Alice Drummond obit

Ghostbusters librarian actress Alice Drummond dies aged 88

She was not on the list.

Actress Alice Drummond, best known for playing the librarian in the original Ghostbusters film, has died at the age of 88.


Her friend June Gable said the actress died from complications after a fall she sustained two months ago.


Drummond's other film credits include Doubt, which starred Amy Adams and Meryl Streep, and Awakenings, with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams.


She also played Ross and Monica's grandmother in an episode of Friends.


Drummond was born Alice Elizabeth Ruyter on 21 May 1928.


In 1950, she married Paul Drummond, with whom she moved to Manhattan. The couple divorced in 1976.


She became known as a theatre and television actress before landing her first feature film role in the 1970 comedy Where's Poppa?


Drummond went on to appear in films such as Synecdoche, New York and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective alongside Jim Carrey.


Her most recent film appearance was in the 2010 comedy Furry Vengeance, which starred Brendan Fraser and Brooke Shields.


But it was her appearance in the original Ghostbusters film, released in 1984, which she is likely to be best remembered for.


In the opening scene, Drummond is seen as a librarian who is terrified by a spook among the bookshelves before being questioned by Bill Murray's character.



Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes

1970 Where's Poppa? Woman in Elevator

1974 Man on a Swing Mrs. Dawson

1977 Thieves Mrs. Ramsey

1978 King of the Gypsies Zharko's Nurse

1980 Hide in Plain Sight Mrs. Novack

1981 Eyewitness Mrs. Eunice Deever

1982 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Governor's Secretary

1984 Ghostbusters Librarian

1988 The House on Carroll Street Woman at Hearing

1988 The Suicide Club

1988 Funny Farm Mrs. Ethel Dinges

1988 Running on Empty Mrs. Powell

1989 Animal Behavior Site Committee #1

1990 Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Carolyn (segment "Cat From Hell")

1990 Awakenings Lucy

1993 Money for Nothing Mrs. Breen

1994 Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Mrs. Finkle

1994 Nobody's Fool Hattie

1994 I.Q. Dinner Guest

1995 Jeffrey Grandma Rose

1995 To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar Clara

1996 Walking and Talking Betsy

1996 Just in Time Edith Short film

1997 Commandments Mrs. Mann

1997 'Til There Was You Harriet

1997 Office Killer Carlotta Douglas

1997 In & Out Aunt Susan

1999 Just the Ticket Lady with Cash

1999 The Love Letter Postal Clerk

1999 I'll Take You There Stella

1999 Advice from a Caterpillar Diner Grandmother

2000 Joe Gould's Secret Helen

2001 The Rising Place Aunt Millie

2003 Pieces of April Grandma Dottie

2004 House of D Mrs. Brevoort

2005 The Honeymooners Miss Benvenuti

2008 Chronic Town Elizabeth

2008 Synecdoche, New York Actress Playing Frances

2008 Doubt Sister Veronica

2009 Motherhood Edith

2009 After.Life Mrs. Hutton

2010 Furry Vengeance Mrs. Martin

2011 Open House Ruthie Short film, (final role)

Television

Year Title Role Notes

1967 Dark Shadows Nurse Jackson Recurring role (5 episodes)

1970 New York Television Theatre Episode: "The Sandbox"

1971-1973 Where the Heart Is Loretta Jardin TV series

1972 Particular Men Mrs. Ewing TV film

1977 The Best of Families Mabel Baldwin TV miniseries

1977 Great Performances Mrs. Varney Episode: "Secret Service"

1978 Ryan's Hope Susie Simpson Episodes: "1.714", "1.719", "1.720"

1979 Sanctuary of Fear Grace Barringer TV film

1981 Park Place Frances Heine Main role (4 episodes)

1981 Love, Sidney Tina Episode: "Hello, Yetta"

1984 American Playhouse Hiss' Secretary Episode: "Concealed Enemies, Part I: Suspicion"

1984 Night Court Mavis Tuttle Episode: "Harry and the Rock Star"

1984 Great Performances Gay Wellington Episode: "You Can't Take It with You"

1986 The Equalizer Kind Woman Episode: "Nocturne"

1987 Night Court Alice Beeker Episode: "Murder"

1988 Kate & Allie Mrs. Rinde Episode: "The Band Singer"

1989 Nikki and Alexander Mrs. Klein TV pilot

1989 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Juror Episode: "Here's a Major Organ Interlude"

1989 Money, Power, Murder. Helen TV film

1990-1991 Lenny Mary Callahan Regular role (16 episodes)

1992 Frannie's Turn Rosa Escobar Main role (6 episodes)

1993 Daybreak Anna TV film

1994 Grace Under Fire Nana Lil Episode: "With This Ring"

1994 Law & Order Zelda Episode: "Mayhem"

1995 New York News Episode: "Thin Line"

1996 Cosby Mrs. Bagley Episode: "Neighborhood Watch"

1998 Trinity Mrs. Bingham Episode: "Pilot"

1999 Earthly Possessions Old Woman in Jalopy TV film

2000 Spin City Sondra Spencer Episode: "Suffragette City"

2002 Ed Mrs. Shroeder Episode: "Memory Lane"

2004 The Jury Hannah Francis Episode: "The Honeymoon Suite"

2005 Boston Legal Lydia Tuffalo Episode: "The Ass Fat Jungle"

2007 Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom's For One More Day TV film