Conchata Ferrell
Ferrell in 2016
Born
Conchata Galen Ferrell

(1943-03-28)March 28, 1943
Loudendale, West Virginia, U.S.
DiedOctober 12, 2020(2020-10-12) (aged 77)
Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.
Burial placeForest Cemetery, Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio, U.S.
EducationMarshall University (BA)
OccupationActress
Years active1964–2020
Spouse
Arnie Anderson
​
(m. 1986)​
Children1

Conchata Galen Ferrell (March 28, 1943 – October 12, 2020) was an American actress. She played Berta the housekeeper on the sitcom Two and a Half Men from 2003 to 2015, and received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the role (in 2005 and 2007). Ferrell had previously been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in L.A. Law (in 1992).

Early life

Conchata Galen Ferrell was born March 28, 1943, in Loudendale, West Virginia, to Mescal Loraine (née George) and Luther Martin Ferrell.[1][2][3] She was raised in Charleston, West Virginia. Her family later moved to Circleville, Ohio.[4][5]

She attended West Virginia University for two years, dropped out, and after working several jobs, enrolled and graduated from Marshall University with a degree in history education. She made her first onstage performance at Marshall in 1969, in the second Barfenon Review, a skit comedy and musical production.[1]

Career

Ferrell began her career on the stage as a member of the Circle Repertory Company. She appeared in the original off-Broadway cast of Lanford Wilson's The Hot l Baltimore[6] and won the Drama Desk, Obie and Theatre World Best Actress Awards for her performance in the off-Broadway play The Sea Horse.[1][7][8][9][10]

Acting on stage, television, and film for decades, she starred as the frontier wife in the 1979 feature film Heartland directed by Richard Pearce, and as the tough-talking owner of Mystic Pizza, co-starring alongside Lili Taylor, Annabeth Gish, and Julia Roberts, who portrayed pizza waitresses. She also played a tough, comical nurse on the short-lived 1980s TV sitcom E/R.[11]

In 1992, she received her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her recurring role as Attorney Susan Bloom on the sixth season of L.A. Law, but lost to Valerie Mahaffey for Northern Exposure. She had previously appeared in an episode of the show in 1988 as Lorna Landsberg, an entirely different character.[12][13]

Ferrell's supporting roles in films include performances in Deadly Hero, Network, Edward Scissorhands, Erin Brockovich, Crime and Punishment in Suburbia, Mr. Deeds and K-PAX as well as a small part in True Romance. Her other television credits include Maude, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hot l Baltimore, Teen Angel, Matlock, B. J. and the Bear, Good Times, Hearts Afire, Townies, Night Court, The Love Boat and Push, Nevada.[11] She played Mrs. Werner in the episode of Quincy, M.E. titled "Into the Murdering Mind" (1982). She also made memorable appearances portraying blunt, authoritative judges (the "Jagged Sledge" episode of Sledge Hammer! in 1987, and on "The One with Joey's Porsche" episode of Friends in 1999).[11]

She accepted a role in the off-Broadway play Love, Loss, and What I Wore for an April 27 through May 29, 2011, run with Minka Kelly, AnnaLynne McCord, Anne Meara, and B. Smith.[14]

Ferrell portrayed Berta the housekeeper in the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men, appearing in a total of 212 episodes from 2003 to 2015.[11] She had received two nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2005 and 2007, but lost to Doris Roberts for Everybody Loves Raymond and Jaime Pressly for My Name Is Earl.[15][16]

In 2012, she voiced the role of Bob's Mom in Frankenweenie, which was directed by Tim Burton.[17] She was slated to appear in the upcoming feature film Deported (2020), and had earlier acted in A Very Nutty Christmas (2018), a holiday-themed television film.[5][18]

Personal life

Ferrell married Arnie Anderson in about 1986.[19] She had a daughter, Samantha (born in 1982), and two stepdaughters (born in 1976 and 1979).[1][19][20]

Death

Ferrell died on October 12, 2020, from complications following cardiac arrest at the Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, California.[18] She was 77 years old.[21]

Filmography

Source(s)[11][22]

