Days of our Lives alum Linda Carlson dead at 76

Linda Carlson, who played the role of Days of our Lives' Dr. Elaine Schaefer in the late 80s and also appeared on Passions, has passed away. She was 76.

The television world is mourning the passing of Linda Carlson (ex-Dr. Elaine Schaefer, Days of our Lives), who died on October 26 after a battle with ALS.

Born on May 12th, 1945, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Carlson spent several decades working in theater, TV, and movies. She amassed many credits, some of which made her a household staple, such as playing the no-nonsense Vermont TV station manager Bev Dutton on Newhart and a judge on Steven Bochcho's Murder One.

Daytime fans might recognize the actress from her 1989 role as Days of our Lives' Dr. Elaine Schaefer or her 2002 appearances as a jewelry store clerk on NBC's Passions.

Some of Carlson's other credits include the films Honey, I Blew Up the Kid and The Beverly Hillbillies, as well as the TV series Clueless, NYPD Blue, and The Pretender.

In addition to acting, Carlson funded scholarships at the Village for Children and Families in Hartford and at the Virginia Avenue Project in Los Angeles, where she also served as a board member and president. Recognizing social and economic disparity, her goal was to help children -- especially young women -- reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.

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Carlson is survived by her husband, James A. V. Hart; her sister, Janet Calson Ouren; her brother, James Hale Carlson; and four nieces and nephews.

Would you like to leave your condolences for Carlson's family? Do you remember her role as DAYS' Dr. Elaine Schaefer? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.

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