The Heartbreaking Death Of Two And A Half Men Star Conchata Ferrell
Actress Conchata Ferrell tragically passed away on October 12 after complications following a cardiac arrest (via Deadline). The Two and a Half Men star was 77. Ferrell might have been best known as Berta, the no-nonsense housekeeper for the Harpers, but Ferrell had a long career as an accomplished star of stage and screen. Alongside her two Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy nominations for playing Berta, Ferrell was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Susan Bloom on L.A. Law. Ferrell also appeared in Edward Scissorhands, Mystic Pizza, and the Oscar-winning film Erin Brockovich, as well as having guest roles on dozens of shows including The Ranch, Grace and Frankie, Judging Amy, and Touched by an Angel (via IMDb).
As a young actress, Ferrell cut her teeth as an original member of the Off-Broadway Circle Repertory Theatre. The theater's founding artistic director, Marshall W. Mason, remembers her early star talent, saying, "Conchata Ferrell was exactly the kind of artist for whom we created our theater – a deeply honest performer who would inspire our playwrights to create roles for her. She was our first home-grown star." She got a slew of award recognition for her role as Gertrude Blum in Edward J. Moore's The Sea Horse, including a Drama Desk Award, a Theatre World Award and an Obie Award for Best Actress in 1974.
Friends and fans have shared emotional posts about Conchata Ferrell
Ferrell's friends and co-stars have shared emotional posts honoring the beloved actress. Jon Cryer tweeted, "She was a beautiful human. Berta's gruff exterior was an invention of the writers. Chatty's warmth and vulnerability were her real strengths. I'm crying for the woman I'll miss, and the joy she brought so many." He remembered Ferrell's first day on set, when she wouldn't believe him as he gushed over what a big fan he was of hers. "She could have two lines in a scene and walk away with it. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I was lucky every day," Cryer added. Cryer posted a link to a YouTube video compiling Berta's best moments so fans could remember Ferrell's immense talent.
Actress Melanie Lynskey, who played Rose on Two and a Half Men, tweeted, "Lovely, brilliant Chatti. I'm weeping. She was the warmest, most gracious lady. Her husband Arnie came to every single taping of Two And A Half Men and sat in the audience, beaming with pride. Her sweet daughter Samantha was often there too. Oh, she was loved. She will be missed."
Fans have also chimed in remembering Ferrell. One tweeted, "Noooo!!! The amounts of laugh I've had growing up and watching her on Two and a Half Men. 2020 needs to stop..." Another wrote, "Crushed to hear about the loss of Conchata Ferrell, an incomparable character actress." We'll all be thankful for the many laughs Ferrell has given us throughout the years.
Conchata Ferrell is survived by a loving family
Two and a Half Men star Charlie Sheen also took to Twitter to share his condolences, writing, "An absolute sweetheart, a consummate pro, a genuine friend. Berta, your housekeeping was a tad suspect, your 'people' keeping was perfect."
Of course, it's not just celebrities grieving the comedy icon. Conchata Ferrell is survived by her husband, Arnie Anderson, and daughter Samantha (via Sun). Anderson also worked in Hollywood, though behind the scenes as a sound mixer. He was also a professor who taught sound-mixing at Los Angeles City College. Anderson and Ferrell were married for decades, though they became a family well before they exchanged vows. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 1991, Ferrell revealed that she and Anderson didn't tie the knot until seven years after they started dating, when their daughter Samantha asked them to. According to People, Ferrell was surrounded by her family in her final days.
Ferrell was inspired to go into acting by her father, Luther Ferrell (via New York Times). He was a West Virginia factory worker, and though he felt lucky that he didn't have to work in the coal mines, he advised his daughter to choose a job that she loved. While Ferrell got her college degree in education, after appearing in a comedy revue, she was inspired to move to New York City and pursue a career on the stage. Her prodigious talent led her to success onstage and eventually on screen. As she told The A.V. Club in 2014, "I mean, I fulfilled my dad's desire for me. I love what I do."