Actress Stephanie Niznik, best remembered for her role as Nina Feeney on the WB drama Everwood, passed away suddenly on June 23, 2019. She was 52 years old. 

Stephanie Lynne Niznik was born on May 20, 1967, in Bangor, Maine. Initially, Niznik intended to become a geneticist, but later pursued a career in acting. She graduated from Duke University with majors in theater and Russian before working toward a masters at Cal Arts. Around this time she landed small roles in such series as Vanishing Son, Murder She Wrote, Nash Bridges and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Niznik soon snagged a recurring role on Diagnosis Murder in 1998-2000. Soon after, Niznik gained newfound popularity for her role as Treat Williams’ next door neighbor on the medical series Everwood. She portrayed Nina Feeney on the Greg Berlanti drama Everwood for four seasons between 2003-2006. 

Niznik also starred as Trill Starfleet Ensign Kell Perim in the feature Star Trek: Insurrection. She followed this with a turn as the Wraith in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode, “Rogue Planet.” Additional small screen roles for Niznik included Life is Wild, Lost, NCIS and CSI: Miami. 

Following Niznik’s passing, Berlanti and fellow Everwood writer Rina Mimoun released a joint statement saying: 

“Everwood was more than a television show. It was a family. We recently lost the mother of our tribe, Stephanie Niznik. Stephanie played Nina, the next door neighbor to Andy Brown, and the woman who helped raise his children as he struggled with being a single father. She continued that role offscreen by being an incredible friend, a nurturing mother figure to our younger cast members and an artist who brought warmth, compassion and humor to every episode and our set. Everyone who was lucky enough to know and work with her will miss her dearly.”  

Niznik is survived by her mother and stepfather; brother and sister-in-law; her niece and nephews and aunt and uncle.