Carlin Elizabeth Glynn was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Mirabeau B. Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. A life member of The Actors Studio, she debuted with amazing success as the Texas madam Mona Stangley in the original production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, for which she won the 1979 Tony Award as Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. It had originally opened in New York Off-Broadway.

Glynn died on Thursday, July 13, 2023, aged 83. Her daughter, Mary Stuart Masterson posted the only notice of Glynn's passing:

"... my mother, Carlin Glynn Masterson, passed away. I was with her. I will always be grateful for those last moments, no matter how hard. Death is like birth in the oddest way. From my first breath to her last. This thread is as fragile as it is strong. She was the most graceful clumsy person you would ever meet. Strong, smart, silly, intuitive, kind, generous, passionate and a deep listener. She was devoted to my father and to the enormous circle of students and collaborators who were considered her chosen family. The stanza is from Seamus Heaney's poem, Clearances. The last photo is from her 80th birthday party, before the worst of dementia and cancer took their toll. She never lost her sense of joy or wonder. The last photo is from her 80th birthday party, before the worst of dementia and cancer took their toll. She never lost her sense of joy or wonder. The silly guy pictured with her is my dear brother @seppisigh. Rest in peace, mommy."