Conchata Ferrell, a three-time Emmy nominee who featured in more than 200 episodes of Two and a Half Men and was frequent on L.A. Law’s sixth season, passed on Monday of complications after a heart attack at Sherman Oaks Hospital. She was 77. She passed away gently, surrounded by her loved ones.
Conchata Ferrell from Two and a Half Men
Conchata Ferrell is most known for portraying as Berta, the tough housekeeper on CBS‘s successful sitcom Two and a Half Men. In 2005 and 2007, she was nominated for Emmys for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the part.
Jon Cryer of Two and a Half Men commented, “She was a beautiful human, I’m crying for the woman I’ll miss, and the joy she brought so many.”
Charlie Sheen, a co-star on Men, added, “An absolute sweetheart, a consummate pro, a genuine friend. Berta, your housekeeping was a tad suspect, your ‘people’ keeping was perfect.”
Who was Conchata Ferrell?
In 1992, the seasoned actor was nominated for an Emmy for her performance as Susan Bloom on L.A. Law. During the sixth season of that Emmy-winning show, she was a regular. Good Times, ER, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, BJ and the Bear, and Grace and Frankie are among her other prominent TV shows.
Conchata Ferrell was a well-known theater actress. She rose to prominence as a founding member of the Circle Repertory Theatre off-Broadway. In 1974, she won a Drama Desk Award, a Theatre World Award, and an Obie Award for Best Actress for her performance as Gertrude Blum in Edward J. Moore’s The Sea Horse. Her appearance as April Green in Lanford Wilson’s Hot L Baltimore led to a prominent part in the Norman Lear television series, which she starred in in 1975.
“one of the dearest people and most amazing talents I have ever worked with,” Lear said of Ferrell.
Other significant performances in which Conchata Ferrell starred include Tennessee Williams’ Battle of Angels (later known as Orpheus Descending) in 1974 and William Inge’s Picnic at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.
How did Conchata Ferrell become a successful actress?
Marshall W. Mason, Circle Rep’s founding creative director, remarked, “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.”
Heartland — her first leading part — Network, Mystic Pizza, True Romance, Erin Brockovich, Edward Scissorhands, Mr. Deeds, and Krampus are among Ferrell’s many cinematic credits. Ferrell was handled by Judith Moss, a talent agent and personal friend, during her life.
Moss remarked “I started my long journey with Conchata Ferrell in 1975, what started as an agent/client relationship grew into a long-lasting friendship, and I consider her family. Her work and being in front of an audience were always her joy. Conchata’s talent, laughter, and smart, quick wit that she brought to her characters and her life will be greatly missed.”
Conchata Ferrell personal life
Conchata Galen Ferrell was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on March 28, 1943, and entered West Virginia University and Marshall University. Ferrell earned a history education degree from Marshall University. She then spent several years at UCLA teaching television acting.
Conchata Ferrell, whose latest achievements include Netflix‘s The Ranch, the TV movie A Very Nutty Christmas, and the forthcoming film Deported, was recently admitted to a long-term care facility after having a heart attack. She lived with her husband, Arnie Anderson, and daughter, Samantha. The family begs that any donations be sent to TheLovelandFoundation.org and ASPCA.org in lieu of flowers.
More from Mason’s recollections of Conchata Ferrell, whom he directed in some of her most important plays:
“After graduating from Marshall University, Conchata Ferrell came from West Virginia to the Circle Repertory Company, an off-off-Broadway company in its first year, where she made her debut as the Maid who lighted a chandelier and then raised it to illuminate Chekhov’s Three Sisters.
Lanford Wilson saw Chatty (as we all knew her) as Agnes in his one-act Ludlow Fair opposite Trish Hawkins, and he was so delighted that he wrote The Hot L Baltimore for them. Chatty anchored the long-running hit as April, the world-weary wise-cracker who had done everything and enjoyed most of it. Her star turn attracted the attention of Norman Lear, who created a television series of Hot L around her.
Before she left for Hollywood, Chatty came back to Circle Rep to play Gertie, a mesmerizing performance in The Sea Horse, which won her an Obie Award.
Then, she played the breathless, sexually hysterical artist Vee Talbot, the wife of the red-neck Sheriff in the New York premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Battle of Angels.
In the early ’80s, she joined an all-star cast in the Ahmanson Theater production of Picnic, as Mrs. Potts, the warm-hearted neighbor of Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rue McClanahan. She reprised her role in the Showtime television version.”
an absolute sweetheart
a consummate pro
a genuine friend
a shocking and painful loss.Berta,
your housekeeping
was a tad suspect,
your “people”keeping was perfect.💕©️💕 pic.twitter.com/cJMK8APgQV
— Charlie Sheen (@charliesheen) October 13, 2020
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. https://t.co/SucL6gFaAR
— Jon Cryer (@MrJonCryer) October 13, 2020
