Darlene Cates, Mom From ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,’ Dies At 69

Darlene Cates, best known for her role as mother Bonnie Grape in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, has died at age 69.

She passed away in her sleep Sunday morning. Her sister Sheri Cates Morgan posted the sad news on Facebook: “It is with a bitter-sweet heart that we share that our precious wife, mother, and Gaga, Darlene Guthrie Cates, was called Home, somewhat unexpectedly, peacefully in her sleep Sunday morning, March 26th. We take comfort in knowing that she is no longer in pain and is in the arms of our Heavenly Father, breaking away only to dance with our Savior, Jesus. (Dancing was something she talked about loving to do ‘back in the day!’)”

- Ana Luisa Suarez,