Conchata Ferrell, Co-Star of Two and A Half Men, Has Died At 77
Conchata Ferrell, who played the lovable, no-nonsense, wisecracking live-in housekeeper Berta on Two and a Half Men has died at the age of 77. The actress died following complications of cardiac arrest.
Conchata Ferrell — A Life Well Lived
Deadline reports she passed away at Sherman Oaks Hospital, surrounded by family.
“She was a beautiful human,” Two and a Half Men Emmy-winner Jon Cryer posted on Twitter. “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.”
While Two and a Half Men made Ferrell a household name and a weekly fixture for years in people’s homes, she appeared in several series and films, amassing 131 credits to her resume.
Born March 28, 1943, in Charleston, West Virginia, Ferrell attended West Virginia University and Marshall University, earning a degree in social studies education. She was drawn to the theater and appeared in the off-Broadway production of Hot L Baltimore. Norman Lear brought the series to television, alas, it was a rare miss for the esteemed TV producer/creator.
Ferrell’s TV debut was actually on the Norman Lear-created series Maude. She played a woman named Rita Valdez and was poised to take over as Maude’s (Bea Arthur) maid after Florida (Esther Rolle) left her employ, but Rita only appeared in the lone episode.
Ferrell’s resume would go on to read like a “Who’s Who” of TV series. She appeared on One Day at a Time, The Rockford Files, Good Times, The Love Boat, and The Misadventures of Sherriff Lobo.
In 1980, Ferrell appeared in a memorable two-part episode of Knots Landing as Mrs. Mesinger, mother to a woman, who falsely accused Sid Fairgate (Don Murray) of rape. Other credits include B.J. and the Bear, Lou Grant, Cagney & Lacey, and St. Elsewhere.
Ferrell appeared on a medical series titled E/R that starred George Clooney, but this wasn’t the drama from the 1990s, but rather a sitcom that aired for one season, 1984-85. The actress played the part of Nurse Joan Thor. (In 2001, Ferrell guested on ER, the drama.)
Additional credits include Night Court, and Who’s the Boss. From 1991-92, Ferrell recurred as attorney Susan Bloom on L.A. Law. Her portrayal of Susan won her a Primetime Emmy nomination in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1992. For three years in the 1990s, she appeared as a regular on the sitcom Hearts Afire.
As Berta on Two and a Half Men, Ferrell scored two Primetime Emmy nominations in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She appeared on the Chuck Lorre-created series throughout its entire run from 2003-2015.
Ferrell brought Berta to life, playing her gruff, but lovable. Stern, but thoughtful. She didn’t let Charlie (Charlie Sheen), Alan (Jon Cryer), or Jake (Angus T. Jones) get away with much. In the series final years, when Ashton Kutcher joined the cast as Walden, Berta couldn’t help but find her new boss attractive!
On the big screen, Ferrell appeared in the movies Mystic Pizza with Julia Roberts and the Oscar-winning film Network (1976). Her last listed credit is the TV film Deported, set for release April 2021. Ferrell is survived by a husband Arnie Anderson, and a daughter, Samantha. Entertainment Hub sends sincere condolences to Ferrell’s family at this difficult time.
Filmography
Year Title Role Director Notes Source
1974 Maude Rita Valdez Hal Cooper TV series (1 episode: "Florida's Goodbye")
1975 Hot l Baltimore April Green Bob LaHendro
Burt Brinckerhoff TV series (13 episodes)
1976 Deadly Hero Slugger Ann Ivan Nagy
Network Barbara Schlesinger Sidney Lumet
1977 The Rockford Files Ella Mae White Reza Badiyi TV series (1 episode: "Crack Back")
Mixed Nuts Nurse Cassidy Jerry Belson
Peter H. Hunt TV short
Blansky's Beauties Nurse Gibbons Alan Rafkin TV series (1 episode: "Nancy Breaks a Leg")
The Girl Called Hatter Fox Nurse Rinehart George Schaefer TV movie
Good Times Miss Johnson Gerren Keith TV series (1 episode: "Willona, the Fuzz")
One Day at a Time Phyllis McDermott Herbert Kenwith TV series (1 episode: "The Singles Bar")
1978 A Death in Canaan Rita Parsons Tony Richardson TV movie
Who'll Save Our Children? Dodie Hart George Schaefer (2) TV movie
1979 The Love Boat Bitsy Sheldon Roger Duchowny TV series (2 episodes)
Heartland Elinore Randall Stewart Richard Pearce
Before and After Marge Kim Friedman TV movie
The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo The Fox Bruce Bilson TV series (2 episodes)
B. J. and the Bear Wilhemina 'The Fox' Johnson Several directors TV series (4 episodes)
