The untimely death of Elizabeth K. Rich on November 1st, 2021, in Santa Fe, N.M. leaves an enormous gap in the lives and hearts of her family, her friends, and the performing arts community. An ambitious actor, Elizabeth celebrated success in theatre, film and television as well as in entrepreneurial/small business endeavors and teaching. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Lisa and Gregg Kornfeld, niece Hannah and her husband Connor Lawrence, nephew Ian Kornfeld, brother and sister-in-law David and Anita Patent, nephews Andrash and Theodore Patent, uncles Paul Patent and Hardy DeYoung, and aunts Ellie and Marti DeYoung. The family recognizes Elizabeth's extensive network of friends, some lifelong, as her chosen family.

After high school, Elizabeth moved from New Jersey to New York City to follow her long held dream to be an actress. There, she attended the New Actors Workshop. Subsequently, she moved to Chicago to pursue a theater career  and then later back to New York.  Her credits include award winning performances and recognition in the industry (see below). During her tenure in Chicago, she earned a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois which she used when employed in the education sector to implement multiple drama projects for school-aged youth. Over the years, she developed her Yoga practice and was an enthusiastic Yoga teacher and her entrepreneurial interests resulted in a business serving clients in body and home (organizing & lifestyle). In 2019, she moved to Santa Fe, NM to explore dramatic endeavors. Most recently, she attended the wedding of her beloved niece, Hannah, in Brooklyn and her family is so very grateful to have shared this joyous time with her.

Elizabeth always showed up with curiosity, generosity, kindness, and with her sage and legendary entertaining humor. She loved words, writing, emotion, and possessed an understanding of the many attributes that make us human. The world is not the same without her in it. We are humbled in grief.

Career Highlights

Elizabeth's theatre awards include the Helen Hayes Nomination and the Jeff and After Dark Award for her performance as Hannah Arendt in Hannah and Martin (Timeline/Theater J) and the Talkin Broadway Citation and MITF Best Actress Nomination as Liz for Couldn't Say (The Abingdon). Her notable theatre credits include Jean in Good People (Cleveland Playhouse), Allison in RX (Primary Stages), Varya in The Cherry Orchard (Steppenwolf), Kristine Linde in A Dolls House (The Goodman), Mother in The Pillowman (Steppenwolf), Mde. DeFarge in Tale of Two Cities (Steppenwolf), Stella in The Scene (The Alley), Rosalind Franklin in Photograph 51 (Theater J), Brenda in Other Than Honorable (The Geva), and Masha in Enemies: A Love Story (The Wilma).

Elizabeth’s film credits include Wait It Out , Side Effects , Knee High , The Couch ,  Wings and Beer , and The Transfiguration of Harold Maines .

Elizabeth’s TV credits include The Good Wife , Boardwalk Empire , House of Cards , Law and Order , Deputy , When they See Us , Happy , Search Party , Bull , Rise , and Law and Order: SVU .

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