Sada Carolyn Thompson was born on September 27, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, and became one of America’s most acclaimed stage, film, and television actresses. After spending her early years in Iowa, her family moved to New Jersey, where she developed a love for acting and performed in school plays.

She went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, and began her career in regional theater with numerous productions, including classics like "The Seagull," "Pygmalion," "Our Town," and "Arms and the Man."

Her professional debut came in 1947, and she soon gained recognition for her skill and versatility on the stage.

Thompson made her Off-Broadway debut in 1955 with "Under Milk Wood" and appeared on television soon after. Her Broadway debut was in the 1959 musical "Juno," and she continued to build an impressive theater career, winning major accolades such as an Obie Award, three Drama Desk Awards, two Sarah Siddons Awards, and a Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Twigs" in 1972.

She was especially admired for her ability to play complex and maternal characters on stage, ranging from versions of mothers to neurotic and multi-dimensional women. Her work in Edward Albee’s "American Dream" and Samuel Beckett’s "Happy Days" further showcased her talent and range.

In television, she was cast as Kate Lawrence in the drama series "Family" from 1976–1980, a role that earned her the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1978 and made her a TV icon, embodying the symbol of maternal strength and integrity.

She received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her work on television, including memorable performances as Mary Todd Lincoln in "Sandburg's Lincoln," Rhea Perlman’s mother on "Cheers," and Virginia McMartin in "Indictment: The McMartin Trial."

She also appeared in several television movies and miniseries, including "Our Town," "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," and "Alex Haley's Queen." Beyond acting, she contributed her voice to documentaries and audiobooks, winning accolades for her narration as well.

Sada Thompson was married to Donald E. Stewart from 1949 until her passing, and they had a daughter, Liza Stewart, a costume designer. Thompson died on May 4, 2011, in Danbury, Connecticut, from lung disease.