Molly Glynn, a well respected Chicago theatre veteran died on Saturday after she was hit by a tree while out biking with her husband during a storm.


In an emotional post on his Facebook page Glynn’s husband, fellow actor Joe Foust simply wrote, ”I couldn't save her. I couldn't save her. She's gone.” He later told friends to “Love hard, people. Love hard.”

The 46 year old, whose television credits include ‘Chicago Fire’ and ‘Boss’, had been out riding with her husband on the Forest Preserve Trail in Erickson Woods when a tree fell and struck her on Friday afternoon, CBS Chicago reported. Her husband called 911 and medical crews responded, transporting the actress to Evanston Hospital where she later died from her injuries.

Northlight Theatre artistic director BJ Jones described Glynn in statement to the Chicago Tribune as “a beautiful woman and one would think that she would only be a leading lady, but the truth is she also had great skill and breadth and scope as an actress.” He went on to add, “In a cast she was a strong, stabilising influence.  A real pillar in the cast. And when she walked on stage, you knew you were in good hands. You knew that you were seeing the truest colours of the character and the play.”

Friends of the couple have since set up a Give Forward campaign to raise money for the family and help pay medical bills and funeral expenses, it reached its goal of $75,000 in less than a day. Donations to the family can be made here.


The tragedy is the second to hit the Chicago theatre community in the past few days. On Friday actor Bernie Yvon was killed in a car accident while on his way to a rehearsal. The 50 year old was well loved among the theatre community and had acted in countless musicals in Chicago as well as appearing on Broadway.