1980 The Seduction of Miss Leona Hazel Dawson Joseph Hardy TV movie
Reunion Toni Owens Russ Mayberry TV movie
Rape and Marriage: The Rideout Case Helen Peter Levin TV movie
Knots Landing Mrs. Messinger Edward Parone TV series (2 episodes)
1981 CBS Afternoon Playhouse Mamie Trotter Jeffrey Hayden TV series (1 episode: "The Great Gilly Hopkins")
McClain's Law Vangie Cruise Vincent McEveety TV movie (pilot for TV series McClain's Law)
Lou Grant Myra Wexler Peter Levin (2) TV series (1 episode: "Drifters")
B. J. and the Bear Wilhemina 'The Fox' Johnson Christian I. Nyby II TV series (1 episode: "B.J. and the Seven Lady Truckers: Part 2")
1982 Quincy, M.E. Mrs. Werner Georg Fenady TV series (1 episode: "Into the Murdering Mind")
Life of the Party: The Story of Beatrice Captain Burnsite Lamont Johnson TV movie
Cagney & Lacey Charlene Reza Badiyi (2) TV series (1 episode: "High Steel")
1983 St. Elsewhere Gina Barnett Mark Tinker TV series (1 episode: "Hearts")
American Playhouse Faye Doyle Michael Dinner TV series (1 episode: "Miss Lonelyhearts")
Emergency Room Nurse Sylvia Kaye Lee H. Katzin TV movie
1984 Nadia Mili Simonescu Alan Cooke TV movie
Faerie Tale Theatre Thumbelina's Mother Michael Lindsay-Hogg TV series (1 episode: "Thumbelina")
The Three Wishes of Billy Grier Dr. Gardner Corey Blechman TV movie
1984–85 E/R Nurse Joan Thor Peter Bonerz TV series (22 episodes)
1985 The Fisher Family
Sharron Miller TV series (1 episode: "The Stranger")
North Beach and Rawhide Doc Norman Harry Falk TV movie
1986 Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story Ida Sinclair Richard T. Heffron TV movie
Where the River Runs Black Mother Marta Christopher Cain
Picnic Helen Potts Marshall W. Mason TV movie
Matlock Mrs. Reese Alan Cooke (2) TV series (1 episode: "The Sisters")
1987 Night Court Nurse Jim Drake TV series (1 episode: "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson")
Sledge Hammer! Judge Ida Gruff Reza Badiyi (3) TV series (1 episode: "Jagged Sledge")
Frank's Place Jan Rudy Hugh Wilson TV series (1 episode: "The Bridge")
Eye on the Sparrow Mary John Korty TV movie
1988 Hooperman
Rick Wallace TV series (1 episode: "The Snitch")
For Keeps Mrs. Bobrucz John G. Avildsen
Who's the Boss? Frances James Eric Hornbeck TV series (1 episode: "Housekeepers Unite")
Sonny Spoon Tough Habit Dick Miller TV series (1 episode: "Tough Habit")
CBS Summer Playhouse Kate David Trainer TV series (1 episode: "Old Money")
Mystic Pizza Leona Donald Petrie
ABC Weekend Special Aunt Jill Ron Underwood TV series (1 episode: "Runaway Ralph")
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July
George Miller TV Movie
Portrait of a White Marriage
Harry Shearer
1988–92 L.A. Law Susan Bloom / Lorna Landsberg Several directors TV series (20 episodes)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1992)
1989 A Peaceable Kingdom Kate Galindo Mark Waxman TV series (10 episodes)
Murder, She Wrote Harriet Lundgren John Llewellyn Moxey TV series (1 episode: "Something Borrowed, Someone Blue")
Your Mother Wears Combat Boots Specialist Mononaghee Anson Williams TV Movie
Hard Time on Planet Earth Annie James A. Contner TV series (1 episode: "The Hot Dog Man")
1990 Hollywood Dog
William Dear TV movie
Opposites Attract Flo Noel Nosseck TV movie
Edward Scissorhands Helen Tim Burton
1991 Deadly Intentions... Again? Joan James Steven Sadwith TV movie
Chains of Gold Martha Burke Rod Holcomb TV movie
Backfield in Motion Ann Bedowski Richard Michaels TV movie
1992–95 Hearts Afire Dr. Madeline Stoessinger / Dr. Ruth Colquist Several directors TV series (33 episodes)
1993 The Legend of Prince Valiant Girl (voice)
TV series (1 episode: "The Sage")
Dinosaurs Shelly (voice) Bruce Bilson (2) TV series (1 episode: "Dirty Dancin'")
Family Prayers Mrs. Romeyo Scott M. Rosenfelt
Sirens Mrs. Chattle
TV series (1 episode: "Keeping the Peace")
True Romance Mary Louise Ravencroft Tony Scott
Cobra Bobby Gutner Jorge Montesi TV series (1 episode: "Honeymoon Hideaway")
Heaven & Earth Bernice Oliver Stone
1994 Samurai Cowboy Bobbi Bob Pickette Michael Keusch
A Worn Path Nurse Bruce Schwartz
Duckman Roxanne (voice) Jeff McGrath
John Eng TV series (2 episodes)
1995 The Buccaneers Mrs. Elmsworth Philip Saville TV miniseries (1 episode: "Invasion")
The Naked Truth Maxine Mansfield
TV series (1 episode: "Muddy for Nothing")
The Mask: Animated Series Willamina Bubask (voice)
TV series (1 episode: "How Much Is That Dog in the Tin Can?")
