Karen Forsberg (1961-2025)
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Co-founder of Chicago’s Prop Theatre, playwright, trailblazing chef and fabulous redhead Karen Forsberg (nee Goodman) passed away suddenly at the age of 63.
Karen was born in Los Angeles, Karen attended Taft High School in Woodland Hills and graduated from Mission Bay High School in San Diego. Karen learned to cook at a young age, assisting in the family catering company. She took classes at Santa Monica College and traveled Europe for two years before attending culinary school. In 1983, she moved to Chicago and worked at Ed Debevic's as "Pearl". By day she waitressed and by night pursued her passion for theater, working at the Goodman, Steppenwolf, and went on to co-found the Prop Theatre. Karen wrote and directed many successful productions such as EROTICA, and LITTLE BIRDS, based on the writings of Anaïs Nin, and MASS MURDER - a series of serial killer monologues, which she eventually brought to LA, casting her father and sister as John Wayne Gacy and Genene Jones. Karen became the only female chef in Tuscany, where she met an artist named Enzo, locking eyes across a crowded piazza. They fell in love, returned to LA in 1995. They eloped to Las Vegas, living happily until Enzo's untimely death. Returning to LA she worked at Il Fornaio in Beverly Hills, once again taking her place as the first and only female chef at the time. In 1998, Karen connected with her second husband, Eric Forsberg. After marrying, the couple welcomed their daughter, Lola Forsberg in 1999. She took a break from the kitchen, transitioning to real estate as she couldn't taste the food during her pregnancy. Karen embarked on a career as a realtor in Hollywood, flipping houses until 2008. She also made campy horror films with her then-husband, Eric. Her return to cooking was sparked by a high-profile private chef gig that led her back into the kitchen. As a private chef to the stars, she cooked for a Russian billionaire, a famous rapper, and many high-profile clients. She was a repeat contestant on the Food Network’s Guy's Grocery Games. While in LA she served as menu designer and head chef at Little Toni's in North Hollywood, and as private chef to the Tapatio Hot Sauce family, among many other food achievements. Karen and her daughter returned to Chicago in 2019 with the plan to produce another theater piece, KAREN’S FOOD PORN - a semi-autobiographical erotic play alongside a five-course meal – which was sadly never staged due to the coronavirus pandemic. She later became Head Chef at the Hilton Garden Inn in Evanston and pursuing an interest in pickle making creating “Pearl’s Pickles”. Karen loved creating meaningful experiences for others. She was a thoughtful, giving, and witty friend and mother. She was an honorary chosen mom to many of her daughter's friends. Politically progressive, Karen was pleased to volunteer as a driver during the 2024 Democratic National Convention and to spend her last Mother’s Day as an Adopt-a-mom for local queer and trans youth. Most recently, she had the unique and meaningful experience of working with her daughter at Bucktown's Gallery Cabaret, a local bar and performance space. Karen was the faithful companion of Taffy Apple Udon, her cat, and is survived by her daughter and good friend Lola; her siblings Keith (Patti O'Farrell), Kenneth and Kelly; her nieces and nephews Joseph, Jared, Justin (Chelsea), Chloe Goodman and Eir Kirk; dear friends Ginger, Gayle, Patsy, and countless others; and former spouse of Eric Forsberg. She was preceded in death by parents Burton Leon Goodman and Sonja Eva Goodman (nee Lazar), and spouse Enzo. |