in included "NYPD Blue," "Gideon's Crossing," Ray Donovan," "Star Trek: Enterprise," "Shameless," Lost," "Dexter," "The Practice," "The Westwing," "Monk," and "Farscape."

Perhaps her most famous roles were that of patient Loretta Sweet in "ER" and Inspector Bryn Carson in "Nash Bridges."

After thriving in television, Mara ventured onto the big screen and made her first movie debut in the 1992 film, "Love Potion No. 9," and in that same year starred as Billy Crystal's daughter in "Mr. Saturday Night."

Her other movie credits include, "A Civil Action," "Gridiron Gang," "Bound," "K-Pax," and "Prom Night." She retired in 2020, making her last screen appearance in the film, "Break Even."

Mara also had some theatre experience, participating in the New York Shakespeare Festival production of “Twelfth Night” alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeff Goldblum, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Gregory Hines.

Not much was known about Mara's personal or romantic life but she was survived by her stepdaughter Katie Mersola, sisters Martha Mara and Susan Dailey, brother-in-law Scott Dailey, and nephew Christopher Dailey.

Her obituary as obtained by People Magazine reads, "She specialized in complex portrayals of often-troubled characters; perhaps the most familiar was her recurring role in the 1990s of Loretta Sweet, a sympathetic, down-and-out prostitute and single mother on the NBC series, 'ER"

Following the news of her death, colleagues and fans have taken to social media to mourn her loss.

"General Hospital" star Jon Lindstrom paid tribute to Mara's legacy via a tweet, "Crushed to learn of Mary Mara’s untimely passing. We performed together back in 2008 in Malcolm Danare’s “In Heat” at the Lost Playhouse in LA. She was plowing through the aftereffects of Chemo. Brave, brilliant, Uber-talented. Earth will be much less-colorful without her. R.I.P."

"Seinfeld" star Angela Featherstone mourned the late actress, writing, "I'm damned disappointed to hear that the indelible Mary Mara has left this realm. I will say, that I'd expect nothing less of her than that she go swimming the St. Lawrence River. One of the best, that lady. A true inspiration in character and talent."

One fan wrote, "Nobody should have to go through that... ??," while another comment read, "The hardest and difficult thing a family can go through losing I love One is it’s so devastating I’m so sorry for the family's loss."

May her soul rest in peace.