The Client Rue James Quinn TV series (1 episode: "The Way Things Never Were")
1996 Freeway Mrs. Sheets Matthew Bright
Minor Adjustments Mrs. Daisy Gotschel
TV series (1 episode: "The Ungrateful Dead")
Walker, Texas Ranger Lureen Smith Michael Preece TV series (1 episode: "Miracle at Middle Creek")
Sweet Dreams Dr. Kate Lowe Jack Bender TV movie
Townies Marge Pamela Fryman TV series (2 episodes)
My Fellow Americans Woman Truck Driver Peter Segal
1997 Touch Virginia Worrel Paul Schrader
ABC TGIF Pam
TV series (1 episode: "Frightful Halloween Bash")
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Simpah (voice) Denise Downer TV series (1 episode: "Clockwise/Gromble Soup")
1997–98 Teen Angel Pam Several directors TV series (17 episodes)
1998 Modern Vampires Wanda Richard Elfman TV movie
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Nurse Greenliegh David Semel TV series (1 episode: "Go Fish")
1999 Touched by an Angel Irene
TV series (1 episode: "The Medium and the Message")
Two Guys and a Girl Shawn's Mother Gil Junger TV series (1 episode: "Two Guys, a Girl and Valentine's Day")
JAG Deanne Terrence O'Hara TV series (1 episode: "Second Sight")
Friends The Judge Gary Halvorson TV series (1 episode: "The One with Joey's Porsche")
Chicken Soup for the Soul Mrs. Patterson
TV series (1 episode: "Crying's Okay")
2000 Crime and Punishment in Suburbia Bella Rob Schmidt
Erin Brockovich Brenda Steven Soderbergh
Get Real Rosa Hernandez Richard Compton TV series (1 episode: "Support")
Pensacola Helen Wilson Sidney J. Furie TV series (1 episode: "Answered Prayers")
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Ma Munchapper (voice) Steve Loter TV series (3 episodes)
The Wild Thornberrys Harriet (voice) Carol Millican TV series (1 episode: "Time Flies")
2001 Stranger Inside Mama Cass Cheryl Dunye TV movie
Popular Calamity Jones Ryan Murphy TV series (1 episode: "The News of My Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated")
The Zeta Project Dr. Greer (voice) Rob Davies TV series (1 episode: "The Next Gen")
Amy & Isabelle Bev Lloyd Kramer TV movie
Going to California Nurse Lucy
TV series (1 episode: "I Know Why the Caged Rhino Sings")
ER Mrs. Jenkins Christopher Misiano TV series (1 episode: "Four Corners")
K-PAX Betty McAllister Iain Softley
2002 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch The Bus Driver Beth Broderick TV series (1 episode: "Guilty!")
Mr. Deeds Jan Steven Brill
Push, Nevada Martha Lisa Cholodenko TV series (1 episode: "The Letter of the Law")
2003 Becker Zora Chris Brougham TV series (1 episode: "Ms. Fortune")
Judging Amy Maxine's Co-Worker Alan Myerson TV series (1 episode: "Kilt Trip")
The Wild Thornberrys Grizzly Bear (voice)
TV series (1 episode: "The Wild Snob-berry")
2003–15 Two and a Half Men Berta Several directors Recurring role (season 1)
Main role (season 2–12) (211 episodes)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2005, 2007)
2004 Surviving Eden Rosemary Flotchky Greg Pritikin
2007 Kabluey Kathleen Scott Prendergast
2012 Frankenweenie Bob's Mom (voice) Tim Burton (2)
2013 Not That, But Something Like That
Benjamin Hasko Short
2014 Postal Jerks Carmelita James Skinner TV movie
Villisca Mrs. Flanks Tony E. Valenzuela
Wishin' and Hopin' Sister Agrippina Colin Theys TV movie
2015 Krampus Aunt Dorothy Michael Dougherty
2015 Postal Jerks Carmelita James Skinner Television film
2016 Grace and Frankie Grandma Jean Trent O'Donnell TV series (1 episode: "The Negotiation")
2016 The Axe Murders of Villisca Mrs. Flanks Tony E. Valenzuela
2017 The Ranch Shirley Don Reo
Jim Patterson TV series (5 episodes)
2018 A Very Nutty Christmas Clara Colin Theys Television movie
2021 Deported Betsy Tyler Spindel Completed
Posthumous release
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