Marcia Wallace, born Marcia Karen Wallace on November 1, 1942, in Creston, Iowa, was an American actress and comedian best known for her roles on sitcoms. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Carol Kester, the chatty receptionist on "The Bob Newhart Show" from 1972 to 1979. Her career spanned five decades, during which she appeared in numerous TV shows, films, and stage productions.

Her early life was marked by challenges, including a troubled childhood with alcoholism and physical abuse. Despite these difficulties, she discovered her passion for acting in high school and went on to study English and Theater at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa.

After graduating, she moved to New York City, where she worked as a substitute English teacher and performed in summer stock theater.

In addition to "The Bob Newhart Show," she was known for her roles as Mrs. Carruthers on "Full House" and as the voice of Edna Krabappel on "The Simpsons," for which she won an Emmy Award in 1992.

She also appeared in TV movies such as "The Castaways on Gilligan's Island" and "Teen Witch," and had recurring roles on game shows like "The Match Game" and "Hollywood Squares."

Marcia Wallace was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985, and she became a cancer activist, using her platform to raise awareness and support for cancer research. She was married to Dennis Hawley from 1986 until his death in 1992.

Marcia Wallace passed away on October 25, 2013, from pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to the entertainment industry.