Year Title Role Director Notes Source
1974 Maude Rita Valdez Hal Cooper Episode: "Florida's Goodbye" [11]
1975 Hot L Baltimore April Green Bob LaHendro
Burt Brinckerhoff 		13 episodes [11]
1976 Deadly Hero Slugger Ann Ivan Nagy [23]
Network Barbara Schlesinger Sidney Lumet [11]
1977 The Rockford Files Ella Mae White Reza Badiyi Episode: "Crack Back" [13]
Mixed Nuts Nurse Cassidy Jerry Belson
Peter H. Hunt 		TV short [24]
Blansky's Beauties Nurse Gibbons Alan Rafkin Episode: "Nancy Breaks a Leg" [11]
The Girl Called Hatter Fox Nurse Rinehart George Schaefer Television film [11]
Good Times Miss Johnson Gerren Keith Episode: "Willona, the Fuzz" [11]
One Day at a Time Phyllis McDermott Herbert Kenwith Episode: "The Singles Bar" [11]
1978 A Death in Canaan Rita Parsons Tony Richardson Television film [25]
Who'll Save Our Children? Dodie Hart George Schaefer (2) Television film [11]
1979 The Love Boat Bitsy Sheldon Roger Duchowny 2 episodes [11]
Heartland Elinore Randall Stewart Richard Pearce [11]
Before and After Marge Kim Friedman Television film [13]
The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo The Fox Bruce Bilson 2 episodes [26]
1979–1980 B. J. and the Bear Wilhemina 'The Fox' Johnson Several directors 5 episodes
1980 The Seduction of Miss Leona Hazel Dawson Joseph Hardy Television film [13]
Reunion Toni Owens Russ Mayberry Television film [13]
Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case Helen Peter Levin Television film [27]
Knots Landing Mrs. Messinger Edward Parone 2 episodes [28]
1981 CBS Afternoon Playhouse Mamie Trotter Jeffrey Hayden Episode: "The Great Gilly Hopkins" [13]
McClain's Law Vangie Cruise Vincent McEveety Television film (pilot for TV series McClain's Law) [13]
Lou Grant Myra Wexler Peter Levin (2) Episode: "Drifters" [13]
1982 Quincy, M.E. Mrs. Werner Georg Fenady Episode: "Into the Murdering Mind" [13]
Life of the Party: The Story of Beatrice Captain Burnsite Lamont Johnson Television film [22]
Cagney & Lacey Charlene Reza Badiyi (2) Episode: "High Steel" [13]
1983 St. Elsewhere Gina Barnett Mark Tinker Episode: "Hearts" [11]
American Playhouse Faye Doyle Michael Dinner Episode: "Miss Lonelyhearts" [11]
Emergency Room Nurse Sylvia Kaye Lee H. Katzin Television film [13]
1984 Nadia Mili Simonescu Alan Cooke Television film [11]
Faerie Tale Theatre Thumbelina's Mother Michael Lindsay-Hogg Episode: "Thumbelina" [11]
The Three Wishes of Billy Grier Dr. Gardner Corey Blechman Television film [13]
1984–1985 E/R Nurse Joan Thor Peter Bonerz 22 episodes [11]
1985 This Is the Life Sharron Miller Episode: "The Stranger"
North Beach and Rawhide Doc Norman Harry Falk Television film [13]
1986 Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story Ida Sinclair Richard T. Heffron Television film [22]
Where the River Runs Black Mother Marta Christopher Cain [13]
Picnic Helen Potts Marshall W. Mason Television film [13]
Matlock Mrs. Reese Alan Cooke (2) Episode: "The Sisters" [13]
1987 Night Court Nurse Jim Drake Episode: "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" [13]
Sledge Hammer! Judge Ida Gruff Reza Badiyi (3) Episode: "Jagged Sledge" [13]
