July 20, 2018

Conchata Ferrell - yet another unsung hero of Film & TV


Imagine kicking off your TV career in Maude. One of the most fearless and taboo breaking TV shows ever made. Now imagine kicking off your film career in Network, one of THE seminal films of the 1970's. That's a tough act to follow. You mightn't know her name but Conchata Ferrell is an actress you'll definitely recognise. She's been in the background of our film & TV watching for nearly 44 years now and it's always a nice surprise to see her. Most people will know her from Two And A Half Men but she's been around for far longer than that show and done far better things.

She's been in Oscar winning Sidney Lumet and Steven Soderbergh films and awful Oliver Stone films. Had her hair styled by a man with Scissorhands. Played tired casting agents written by Tarantino. She's been arrested by Cagney & Lacey and defended by Matlock. Been murdered in Sunnydale high school by mutant fish teens and had a relaxing time onboard the Love Boat. Put up with Charlie Sheen's nonsense for far far too long. Been in both ER and E/R. She's been the cause of Ross Geller's third divorce. She's been in 70 different TV shows and appeared in just about every type of genre picture there is. 44 years is a fine length for a acting career and you can check out her full career here.




Greatest hits

Two and A Half Men -  Bertha the housekeeper. Without a doubt the best thing about the show and definitely the only likeable character in a programme full of arseholes.

Krampus - Adds her unique touch as the briary Aunt Dorothy in this fun horror comedy that's just the ticket if you are sick of traditional Christmas movies.



True Romance - Mary Louise Ravencroft. The world weary casting director working on a reboot of TJ Hooker who gets to experience Dick Ritchie's special acting skills. Only one scene but it's a very funny one.

Mystic Pizza - Leona, the proprieter of Mystic Pizza. The film made Julia Roberts famous but Conchata steals the show. 

Previous heroes

Dick Miller
Veronica Cartwright
Edie McClurg
Barry Shabaka Henley           
Raymond Cruz                        
Reg E.Cathey                          
Elizabeth McGovern               
John Amos                              
Bruce Greenwood                  
Mary McDonnell                     
Gerald McSorley                       
John Rothman                        
Margo Martindale                   
Kurtwood Smith                     
Paula Malcolmson                 
Luis Guzman                          
David Morse                           
Linda Hunt                              
Keith David                             
Zeljko Ivanek
Fiona Shaw
Xander Berkeley
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
C.C.H Pounder
William Forsythe
Beth Grant
Sven-Ole Thorsen
Regina King
Ric Young
Mark Rolston
Illeana Douglas
Jeanette Goldstein
Al Leong
Allan Graf
Bill Nunn

Thomas Rosales Jr

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