Carol Ann Susi, Unseen Actress on 'Big Bang Theory,' Dies at 62
She was not on the list.
The actress voiced Mrs. Wolowitz
Carol Ann Susi, best known for voicing Mrs. Wolowitz on CBS'
The Big Bang Theory, died early Tuesday morning in Los Angeles of cancer. She
was 62.
"The Big Bang Theory family has lost a beloved member
today with the passing of Carol Ann Susi, who hilariously and memorably voiced
the role of Mrs. Wolowitz," read a statement from Warner Bros. Television
and Big Bang Theory producers Chuck Lorre, Steve Molaro and Bill Prady.
"Unseen by viewers, the Mrs. Wolowitz character became a bit of a mystery
throughout the show's eight seasons. What was not a mystery, however, was Carol
Ann's immense talent and comedic timing, which were on display during each unforgettable
appearance. In addition to her talent, Carol Ann was a constant source of joy
and kindness to all. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family
during this time, and we will miss her greatly."
Her co-stars mourned her on social media.
Mrs. Wolowitz was rarely seen on-screen — though eagle-eyed
viewers caught a glimpse of the pink-clad parent at Howard's (Simon Helberg)
wedding in the fifth season finale.
"The glimpse on the rooftop is all you're going to get
for now!" showrunner Molaro told The Hollywood Reporter at the time.
"Isn't she better left to the imagination? There are no plans to actually
see her on camera, and I think it's probably better that way."
It is unclear how Susi's passing will impact the show,
though it is worth noting Melissa Rauch (Bernadette) does a spot-on impression
of her character. Mrs. Wolowitz has had a central storyline this season, in
which the gang's friend Stuart (Kevin Sussman) moves in with Mrs. Wolowitz to
nurse her through her declining health. Howard becomes jealous, thinking Stuart
has replaced him in his mother's heart.
Susi grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Los Angeles in the
1970s. Shortly after, she earned a spot as Kolchak's secretary, Monique
Marmelstein, on ABC's The Night Stalker. Other credits include guest
appearances on Cheers, Doogie Howser, M.D., Mad About You, Just Shoot Me,
Seinfeld and Six Feet Under.
On the 1992 Seinfeld episode "The Boyfriend"
(which famously features a guest-starring stint by New York Mets first baseman
Keith Hernandez), Susi’s character, the daughter of an unemployment officer,
goes out on a horrible date with George (Jason Alexander).
Susi also appeared in several Los Angeles theatrical
productions, including Justin Tanner’s Heartbreak Help and Coyote Women, and
she was in the original cast (with Lisa Kudrow) of Robin Schiff’s Ladies’ Room.
Susi is survived by her brother, Michael Susi, and his wife
Connie, and many friends she considered to be family.
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1974 Kolchak:
Crackle of Death Monique
Marmelstein TV movie, Segment:
"Firefall"
1981 Leave 'em
Laughing Gina TV movie
1984 Love Scenes Susan
1987 Outrageous
Fortune Receptionist
The Secret of My Succe$s Jean
as Carol-Ann Susi
1989 Married to
the Mob Marilyn TV movie
Blood Red Segestra
Daughter #1
Wedding Band Angela
Sea of Love Additional
voice
1990 My Blue
Heaven Filomena
Masters of Menace Candy
Colletti
Doner Berlinetti TV movie
1992 Death Becomes
Her Psychiatric Patient
1993 Under
Investigation Neighbor
1994 Big Daddy's
Barbeque Deirdre TV movie
1996 Qiana Waitress Short
film
Edie & Pen Irma
Wedding Bell Blues Aunt
Anash
The Cottonwood
1997 Eat Your
Heart Out Cynthia
1998 Mafia! Clamato's Wife
Waiting for Woody Short
film
2000 The Amati
Girls Ticket Seller
Tempest Eye Monique
2001 Cats &
Dogs Sophie's Sister
2002 Duty Dating Seminar Woman
2004 Just Desserts
Mrs. Guzzi TV movie
2005 McBride: It's
Murder, Madam Helen
2006 Coffee Date Diana's Assistant
2008 Red Velvet Mother
2011 Just Go with
It Mrs. Maccabee
2014 A Life, Taken
Ms. Mancuso Short film, final film role
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1974 Kolchak: The
Night Stalker Monique
Marmelstein 3 episodes
1975 McCoy 1 episode
McMillan & Wife Luana
1976 Rich Man,
Poor Man Waitress
1987 My Sister Sam
Marsha Hammer
Simon & Simon Doreen
Jake and the Fatman Sally
1989 Who's the
Boss? Ginger
1990 Growing Pains
Norma
Night Court Mara
Bernstein
Head of the Class Nurse
Lemas
The New Adam-12 Vicki
Married People Gloria
1990–1993 Murphy
Brown Woman Checker/Secretary #37 2 episodes
1991 Cheers Angeline 1
episode
Doogie Howser, M.D. Psychic
1992 Seinfeld Carrie 2 episodes
Bob Debra 1 episode
A Different World Desk
Sergeant
Mad About You Female
Passenger
1993 Blossom Nun
Good Advice Patient
1994 NYPD Blue Connie
1995 Pointman Miss Sloane/Pageant Director
1995–1996 Married...
with Children Frannie 3 episodes
1996 The Home
Court Connie 1 episode
ER Pregnant
Alien-Abductee
1996–1997 Someone
So Right Gracie/Grace 8 episodes
1997 Fired Up Meat Selling Woman 1 episode
1998 Just Shoot
Me! Mrs. Boukidis
Oh Baby Felicia
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Doris
Becker Mrs. Marino
USA High Mrs.
Lazzarini
1999 Happily Ever
After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Third
Pigeon
2000 City Guys Surly Woman
2000
2005 The King of
Queens Service Counter
Manager/Mrs. Deluca 2 episodes
2001 Rude
Awakening Brandy 1 episode
That's Life Tessie
Dalton
Six Feet Under Pauline
Romano
2004 The Drew
Carey Show Doris
2005 Out of
Practice Susy 2 episodes
2006 Love, Inc. Gwen 1 episode
That '70s Show Receptionist
2 episodes
2007 Journeyman 1 episode
Celebrity Deathmatch Danica
Patrick 1 episode
2007–2014; 2017 The
Big Bang Theory Debbie Wolowitz 40 episodes
2008 Ugly Betty Mrs. Galeano 1 episode
Grey's Anatomy Mrs.
Borsokowski
2010 'Til Death Marjorie Putnam
2014 Sleepover
with Dan & Lauren Herself
2019 Young Sheldon
Debbie Wolowitz 1 episode, archived recording
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