Lynne Thigpen

Lynne Thigpen
Thigpen as Miss Barrett in the 1989 film Lean on Me
Born	Cherlynne Theresa Thigpen (1948-12-22)December 22, 1948 Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Died	March 12, 2003(2003-03-12) (aged 54) Marina del Rey, California, U.S.
Resting place	Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet, Illinois
Other names	Lynne Richmond
Alma mater	University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
Occupation(s)	Actress, singer
Years active	1971–2003
Television	The Chief in (Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?)
Awards	1992 Obie Award – (Boesman and Lena) 1997 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play – (An American Daughter) 1999 Obie Award – (Jar the Floor)

Cherlynne Theresa Thigpen (December 22, 1948 – March 12, 2003) was an American actress of stage and screen. She was known for her role as "The Chief" of ACME Crimenet in the game show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? and various spinoffs, and for her role as "Luna" (The Moon) in the Playhouse Disney children's series Bear in the Big Blue House. For her varied television work, Thigpen was nominated for six Daytime Emmy Awards. She won a Tony Award in 1997 for portraying Dr. Judith Kaufman in An American Daughter, and also played Ella Farmer on The District (2000–2003). Thigpen first gained attention for her role in the 1971 off-Broadway musical Godspell. Thigpen's character is named Lynne, and she sang "O Bless the Lord, My Soul" in the musical. Thigpen reprised her role as Lynne in the 1973 film adaptation, which she starred in alongside David Haskell and Victor Garber.