Markie Post had that rare ability to feel both glamorous and approachable at the same time. As Christine Sullivan on Night Court, she blended intelligence, charm, and effortless grace—instantly winning over audiences. She wasn’t just funny; she was magnetic, the kind of actress you couldn’t help but root for.
Born Marjorie Post in 1950, she was the daughter of a nuclear physicist and a poet. Growing up in Walnut Creek, California, she earned the nickname “Markie” after her siblings struggled with “Marjorie.” Though she briefly studied physics, academics never truly called to her. Instead, she found her way into entertainment—first working behind the scenes as a researcher on game shows like Split Second and Double Dare, joking later that she learned more there than she ever did in college.
By the late 1970s, acting had become her passion. Guest spots on shows like Cheers and Hart to Hart paved the way for her breakout role as Terri Michaels on The Fall Guy. Even then, she longed for roles with more depth, characters with real heart. That opportunity came in 1985 when she stepped into Night Court full-time after an earlier guest appearance.
As Christine, the kindhearted public defender, Markie became the heart of the sitcom—appearing in 159 episodes and turning the show into a weekly comfort for fans. Though she never saw herself as a “bombshell” (“I see prettier girls than me in the grocery store every day,” she once said), her natural beauty and genuine warmth made her unforgettable. What truly captivated audiences, however, was her wit, humanity, and authenticity.
Her career spanned decades, from the offbeat comedy There’s Something About Mary to her dramatic turn as Barbara “Bunny” Fletcher on Chicago P.D., where she revealed a grittier side. She described her approach to acting as “leaping first and figuring it out later,” always diving headfirst into her roles without hesitation.
Away from the cameras, Markie built a life filled with stability and love. She married writer-producer Michael A. Ross in the early 1980s after meeting in an acting class. Together, they settled in Toluca Lake, raising two daughters, Kate and Daisy. When asked about the secret to their nearly 40-year marriage, she kept it simple: accept the tough moments, appreciate the ordinary days, and hold on tightly to the joy that makes up most of life.
In 2021, at the age of 70, Markie passed away following a four-year battle with cancer. Even during treatment—her “side job,” as she called it—she continued to work, appearing in projects like The Kids Are Alright. She never stopped bringing her trademark warmth to every role.
Her family remembered her not just as a talented actress but as a devoted mother and friend—the one who baked elaborate cakes, stitched curtains for her daughters’ first apartments, and embodied kindness in every interaction. Tributes poured in after her passing. Melissa Joan Hart, who starred alongside her in Holiday in Handcuffs, described her as “an angel here on earth,” praising her sweetness and strength. Fans echoed the sentiment, remembering her as someone who made them feel good—on screen and off.
Grace, humor, courage, and a refusal to lose her spark—that’s the legacy Markie Post leaves behind. She was more than a TV icon; she was a bright light who touched countless lives.
