Mary Mara, 'ER' and 'Dexter' actress, dies in apparent drowning aged 61

The TV star was found on Sunday in upstate New York

Actress Mary Mara has died aged 61; an investigation into her death is ongoing. WireImage

Actress Mary Mara, who appeared in TV shows including Ray Donovan, Dexter and ER in an acting career spanning more than 30 years, has died in what authorities have said appeared to be a drowning accident.

The New York State Police said a woman identified as Mara, 61, was found shortly after 8am on Sunday in the St Lawrence River near Cape Vincent, in upstate New York close to the Canadian border.

Police said an official cause of death is still pending but there were no signs of foul play and it appeared Mara drowned while swimming.

In a statement, her manager Craig Dorfman described her as “electric, funny and a true individual" who was well-loved, as well as a tremendous actress.

Her earliest acting credit goes back to the 1989 movie The Preppie Murder. The New York native worked regularly ever since, with a combination of repeat characters in some shows and appearances in others.

She acted in movies including Mr Saturday Night with Billy Crystal and Prom Night. Her last credit was in 2020, in a movie called Break Even.

In Ray Donovan, Mara starred as Mrs Sullivan in two episodes and in Dexter she portrayed Valerie Hodges, an informant of Detective Harry Morgan, protagonist Dexter Morgan’s adoptive father.

She played Loretta Sweet in nine episodes of hospital drama ER from 1995 until 1996.

— Additional reporting from Associated Press

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