Frank's Place Jan Rudy Hugh Wilson Episode: "The Bridge" [13]
Eye on the Sparrow Mary John Korty Television film [13]
1988 Hooperman Eva Parker Rick Wallace Episode: "The Snitch" [13]
For Keeps Mrs. Bobrucz John G. Avildsen [11]
Who's the Boss? Frances James Eric Hornbeck Episode: "Housekeepers Unite" [11]
Sonny Spoon Tough Habit Dick Miller Episode: "Tough Habit" [29]
CBS Summer Playhouse Kate David Trainer Episode: "Old Money" [13]
Mystic Pizza Leona Donald Petrie [11]
ABC Weekend Special Aunt Jill Ron Underwood Episode: "Runaway Ralph" [13]
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July Minnie Bixby George Miller Television film [13]
Portrait of a White Marriage Mrs. Sturgeon Harry Shearer [13]
1988;
1991–1992 		L.A. Law Susan Bloom / Lorna Landsberg Several directors 20 episodes
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1992) 		[13]
1989 A Peaceable Kingdom Kate Galindo Mark Waxman 10 episodes [11]
Murder, She Wrote Harriet Lundgren John Llewellyn Moxey Episode: "Something Borrowed, Someone Blue" [13]
Your Mother Wears Combat Boots Specialist Mononaghee Anson Williams Television film [13]
Hard Time on Planet Earth Annie James A. Contner Episode: "The Hot Dog Man" [13]
1990 Hollywood Dog William Dear Television film [13]
Opposites Attract Flo Noel Nosseck Television film [13]
Edward Scissorhands Helen Tim Burton [11]
1991 Deadly Intentions... Again? Joan James Steven Sadwith Television film [11]
Chains of Gold Martha Burke Rod Holcomb Television film [13]
Backfield in Motion Ann Bedowski Richard Michaels Television film [22]
1992–1995 Hearts Afire Dr. Madeline Stoessinger / Dr. Ruth Colquist Several directors 33 episodes [13]
1993 The Legend of Prince Valiant Girl Voice, episode: "The Sage" [30]
Dinosaurs Shelly Bruce Bilson (2) Voice, episode: "Dirty Dancin'" [13]
Family Prayers Mrs. Romeyo Scott M. Rosenfelt [11]
Sirens Mrs. Chattle TBA Episode: "Keeping the Peace" [11]
True Romance Mary Louise Ravencroft Tony Scott [11]
Cobra Bobby Gutner Jorge Montesi Episode: "Honeymoon Hideaway" [11]
Heaven & Earth Bernice Oliver Stone [11]
1994 Samurai Cowboy Bobbi Bob Pickette Michael Keusch [11]
A Worn Path Nurse Bruce Schwartz [13]
Duckman Roxanne Jeff McGrath
John Eng 		Voice, 2 episodes [13]
1995 The Buccaneers Mrs. Elmsworth Philip Saville Miniseries; episode: "Invasion" [11]
The Mask: Animated Series Willamina Bubask Voice, episode: "How Much Is That Dog in the Tin Can?" [13]
The Client Rue James Quinn Episode: "The Way Things Never Were" [13]
1996 Freeway Mrs. Sheets Matthew Bright [11]
Minor Adjustments Mrs. Daisy Gotschel Episode: "The Ungrateful Dead" [13]
Walker, Texas Ranger Lureen Smith Michael Preece Episode: "Miracle at Middle Creek" [13]
Sweet Dreams Dr. Kate Lowe Jack Bender Television film [13]
Townies Marge Pamela Fryman 2 episodes [13]
My Fellow Americans Woman Truck Driver Peter Segal [11]
1997 Touch Virginia Worrel Paul Schrader [13]
ABC TGIF Pam Episode: "Frightful Halloween Bash" [31]
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Simpah Denise Downer Voice, episode: "Clockwise/Gromble Soup" [13]
