'The Simpsons' star Marcia Wallace dies at age 70

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Actress Marcia Wallace died at the age of 70.

Marcia Wallace, the star of "The Bob Newhart Show" and "The Simpsons," died Friday, according to a several media reports. She was 70 and had reportedly been in ill health, although her the cause of her condition was not specified.

Wallace's blazing red hair and bubbly delivery were tailor made for the role of the straight-laced Newhart's daffy receptionist on the hit CBS show. In fact, the part was written specifically for her at the behest of CBS founder Bill Paley.

She would remain with "The Bob Newhart Show" for its six-season run before seguewaying into guest appearances on shows like "ALF" and “Murphy Brown," and becoming a regular presence on game shows such as "The 25,000 Pyramid" and "Hollywood Squares."

She would also build a second career as a voice-over actress, giving life to Edna Krabappel, Bart Simpson's cynical fourth grade teacher on "The Simpsons." The role, a sublime parody of disaffected instruction, earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992.

Wallace's career began with a semi-regular stint on the "Merv Griffin Show," and also involved successful forays on the New York and Los Angeles state where she appeared in productions of "The Vagina Monologues," Gypsy" and "Prisoner of Second Avenue."

Wallace was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985 and became involved in charitable groups involved with treating the disease.

She is survived by a son. She is predeceased by a husband, Dennis.