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Entertainment • Actor

Marcia Strassman

Marcia Strassman was an American actress and singer best known for playing Julie Kotter on the television sitcom *Welcome Back, Kotter* and Diane Szalinski in the *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids* films.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Marcia Strassman was an American actress and singer best known for playing Julie Kotter on the television sitcom *Welcome Back, Kotter* and Diane Szalinski in the *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids* films. Born in New York City in 1948, she worked in television, film, and music from the 1960s until her death in 2014. Her performances reached Canadian audiences through syndication and family films.

Early life

Strassman was born in New York City and grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. Sources describe her as one of four children.

Acting career

Her career included television and film roles across several decades. Her best-known performances were in *Welcome Back, Kotter* and the *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids* films.

Music career

Before becoming widely known as an actress, Strassman also pursued music. She recorded the single "The Flower Children" in 1967.

Death

Strassman was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in 2007 and died in Sherman Oaks, California, in 2014. Sources identify the cause of death as breast cancer.

Key facts

  • Marcia Strassman was an American actress and singer known for *Welcome Back, Kotter* and *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*.
  • She was born in New York City and raised in Passaic, New Jersey.
  • She began performing as a teenager and appeared on television early in her career.
  • She recorded the 1967 single "The Flower Children".
  • She died of breast cancer in Sherman Oaks in 2014.
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Canadian context

Marcia Strassman’s work was widely seen in Canada through American television syndication and family films, especially *Welcome Back, Kotter* and *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Marcia Strassman?
She was an American actress and singer best known for *Welcome Back, Kotter* and the *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids* films.
What was Marcia Strassman’s full name?
Her full name was Marcia Ann Strassman.
What was Marcia Strassman known for?
She was known primarily for playing Julie Kotter on *Welcome Back, Kotter* and Diane Szalinski in *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*.
When was Marcia Strassman born?
She was born on April 28, 1948.
When did Marcia Strassman die?
She died on October 24, 2014, in Sherman Oaks, California.
Was Marcia Strassman also a singer?
Yes. She recorded music early in her career, including the 1967 single "The Flower Children."

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0833519/
    Supports: Birth date and general biographical details.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcia_Strassman
    Supports: Birth and death dates, nationality, and place of death.
  3. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/person/marcia-strassman/umc.cpc.5yn1u5ky2nmtl5cesqlkb70iq
    Supports: Career overview, early life, music single, and major roles.
  4. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-marcia-strassman-20141028-story.html
    Supports: Death, age, cause of death, and major acting credits.
  5. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/strassman-marcia-1948
    Supports: Birth date, family details, marriage, and career notes.