Cindy Morgan Death Cause And Obituary: Star of ‘Tron’ and ‘Caddyshack,’ Dies at 69
Cindy Morgan, the actress who played the iconic roles of Lora/Yori in ‘Tron’ and Lacey Underall in ‘Caddyshack,’ has passed away at the age of 69. She was found dead of natural causes at her home in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on December 30, 2023. She had last been seen alive on December 19.
Morgan was a versatile and talented performer who appeared in many films and TV shows throughout her career. She was also a radio personality, a producer, and an author. She was loved by her fans and colleagues for her beauty, charm, and humor.
Who Was Cindy Morgan?
Morgan was born as Cynthia Ann Cichorski in Chicago, Illinois, on September 29, 1954. She was of Polish and German descent. She attended 12 years of Catholic school, then studied communications at Northern Illinois University, where she was a DJ on the campus radio station.
She moved to Los Angeles in 1978, and became the Irish Spring girl in advertisements, while attending acting schools and workshops. She landed her first screen role in the 1980 comedy ‘Caddyshack,’ playing the role of sexy bombshell Lacey Underall.
‘Caddyshack’ was a huge hit that launched the careers of many comedy legends, such as Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield. Morgan held her own among the male-dominated cast, delivering memorable lines and scenes. She also had a brief romance with Chase during the filming.
In a 2012 interview, Morgan said of the role: “Caddyshack was my first film and I’ll say that the end product was so completely different, it was originally about the caddies. So at first, I had nothing to lose to audition. It was fun. All I did was focus on making the person sweat. Look ’em in the eye, do that thing many women know how to …”.
RIP, Cindy Morgan. The First Lady of "Caddyshack"(1980), Lacey Underall.
— Boston Radio Watch®️ (@bostonradio) January 7, 2024
"I'll bet you've got a lot of nice ties."
“What do you mean?
"Do you want to tie me up with some of your ties, Ty?” pic.twitter.com/9MAXZlc29L
A Pioneer in ‘Tron’
Morgan appeared in the 1982 hit ‘Tron,’ the first computer-generated film. She played two characters: Lora, a computer programmer in the “real” world, and Yori, her alter-ego in the film’s computer-generated flights of imagination.
‘Tron’ was a groundbreaking film that explored the concept of virtual reality and artificial intelligence. It was also a visual spectacle that used state-of-the-art technology at the time. Morgan was one of the few female actors in the film, and she portrayed a strong and smart character who helped the hero, played by Jeff Bridges.
Morgan said of the film: “Tron was a very different experience. It was a very technical film. We had to wear these suits that were very uncomfortable and had wires all over them. We had to act in front of a black screen, with no props or sets. We had to imagine everything. It was challenging, but also exciting.”
A Diverse Career
Morgan had multiple television and film credits, including portraying two roles on the primetime soap opera ‘Falcon Crest,’ Lori Chapman in season one and Gabrielle Short in seasons six and seven. She also played two characters, in two episodes, on the television series ‘Matlock.’
Her other credits include guest and minor appearances on ‘The Larry Sanders Show,’ ‘Amazing Stories,’ ‘CHiPs,’ and a co-starring role on ‘Bring ‘Em Back Alive.’ She was an associate producer on five films produced by Larry Estes.
Morgan did not participate in the making of ‘Tron: Legacy,’ the 2010 sequel to the 1982 film, nor does she appear in any of the retrospective materials produced in conjunction with the sequel for use in a DVD/Blu-ray reissue of the film in 2011.
According to the documentary ‘Caddyshack: The Inside Story,’ as of 2009 Morgan was a resident of Florida and working on a book about her experiences during the making of ‘Caddyshack.’
This one stings.
— Tom Tuttle Never Did No Wanderin After All (@MarkWahhhid) January 7, 2024
Cindy Morgan, RIP.
She enjoyed skinny-skiing, and going to bullfights on acid. pic.twitter.com/lrEra9hbId
A Legacy of Love
Morgan was married twice, first to actor Glen Morgan, whom she divorced in 1988, and then to businessman Michael Greenburg, whom she married in 1991 and separated from in 1996. She had no children.
Morgan was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, and many of her co-stars and friends paid tribute to her on social media. Chase wrote: “I’m heartbroken to hear of Cindy’s passing. She was a wonderful person and a great actress. We had a lot of fun together on ‘Caddyshack.’ She will be missed.”
Bridges tweeted: “Cindy Morgan was a pioneer and a partner in ‘Tron.’ She was smart, beautiful, and brave. She was a friend and a sister. I’m sad to lose her.”
Murray posted: “Cindy Morgan was a blast to work with on ‘Caddyshack.’ She was funny, sexy, and cool. She was one of a kind. Rest in peace, Lacey.”
Morgan’s fans also expressed their condolences and appreciation for her work. Many of them shared their favorite scenes and quotes from her films, and thanked her for making them laugh and smile.
Morgan’s legacy will live on through her films, which have become classics and cult favorites. She will always be remembered as a star who shone brightly on the screen and in the hearts of many.
