If you’ve binged Modern Family lately, you probably noticed a recurring face that feels like a warm, slightly exhausted hug. I’m talking about Margaret. She was Jay Pritchett’s long-suffering assistant at Pritchett's Closets & Blinds, played by the late, great Marsha Kramer.
Honestly, Marsha Kramer was one of those "Oh, I know her!" actors. You might not have known her name immediately, but her face was everywhere for decades. When she passed away in 2020, it hit the Modern Family cast and long-time fans pretty hard. She wasn't just a background player; she was a piece of the show's soul.
Why Marsha Kramer in Modern Family Stole Every Scene
Marsha Kramer joined the show back in 2013 during Season 5. She played Margaret, the woman who basically kept Jay Pritchett’s life from falling apart while he barked orders about closet hinges.
She appeared in 14 episodes. That might not sound like a lot for a show with 250 episodes, but her impact was huge. Margaret was the bridge between Jay’s "old school" way of doing things and the chaotic modern world his kids lived in.
In her final appearance—the Season 11 episode "A Game of Chicken"—we actually got to see Margaret retire. It was a beautiful, meta moment because, in reality, Marsha was nearing the end of her own journey. Seeing Jay (Ed O'Neill) struggle to let go of her was basically the writers' way of saying goodbye to the actress herself.
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The Career You Probably Didn't Realize She Had
Most people only know Marsha Kramer from Modern Family, but her resume was kind of insane. She wasn't just a TV guest star. She was a theater heavyweight.
Way back in 1979, she played Wendy in the Broadway revival of Peter Pan. She starred opposite Sandy Duncan. Imagine that—soaring over a Broadway stage every night. She also had a massive career in "looping" and ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement). If you've watched The Simpsons Movie, Antz, or The LEGO Movie, you’ve probably heard her voice or the background "walla" she helped create.
She was also a fixture in the Los Angeles theater scene. She co-founded the Musical Theater Guild and worked with Classic & Contemporary American Plays. She basically spent her life making sure theater stayed alive for the next generation.
A Quick Look at Her Top Roles
- Frasier: She appeared in three episodes as Tooty/Anne.
- Malcolm in the Middle: She played Toni.
- NCIS: A memorable turn as "Old Woman" in the 2018 episode "What Child Is This?"
- Days of Our Lives: She spent some time in the soap world as Nurse Emily.
What Happened to Marsha Kramer?
Marsha passed away on January 23, 2020. She was 74.
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The news was shared by Modern Family casting director Jeff Greenberg, who had been friends with her for decades. He posted a heartfelt tribute on Twitter (now X), remembering her as "delightful" and "iconic."
It’s worth noting that some people get her confused with Marcia Kramer, the New York political reporter. They are two different people. Our Marsha was the UCLA and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art-trained actress who brought Margaret to life with such dry, perfect wit.
Why Her Role as Margaret Still Resonates
Margaret was the only person who could really talk back to Jay without him getting genuinely angry. She represented a loyal, disappearing era of workforce culture. When Claire took over the company, the dynamic changed, but Margaret remained the North Star.
Her performance was a masterclass in "less is more." A simple eye roll or a heavy sigh from Margaret told you everything you needed to know about Jay’s mood that day.
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Moving Forward: How to Honor Her Legacy
If you want to dive deeper into her work, don't just stop at the sitcoms.
First, go back and watch her retirement episode in Modern Family Season 11. It hits differently when you know she passed away shortly after filming. It’s a rare moment where a show gets to give a character—and an actor—a proper, dignified send-off.
Second, if you're a theater nerd, look into the Musical Theater Guild in Los Angeles. She put her heart into that organization. Supporting local theater or youth drama programs is exactly how Marsha Kramer would have wanted her legacy to continue.
Finally, pay attention to the credits next time you watch a big animated movie. When you see "Loop Group" or "ADR," remember that people like Marsha are the ones who make those worlds feel "full" and real, even if they aren't the ones on the poster.
She was a pro's pro. A "working actor" in the best sense of the word. We don't get many like her anymore.