‘Sharon, Lois & Bram’ co-star Lois Lilienstein dies at 78

Story highlights

Beloved children's performer Lois Lilienstein has died

She was a member of CBC and Nickelodeon TV stars Sharon, Lois and Bram

CNN independently confirmed with Sharon and Bram's manager that Lilienstein passed away at 78 of a a rare cancer

CNN  — 

Lois Lilienstein, co-star of “Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show” — the Canadian preschool show that ran on Nickelodeon during the early 1990s — has died, aged 78.

Her son, David Lilienstein, told CBC News that his mother died in Toronto on Wednesday night from a rare form of cancer first diagnosed last October. “She knew it was happening, she was at peace with it, and she died very peacefully and not in pain,” he told the Canadian broadcaster.

Liz Smith at 92

Lilienstein was born in Chicago in 1936 and moved to Toronto in 1996 with her son and her husband, Ernest. She joined Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison to launch their singing trio in 1978. The TV show “Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show” ran on CBC in Canada from 1984 to 1989, before continuing in reruns on Nickelodeon stateside until 1995.

The 30 most popular film producers in Hollywood

Sharon Hampson; Lois Lilienstein and Bram Morrison in the heyday of "The Elephant Show."

Sally Catto, general manager, programming at CBC Television, paid tribute to Lilienstein for her contribution to Canadian kids TV. “Sharon, Lois and Bram got their start at CBC back in the ’80s with the Elephant Show, and they went on to become icons to children all across North America through various programs and specials. Lois will be fondly remembered by her many friends at CBC,” Catto told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘Ghostbusters’ budget cut

The Canadian variety show was best known for songs like “Skinnamarink” and “Peanut Butter.” Lilienstein left the Sharon, Lois & Bram performance trio in 2000.