Frances Heflin

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Frances Heflin (born September 20, 1920 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — died June 1, 1994, New York City, New York) was an American actress.

Heflin had varying roles on many television series in the 1950s and 1960s, including small roles on Kraft Television Theatre and The Patty Duke Show, but her most notable and enduring role was of Mona Kane Tyler, mother of Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) on the soap opera All My Children. She played the role from January 5th 1970 until her death in June of 1994.

In 1992, when Heflin was first diagnosed with lung cancer, Mona was diagnosed with cancer on the show. In August 1994, the soap aired a special episode, showcasing the best of Heflin's performances in the form of a memorial service for Mona.

She was the sister of Academy Award winning actor Van Heflin.

She was married to film composer Sol Kaplan. Their son, Jonathan Kaplan, is a film director. Their daughter, Mandy Kaplan, was an actress also who appeared on the soap operas The Edge of Night, Texas, and As the World Turns.