Actress Glenne Headly joined the recent ranks of abundantly gifted artists who have passed too soon on Thursday. She was just 62, and no cause of death has been reported. The span of years is far less of a measure of life than the impact made on other lives in that duration. The response from costars and friends across decades speaks deeply of Glenne Headly’s place in hearts and memories, and her career is marked by unforgettable roles. While those nearest and most beloved to the star grieve privately, the actress who portrayed Tess Trueheart in “Dick Tracy” is receiving true expressions of loss and love from many corners of the acting world.

A source of light and love

Josh Hutcherson of “The Hunger Games” was a cast mate alongside Glenne Headly in Seth Rogen’s production of “Future Man” for Hulu. It is often unusual for younger stars to feel the presence and wisdom of their elders in the business, but Hutcherson obviously felt all that Glenne Headly brought to her craft. In an Instagram post, 24-year-old Josh shared a sky from his Kentucky home, expressing his love for his own family and friends, and adding that “with lead hearts, we celebrate the irreplaceable Glenne Headly.”

Josh Hutcherson noted that Headly had a gift for making him “feel like her son” not just in their scenes together, and long after “they called action and cut.” Steve Martin noted on Twitter that the Steppenwolf alum was a “beloved friend, actress, and comic genius.” “Stand and Deliver” star, Edward James Olmos, expressed that he was “torn apart” at the loss of Glenne Headly, and closed with “Rest in peace, my dearest.

#Sosayweall.” Tom Hanks simply wrote “terribly sad” with his characters. Susan Sarandon called Headly “a kind and funny original.” No actress can ask more than that.

Rich roles

Although Headly may have gained broad attention for her parts in 1988’s “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and later as the music teacher’s wife in “Mr. Holland's Opus” and a memorable mark in Woody Allen's “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” her television roles are indelible, and thanks to syndication and video streaming, will remain enduring.

The Connecticut native captured the essence of the American West as Elmira in “Lonesome Dove.” Her role as the wife and mother who could never quench her passion for the wrong man earned her an Emmy nomination, and in 1996, Headly echoed pure southern vice and virtue as Aunt Ruth in “Bastard out of Carolina.” Glenne Headly was also awarded the Drama Desk Award in 1985 as part of Outstanding Ensemble Cast in “Arms and the Man.”

Glenne Headly was married to her Steppenwolf company castmate, John Malkovich, from 1981-1988, she married Byron McCulloch while filming “Ordinary Magic,” and the two married in 1993. She also leaves behind her mother and son, Stirling.

More luminous than any headlining roles, the light of the heart cannot be extinguished.