1997–1998 Teen Angel Pam Several directors 17 episodes [13]
1998 Modern Vampires Wanda Richard Elfman Television film [13]
The Naked Truth Maxine Mansfield Robby Benson Episode: "Muddy for Nothing" [13]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Nurse Greenliegh David Semel Episode: "Go Fish" [13]
1999 Touched by an Angel Irene Noel Nosseck Episode: "The Medium and the Message" [13]
Two Guys and a Girl Shawn's Mother Gil Junger Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl and Valentine's Day" [13]
JAG Deanne Terrence O'Hara Episode: "Second Sight" [13]
Friends The Judge Gary Halvorson Episode: "The One with Joey's Porsche" [11]
Chicken Soup for the Soul Mrs. Patterson Episode: "Crying's Okay" [13]
2000 Crime and Punishment in Suburbia Bella Rob Schmidt [13]
Erin Brockovich Brenda Steven Soderbergh [11]
Get Real Rosa Hernandez Richard Compton Episode: "Support" [13]
Pensacola Helen Wilson Sidney J. Furie Episode: "Answered Prayers" [13]
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Ma Munchapper Steve Loter Voice, 3 episodes [13]
2000, 2003 The Wild Thornberrys Harriet, Grizzly Bear Carol Millican, Dean Crisswell Voice, 2 episodes
2001 Stranger Inside Mama Cass Cheryl Dunye Television film [13]
Popular Calamity Jones Ryan Murphy Episode: "The News of My Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated" [13]
The Zeta Project Dr. Greer Rob Davies Voice, episode: "The Next Gen" [13]
Amy & Isabelle Bev Lloyd Kramer Television film [13]
Going to California Nurse Lucy TBA Episode: "I Know Why the Caged Rhino Sings" [13]
ER Mrs. Jenkins Christopher Misiano Episode: "Four Corners" [11]
K-PAX Betty McAllister Iain Softley [13]
2002 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Bus Driver Beth Broderick Episode: "Guilty!" [13]
Mr. Deeds Jan Steven Brill [11]
Lloyd in Space Miss Effluvium Howy Parkins Voice, episode: "Incident at Luna Vista" [13]
Push, Nevada Martha Lisa Cholodenko Episode: "The Letter of the Law" [11]
2003 Becker Zora Chris Brougham Episode: "Ms. Fortune" [11]
Judging Amy Maxine's Co-Worker Alan Myerson Episode: "Kilt Trip" [11]
2003–2015 Two and a Half Men Berta Several directors Recurring role (season 1)
Main role (season 2–12) (211 episodes)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2005, 2007) 		[11]
2004 Surviving Eden Rosemary Flotchky Greg Pritikin [11]
2007 Kabluey Kathleen Scott Prendergast [11]
2012 Frankenweenie Bob's Mom Tim Burton Voice [17]
2013 Not That, But Something Like That Benjamin Hasko Short [citation needed]
2014 Postal Jerks Carmelita James Skinner Television film [32]
The Axe Murders of Villisca Mrs. Flanks Tony E. Valenzuela [33]
Wishin' and Hopin' Sister Agrippina Colin Theys Television film [34]
2015 Krampus Aunt Dorothy Michael Dougherty [21]
2016 Grace and Frankie Grandma Jean Trent O'Donnell Episode: "The Negotiation" [35]
2016 The Axe Murders of Villisca Mrs. Flanks Tony E. Valenzuela [36]
2017 The Ranch Shirley Don Reo
Jim Patterson 		5 episodes [37]
2018 A Very Nutty Christmas Clara Colin Theys Television film [5]
2021 Deported Betsy Tyler Spindel Posthumous release, final film role [38]

