American actress best known for her role as Nancy Kaufberger in the Netflix series House of Cards Elizabeth Larrabee Norment died on October 13, 2014 at the age of 61.
She attended Yale University, and had performed in several theater roles before moving into television.
While she made guest appearances in many other high-profile television shows, including “Doogie Howser, MD” (ABC 1989-1993) , “ER” (NBC 1994-2009), “Party of Five” (Fox 1994-2000) and “Law & Order” (NBC 1990-2010), her resume was also notable for small parts in the Gene Wilder-starring romantic comedy “The Woman in Red” (1984) and the Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow slapstick comedy “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” (1997).
Born in Washington and partly raised in Japan and Germany while her father was in the CIA, Norment began acting professionally in 1980 following her graduation from Yale University, when she was invited to join Robert Brustein’s American Repertory Theatre (ART).
Developing a career in theatre before she transferred to the screen, many of Norment’s early roles were with companies such as Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and the Colony Theater in Los Angeles.
As Nancy Kaufberger on Netflix’s “House of Cards,” Norment kept Spacey’s ambitious politico Frank Underwood straight, or at least, as straight as possible.
“Everyone at ‘House of Cards’ is deeply saddened by Elizabeth’s passing. She was a talented actress, a warm soul and a good friend to us all,” the show’s executive producer Beau Willimon said in a statement.
MRC, the studio that produces “House of Cards,” also released a statement: “Elizabeth Norment was a talented actress with a beautiful spirit who touched the entire House of Cards family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”
She received a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama in 1979, and joined Robert Brustein’s American Repertory Theatre as a founding member as mentioned before.
Norment is survived by many of her family members, including her mother.
Even the show’s production company, Media Rights Capital, has publicly reacted to Norment’s death.
In a statement to CNN, the company sent well-wishes to all those affected.
“Elizabeth Norment was a talented actress with a beautiful spirit who touched the entire ‘House of Cards’ family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.” Born in Washington, D.C., Norment launched her professional acting career in 1980 after graduating from Yale University, joining Robert Brustein’s American Repertory Theatre.
Her early stage career included stints with the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and Los Angeles’ Colony Theatre.
Norment’s stage credits included “As You Like It” and “Much Ado About Nothing.”