Adrian Ricard obit

Adrian Ricard(1924-2016)

 

She was not on the list.

Actress. She is best remembered for her portrayal of the loving yet firm Granny Spooner in "I, Robot" (2004). Born into a working-class family, upon attaining her degree in theatrical arts from the HB Studio, she began her career as a leading lady on the stage in stock companies appearing in such productions as "The Amen Corner," "A Raisin in the Sun," "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," "Black Nativity," "Blues for Mister Charlie," and "Cabin in the Sky". Upon being introduced to director William A. Graham while attending a social function at the prestigious Radio City Music Hall, he was so impressed by her remarkable wit, distinctive voice, and humble charm, that he arranged for her to begin a career in the film industry beginning with her appearing under his supervision per a supporting in "Jigsaw" (1972). From there, she would go on to flourish as a notable character actress appearing in over 70 features. Often typecast as wives, mothers, grandmothers, old maids, relatives, landladies, neighbors, secretaires, white-collared workers, housekeepers, eccentrics, curmudgeons, educators, authority figures, and matriarchs. She appeared in such feature films as "Sunshine" (1973), "Returning Home" (1975), "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" (1982), "Special Bulletin" (1983), "The Man with Two Brains" (1983), "Love Hurts" (1990), "Mission of Justice" (1992), "Jimmy Hollywood" (1994), "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" (1995), "Bulworth" (1998), and "The Egg Plant Lady" (2000). On television, she appeared in various guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Harry O," "Sanford and Son," "The Manhunter," "Emergency!," "Good Times," "The Rockford Files," "Gemini Man," "Lou Grant," "Kojak," "The White Shadow," "T.J. Hooker," "The Jeffersons," "Simon & Simon," "The Facts of Life," "Hotel," "What's Happening Now!," "Knots Landing," "Highway to Heaven," "Days of Our Lives," "A Brand New Life," "New Attitude," "Civil Wars," "Melrose Place," "Chicago Hope," "Sister, Sister," "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper," "7th Heaven," "Any Day Now," "Judging Amy," "L.A. Heat," "The Parkers," "Becker," "ER," "NYPD Blue," "The Gaurdian," "Anger Management," and "Everybody Loves Raymond". During her career, she was an honorary member of Actors Equity, was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, had been a politically active Democrat, was a regular parishioner of the Methodist church, was among the several founding members of the Canyon Theatre Guild, had been a commercial model for the Ford Agency, was a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, had been a celebrity spokesman for Lipton's Tea and Paper Mate Ballpoint Pens, sat on the board of directors for the California division of the Homemakers of America, was involved within her local charters of the American Red Cross and the Boys and Girls Clubs, and she was a notable audiobook narrator. Upon her 2004 retirement, Ricard, who never married nor mothered any children, retired from acting and spent the remainder of her life being a regular attendee at autograph conventions, and was involved in charitable and religious causes, until her death from the complications of advanced age.

 

Actress

Patricia Richardson and Rosa Blasi in Strong Medicine (2000)

Strong Medicine

6.7

TV Series

2004

1 episode

 

Will Smith in I, Robot (2004)

I, Robot

7.1

Granny (as Adrian L. Ricard)

2004

 

Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler in Anger Management (2003)

Anger Management

6.3

Rose Rydell (uncredited)

2003

 

Peter Boyle, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, and Ray Romano in Everybody Loves Raymond (1996)

Everybody Loves Raymond

7.3

TV Series

Lesley Gorman

2003

1 episode

 

Dennis Franz, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Jacqueline Obradors, Charlotte Ross, Henry Simmons, and Gordon Clapp in NYPD Blue (1993)

NYPD Blue

7.8

TV Series

Estelle HaywoodLandlady

1996–2002

2 episodes

 

The Guardian (2001)

The Guardian

7.4

TV Series

Ellis

2002

1 episode

 

Bette Midler in Bette (2000)

Bette

6.6

TV Series

Bernice

2001

1 episode

 

Nastassja Kinski, Alyson Hannigan, Steve Harris, Jennifer Esposito, and Todd Field in Rip It Off (2001)

Rip It Off

3.9

Mrs. Leechner

2001

 

Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Ming-Na Wen, Noah Wyle, Laura Innes, Alex Kingston, Eriq La Salle, Kellie Martin, Paul McCrane, Michael Michele, Erik Palladino, Maura Tierney, and Goran Visnjic in ER (1994)

ER

7.9

TV Series

Mrs. Howard

1999–2001

2 episodes

 

Terry Farrell, Ted Danson, Alex Désert, Shawnee Smith, and Hattie Winston in Becker (1998)

Becker

7.3

TV Series

Ruth 'Nana' Malinak

2001

1 episode

 

