Andrea Fay Friedman, an actress with Down syndrome, who starred in the television series “Life Goes On” died on Dec. 3 at her home in Santa Monica, CA. She was 53.

Ms. Friedman was known for her portrayals of people with developmental disabilities. She called her Down syndrome her “up syndrome,” her father, Hal Friedman, said in a phone interview.

Her breakthrough in acting came in 1992 on the TV drama “Life Goes On” about a character with Down syndrome. Ms. Friedman played the main character’s girlfriend and later wife, for two seasons. She also appeared in other TV shows, including “Baywatch,” “ER,” and “Law and Order: SVU.”