Inside the Life and Quiet Goodbye of a Beloved Television Icon

Markie Post was one of those rare performers whose presence stayed with you long after the screen went dark.

She didn’t need to be loud or flashy — her warmth, intelligence, and effortless charm made her unforgettable.

Even watching reruns as a kid, you could feel something special in the way she lit up a scene. She had that spark, the kind only a handful of actors ever truly carry.

When she left us in 2021 at the age of 70, it felt unreal. For four years, she faced an incredibly difficult health battle with quiet courage, choosing to keep working, keep smiling, and keep giving joy to others.

She never allowed illness to define her; she stayed dedicated to her craft until the very end.

For millions, Markie will always be Christine Sullivan on Night Court.

From 1985 to 1992 — across 159 hilarious episodes — she brought wit, heart, and an unmistakable brightness that helped make the show a classic.

To fans of the ’70s and ’80s, she was the full package: funny, genuine, graceful, stunning, and wonderfully talented.

Years later, she continued to impress audiences as Barbara “Bunny” Fletcher on Chicago P.D., proving that great performers don’t fade, they evolve. Whether she played a public defender, an everyday mom, or a complex recurring character, she elevated every moment she was part of.

But Markie’s story began long before the spotlight.

Born Marjorie Post in 1950 in Walnut Creek, California, she grew up in a household that blended logic and creativity — her father was a physicist, her mother a poet.

Her nickname “Markie” came from her siblings, who couldn’t pronounce “Marjorie.” She tried studying physics in college but joked later that she “did terribly,” laughing about how her father tried (and failed) to tutor her through it.

Before acting, she worked behind the camera on game shows like Split Second and Double Dare. She often said she learned more in those early TV jobs than in all four years of college.

Those roles eventually opened the door to acting — small parts at first, then bigger opportunities like The Fall Guy, where she became a fan favorite from 1982 to 1986.

Then came Night Court, the role that changed everything. After an impressive guest appearance, producers quickly decided she belonged on the show permanently.

She didn’t view herself as glamorous — she once said, “I see prettier girls than me in the grocery store every day”, but audiences felt otherwise. Her natural beauty and warm humor made her iconic.

Offscreen, Markie built a beautiful life with her husband, actor and writer Michael A. Ross. They met in an acting class, married in the early 1980s, and stayed together for 39 years. Together they raised two daughters, Kate and Daisy, creating a home full of creativity, love, and laughter.

Markie approached marriage with refreshing honesty. She believed in staying through the boring days, the hard days, and the days when life tested you.

“If it’s wonderful 80 percent of the time,” she once said, “you’re really lucky.”

Even as her health challenges grew, she continued acting — including a role on ABC’s The Kids Are Alright.

Her family later shared that although they were proud of her career, they were most proud of who she was: someone who baked beautiful cakes for friends, sewed handmade curtains for her daughters, and treated everyone around her with kindness.

Colleagues remembered that same kindness. Actress Melissa Joan Hart shared a moving tribute, talking about Markie’s warmth, generosity, and the deep friendship they formed while working together.

Many fans never knew she had been ill — and that was exactly how she wanted it. She chose to keep giving, keep showing up, and keep shining.

Losing her left a quiet space in the hearts of those who loved her, but her legacy lives on in every laugh she sparked and every smile she inspired. Her roles continue to introduce her to new generations, and her warmth is forever captured in the characters she brought to life.

Rest gently, Markie. And thank you — for the laughter, the comfort, and the decades of joy you shared with the world.