Lynn Cartwright, 76; Character Actress in Films and Television

Lynn Cartwright, a veteran character actress best known for her portrayal of an older version of the Geena Davis character in the movie “A League of Their Own,” has died. She was 76.

Cartwright died Jan. 2 in her Los Angeles home of dementia-related illnesses following a hip fracture, said her daughter, Tara Gordon.

Cartwright’s health began to decline in December after the death of her husband of 50 years, screenwriter and western star Leo Gordon.

The tall, auburn-haired beauty from Oklahoma appeared in such popular 1950s television shows as “Highway Patrol,” “Man Called X” and “Bat Masterson,” as well as the 1958 Zsa Zsa Gabor cult film “Queen of Outer Space.” She appeared in several other films and in such local stage productions as “Four Women” and “Final Touches.”

Cartwright worked for 15 years with the Group Repertory Theater in Los Angeles. “She was very bright on the stage,” said Lonny Chapman, the theater’s artistic director. “She illuminated.”

Her biggest break in films did not come until she was 65, when director Penny Marshall selected her for the 1992 movie “A League of Their Own.” The film followed the story of two sisters involved in the nation’s first female professional baseball league. Davis starred as one of the sisters, Dottie Hinson, and Cartwright portrayed an older version of the same character. Cartwright’s daughter said the role was her mother’s favorite.

Cartwright also is survived by a sister, Wilburt Locke of Oklahoma City.

The family said memorial services would be private.