'ER's' Mary Mara dead at 61, actress drowned while swimming in New York river

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Actress Mary Mara "drowned while swimming" and died on Sunday, June 26 in the St. Lawrence River in New York. She was 61.

The "Law & Order" actress' representative confirmed her death to Fox News Digital: "Mary’s body was found this morning in her beloved St Lawrence River. She drowned while swimming."

The rep added: "Mary was one of the finest actresses I ever met. She had a terrific sense of humor and a unique outlook on life. I still remember the first time that I saw her onstage in Mad Forest in 92. She was utterly captivating, well loved, and will be missed."

Actress Mary Mara died on Sunday from a drowning accident in New York. The "Law & Order" star was pictured in 2006. (Matthew Simmons)

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The New York State Police responded to 33753 Old Farm Road in Cape Vincent, Jefferson County on a report of a possible drowning on Sunday at 8:10 a.m.

"When Troopers, along with Cape Vincent Fire and Ambulance arrived on the scene, they discovered a female deceased in the St. Lawrence River," a release from the department stated. 

"The victim has been identified as 61-year-old Mary T. Mara from Cape Vincent, NY."

Preliminary investigations suggested Mara drowned while swimming and her body showed "no signs of foul play."

The "Law & Order" actress' representative confirmed her death to Fox News Digital. Mary Mara seen at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival. ( Matthew Simmons)

She was then "transported to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office pending an autopsy to determine an official cause of death," per the New York State Police release.

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A family spokesperson said Mara was staying at her sister's summer home. The property fronts the river outside the Village of Cape Vincent, in the Thousand Islands region, where the St. Lawrence separates Canada and the U.S.

The investigation into Mara's death is ongoing.

Mara, a New York native, began working in the entertainment industry in the late '80s, and had recurring roles on "Nash Bridges," "NYPD Blue," "Hope & Gloria," and "The Practice."

She worked with Sandra Bullock on "Love Potion #9," Michael J. Fox in "The Hard Way," Billy Crystal in "Mr. Saturday Night," John Travolta in "A Civil Action," and Mandy Patinkin in "Criminal Minds" and "True Colors."

She worked with Sandra Bullock on "Love Potion #9," Michael J. Fox in "The Hard Way," Billy Crystal in "Mr. Saturday Night," John Travolta in "A Civil Action," and Mandy Patinkin in "Criminal Minds" and "True Colors." Pictured in 2001 (J. Vespa)

She appeared in 1989 with Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeff Goldblum, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Gregory Hines in a New York Shakespeare Festival production of "Twelfth Night," and in 1990 co-starred with William Hurt in a Yale Repertory Theatre performance of Anton Chekhov’s "Ivanov."

Mara worked on episodes of the popular television shows "Ray Donovan," "Shameless," "Dexter" and "Lost."

Her last appearance was in the film, "Break Even," released in 2020. 

Mara is survived by her stepdaughter, Katie Mersola; sister, Martha Mara; another sister and a brother-in-law, Susan Mara and Scott Dailey; and nephew, Christopher Dailey.

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Fox News' Larry Fink contributed to this report.