Arli$$ (1996)

Arli$$

7.1

TV Series

2000

1 episode

 

Jenna von Oÿ, Ken Lawson, Mo'Nique, Countess Vaughn, Dorien Wilson, and Yvette Wilson in The Parkers (1999)

The Parkers

6.9

TV Series

Old Lady

2000

1 episode

 

The Egg Plant Lady

4.4

Lucy

2000

 

Judging Amy (1999)

Judging Amy

7.1

TV Series

LaBarbara Kettler

2000

1 episode

 

Sugar Ray Leonard, Dawn Eason, Wolf Larson, Renee Tenison, Kenneth Tigar, and Steven Williams in L.A. Heat (1996)

L.A. Heat

6.8

TV Series

Mary

1999

1 episode

 

Shadows of the Past (1999)

Shadows of the Past

6.2

Mavis

1999

 

Annie Potts and Lorraine Toussaint in Any Day Now (1998)

Any Day Now

8.4

TV Series

Frances GardnerChurchwoman

1998

2 episodes

 

Warren Beatty in Bulworth (1998)

Bulworth

6.8

Aunt Alice

1998

 

Jessica Biel, Beverley Mitchell, Barry Watson, David Gallagher, Catherine Hicks, Mackenzie Rosman, and Happy in 7th Heaven (1996)

7th Heaven

5.3

TV Series

Joan

1997

1 episode

 

Tamera Mowry-Housley, Tim Reid, Jackée Harry, and Tia Mowry in Sister, Sister (1994)

Sister, Sister

6.3

TV Series

BarbaraMartha

1994–1997

2 episodes

 

Holly Robinson Peete, Mark Curry, Sandra Quarterman, Raven-Symoné, and Marquise Wilson in Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992)

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

6.4

TV Series

Mrs. Massy

1996

1 episode

 

Lauren Holly, Hector Elizondo, Carla Gugino, Mark Harmon, Barbara Hershey, Mandy Patinkin, Adam Arkin, and Rocky Carroll in Chicago Hope (1994)

Chicago Hope

6.9

TV Series

Old Woman

1995

1 episode

 

Kirk Cameron in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1995)

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes

5.0

TV Movie

Mrs. Weaver

1995

 

Dinah Manoff, Kristy McNichol, David Leisure, Richard Mulligan, and Park Overall in Empty Nest (1988)

Empty Nest

6.6

TV Series

Woman #1

1994

1 episode

 

Jimmy Hollywood (1994)

Jimmy Hollywood

5.3

Receptionist

1994

 

Charles S. Dutton in Roc (1991)

Roc

7.5

TV Series

Madge

1994

1 episode

 

Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993)

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

6.7

TV Series

Older Woman

1993

1 episode

 

Della Reese, Larenz Tate, Mariann Aalda, Redd Foxx, Sylver Gregory, and Naya Rivera in The Royal Family (1991)

The Royal Family

7.3

TV Series

Edna

1992

1 episode

 

Brigitte Nielsen and Jeff Wincott in Mission of Justice (1992)

Mission of Justice

5.7

Video

Flora Parker

1992

 

Melrose Place (1992)

Melrose Place

6.0

TV Series

Grandmother

1992

1 episode

 

Tequila and Bonetti (1992)

Tequila and Bonetti

6.4

TV Series

Nurse

1992

1 episode

 

Mariel Hemingway and Peter Onorati in Civil Wars (1991)

Civil Wars

7.1

TV Series

Foreman

1991

1 episode

 

Homefront (1991)

Homefront

8.9

TV Series

Mrs. WheelerNeighbor #1

1991

2 episodes

 

Mark Harmon and Marlee Matlin in Reasonable Doubts (1991)

Reasonable Doubts

7.4

TV Series

Mrs. Bradford

1991

1 episode

 

James McDaniel, Anne Bobby, David Gianopoulos, and Mick Murray in Cop Rock (1990)

Cop Rock

4.6

TV Series

Wife

1990

1 episode

 

Sheryl Lee Ralph, Morris Day, and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney in New Attitude (1990)

New Attitude

8.2

TV Series

Thelma

1990

1 episode

 

Rebecca De Mornay, James Earl Jones, Powers Boothe, and Martin Landau in By Dawn's Early Light (1990)

By Dawn's Early Light

6.9

TV Movie

Mother in Woods

1990

 

Love Hurts (1990)

Love Hurts

5.4

Roxy

1990

 

Barbara Eden, Jennie Garth, David Tom, Don Murray, Shawnee Smith, Alison Sweeney, and Byron Thames in A Brand New Life (1989)

A Brand New Life

7.3

TV Series

1989

1 episode

 

Baby Boom (1988)

