"Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" star Marcia Strassman died of breast cancer at 66 years old. She battled cancer for seven years.

''They gave her 2 ½ years to live but she lasted much longer,'' her sister Julie Strassman said. ''She was very courageous.''

Strassman died at her home in Sherman Oaks, California. Her acting career stretched 50 years.

The actress was best known for playing Rick Moranis' wife in the Disney hit movie ''Honey, I Shrunk the Kids'' and its sequel, ''Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.''

And for playing Gabe Kaplan's wife, Julie, on the 1970s sitcom ''Welcome Back, Kotter.'' The show was about a teacher returning to the tough high-school of his youth to teach a classroom full of misfits.

She was born in New York City and started her career very early. As a teenager, she replaced Liza Minnelli in the off-Broadway musical ''Best Foot Forward.'' At 18 years old, she moved to Los Angeles where her career took off.

Strassman played Nurse Margie Cutler on the first season of ''M.A.S.H."

"She was the funniest, smartest person I ever met," the actress' sister, Julie, told Deadline.com. "And talented. She knew everything. Now I won't be able to call her and ask her questions.

"She could do anything. She made clothes, made curtains, knitted sweaters for friends. She could dance."

Comic director Bob Weide tweeted, "So sad that a sweet friend, kind person and wonderful actress lost her brave battle with cancer." 

Another friend, singer and actress Cher, also tweeted: "Wanted U2 No, a Funny, Talented Friend Died. Not 4U 2feel sorry 4me, but she died alone, &Energy from U is powerful &Sends (love) '[Marcia Strassman]'"

She was a member of the Screen Actors Guild national board. Strassman was also an active fundraiser for breast cancer research and other social causes even before her battle.