Awards and nominations

List of awards and award nominations
Year Award Category Title of work Result Source
1974 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Performance The Sea Horse Won [21]
1974 Theatre World Award The Sea Horse Won [21]
1974 Obie Award Best Actress The Sea Horse Won [21]
1981 Western Heritage Awards Bronze Wrangler Heartland (shared with cast) Won [39]
1992 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series L.A. Law Nominated [12]
2005 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Two and a Half Men Nominated [15]
2007 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Two and a Half Men Nominated [16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Seaton, Carter (Summer 2010). "Conchata Ferrell". Huntington Quarterly. No. 70. Huntington, West Virginia: HQ Publishing Co. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  2. ^ "Conchata Ferrell Biography (1943-)". FilmReference.com. March 28, 1943. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  3. ^ "Conchata Ferrell Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  4. ^ "Conchata Ferrell". Huntington Quarterly. September 26, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Gates, Anita (October 13, 2020). "Conchata Ferrell, Memorable Maid on 'Two and a Half Men,' Dies at 77". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  6. ^ Kerr, Walter (March 4, 1973). "Kerr on 'The Hot L Baltimore' / The Crazies Are Good to Listen to". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  7. ^ Gussow, Mel (March 5, 1974). "Stage: 2 Poignant Characters in Irwin's 'Sea Horse' / Fine Acting by Moore and Miss Ferrell". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  8. ^ Gussow, Mel (April 16, 1974). "Stage: 'The Sea Horse' / Circle Repertory Gives Tender, Wistful Play". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  9. ^ Kerr, Walter (April 21, 1974). "Kerr on 'The Sea Horse' / The Human Heart, Imprisoned". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  10. ^ Gussow, Mel (April 22, 1974). "'The Sea Horse' Star (and Its Author) Sheds Alias". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as "Conchata Ferrell". TV Guide. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Nominees / Winners 1992". Television Academy. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl "Conchata Ferrell Biography (1943-)". www.filmreference.com. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  14. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 14, 2011). "Minka Kelly, Susan Sullivan Set for Love, Loss... Off-Broadway". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 20, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Nominees / Winners 2005". Television Academy. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Nominees / Winners 2007". Television Academy. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Bob's Mother". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  18. ^ a b DeNinno, Nadine (October 13, 2020). "Conchata Ferrell, 'Two and a Half Men' and 'Mystic Pizza' star, dead at 77". New York Post. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Stewart, Susan (November 7, 1991). "Heavyweight Attorney: For Conchata Ferrell Of 'L.A. Law', Fat Works Fine". Chicago Tribune. Knight-Ridder Tribune News. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  20. ^ "Conchata Ferrell". NNDB.com. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  21. ^ a b c d e Andreeva, Nellie (October 13, 2020). "Conchata Ferrell Dies: Former 'Two and a Half Men' Co-Star Was 77". Deadline. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  22. ^ a b c d "Conchata Ferrell Filmography and Movies". Fandango. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  23. ^ "DEADLY HERO (1975) -- SCREEN ARCHIVES ENTERTAINMENT". www1.screenarchives.com. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  24. ^ "Conchata Ferrell, 'Two and a Half Men' star, dies at 77". NBC News. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  25. ^ "A Death in Canaan". Fandango. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  26. ^ The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (TV Series) (1979), retrieved October 14, 2020
  27. ^ "Rape and Marriage:The Rideout Case". www.tcm.com. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  28. ^ "Relive TV's soapy glory days at the 'Knots Landing' virtual reunion". Los Angeles Times. October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  29. ^ "Sonny Spoon". TV Guide. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  30. ^ "Conchata Ferrell". Cinema Clock. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  31. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (July 27, 2017). "Hulu Recreates ABC's 'TGIF' Comedy Lineup With 'Full House,' 'Family Matters' and More". Variety. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  32. ^ Teti, Julia (October 13, 2020). "Conchata Ferrell: 5 Things To Know About 'Two & a Half Men' Co-Star, 77, Dead After Heart Attack". Hollywood Life. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  33. ^ "Film Mode". www.filmmodeentertainment.com. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  34. ^ "Wishin' and Hopin' – Stargazer Films". stargazerfilmsusa.com. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  35. ^ "Appreciation: Conchata Ferrell was the kind of actor you wanted to see in everything". Los Angeles Times. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  36. ^ "The Axe Murders of Villisca (2017) Review". That Moment In. June 10, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  37. ^ "The Ranch to End With Season 4". www.yahoo.com. June 4, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  38. ^ "Conchata Ferrell, Co-star of Two and a Half Men, Has Died Aged 77". www.soaphub.com. October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  39. ^ Wayne, John; National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum; National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center (1981), Western Heritage Awards: Film clips, Oklahoma City, OK: KOCO-TV, OCLC 58837751, retrieved October 14, 2020

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