Baby Boom

5.6

TV Series

Rosalind

1989

1 episode

 

Days of Our Lives (1965)

Days of Our Lives

5.3

TV Series

Lizzie Putnam

1989

9 episodes

 

Oprah Winfrey, Robin Givens, Lynn Whitfield, Jackée Harry, Paula Kelly, Lonette McKee, and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney in The Women of Brewster Place (1989)

The Women of Brewster Place

7.8

TV Mini Series

Tenant #4

1989

2 episodes

 

Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, Constance McCashin, John Pleshette, and Ted Shackelford in Knots Landing (1979)

Knots Landing

7.0

TV Series

Woman

1989

2 episodes

 

Michael Landon in Highway to Heaven (1984)

Highway to Heaven

6.9

TV Series

Mrs. GaultLoretta

1986–1988

2 episodes

 

Frank's Place (1987)

Frank's Place

8.5

TV Series

Waitress

1987

1 episode

 

What's Happening Now! (1985)

What's Happening Now!

6.2

TV Series

Lady

1986

1 episode

 

Shadow Chasers (1985)

Shadow Chasers

7.7

TV Series

Clerk

1985

1 episode

 

Anne Baxter, James Brolin, and Connie Sellecca in Hotel (1983)

Hotel

6.4

TV Series

Clarissa

1984

1 episode

 

Nancy McKeon, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, Charlotte Rae, and Lisa Whelchel in The Facts of Life (1979)

The Facts of Life

6.9

TV Series

Customer #1

1984

1 episode

 

The Paper Chase (1978)

The Paper Chase

8.1

TV Series

1984

1 episode

 

Steve Martin in The Man with Two Brains (1983)

The Man with Two Brains

6.4

Nurse in Room

1983

 

Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker in Simon & Simon (1981)

Simon & Simon

7.1

TV Series

First GuardEstelle

1982–1983

2 episodes

 

Special Bulletin (1983)

Special Bulletin

7.5

TV Movie

1983

 

Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford in The Jeffersons (1975)

The Jeffersons

7.5

TV Series

LucyMaid #1

1978–1982

2 episodes

 

Steve Martin in Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

6.8

Mildred

1982

 

T.J. Hooker (1982)

T.J. Hooker

6.1

TV Series

Donut Lady

1982

1 episode

 

The White Shadow (1978)

The White Shadow

8.0

TV Series

Orphanage Worker

1980

1 episode

 

Lou Grant (1977)

Lou Grant

7.3

TV Series

Yvonne

1980

1 episode

 

Telly Savalas in Kojak (1973)

Kojak

7.1

TV Series

Mrs. Raines

1977

1 episode

 

Ben Murphy in Gemini Man (1976)

Gemini Man

6.3

TV Series

Wife

1976

1 episode

 

Noah Beery Jr. and James Garner in The Rockford Files (1974)

The Rockford Files

8.2

TV Series

ReceptionistMiss Connor

1974–1976

2 episodes

 

John Amos, Ralph Carter, Ja'net DuBois, Esther Rolle, BernNadette Stanis, and Jimmie 'JJ' Walker in Good Times (1974)

Good Times

7.4

TV Series

AdrianThe Matron

1975–1976

2 episodes

 

Doctors' Hospital (1975)

Doctors' Hospital

6.6

TV Series

Nurse Hester Stanton

1975–1976

4 episodes

 

Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson in Sanford and Son (1972)

Sanford and Son

7.9

TV Series

Mrs. Small

1975

1 episode

 

William Conrad in Cannon (1971)

Cannon

6.8

TV Series

Willa RaymondMrs. Haggarty

1974–1975

2 episodes

 

Returning Home (1975)

Returning Home

6.6

TV Movie

Customer

1975

 

Emergency! (1972)

Emergency!

7.9

TV Series

Willy's MotherPost Delivering Woman

1974–1975

2 episodes

 

John Anderson, Ken Howard, Gary Lockwood, and Stefanie Powers in The Manhunter (1974)

The Manhunter

7.0

TV Series

Binnie

1974

1 episode

 

David Janssen in Harry O (1973)

Harry O

7.6

TV Series

The Wife

1974

1 episode

 

Peter Falk in Columbo (1971)

Columbo

8.3

TV Series

DMV Clerk

1974

1 episode

 

Sons and Daughters (1974)

Sons and Daughters

8.4

TV Series

Receptionist

1974

1 episode

 

Cliff De Young and Cristina Raines in Sunshine (1973)

Sunshine

7.8

TV Movie

Nurse

1973

 

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969)

The Bold Ones: The New Doctors

6.9

TV Series

1st Night Nurse

1973

1 episode

 

James Wainwright in Jigsaw (1972)

Jigsaw

7.0

TV Movie

1972