Anne Ramsey

Anne Ramsey-Mobley (March 27, 1929 – August 11, 1988) was an American actress. She was best known for her film roles as Mama Fratelli in The Goonies and as Mrs. Lift in Throw Momma from the Train (1987), the latter of which earned her nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Additionally, Ramsey's respective turns in both aforementioned films earned her two Saturn Awards.

Early life and education Ramsey was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Eleanor (née Smith), the former national treasurer of the Girl Scouts of the USA, and Nathan Mobley, an insurance executive. Her mother was a descendant of the Pilgrims (William Brewster), and her uncle was U.S. Ambassador David S. Smith. Ramsey was raised in Great Neck, New York and Greenwich, Connecticut. They moved to Philadelphia, where they formed the Theatre of the Living Arts in 1959.

Career In the 1970s, Ramsey began a successful Hollywood career in character roles and appeared in such television programs as Little House on the Prairie, Wonder Woman, Three's Company and Ironside. She appeared with her husband in seven films, including her first, The Sporting Club (1971), and her last, Meet the Hollowheads (1989).

In 1988, Ramsey was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for her performance in Throw Momma from the Train (1987), with Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito. The film also earned her a second Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress; she had received her first for The Goonies (1985). In February 1988, aged 58, Ramsey guest-starred on an episode of ALF broadcast six months before her death. She had a cameo part in Scrooged shortly before her death. Six further films in which Ramsey appeared were released in the two years following her death.

Death Ramsey's somewhat slurred speech, a trademark of her later performances, was caused in part from having had some of her tongue and her jaw removed during surgery for esophageal cancer in 1984.

In 1988, Ramsey's cancer returned. She died on August 11 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California; she was 59 years old. Ramsey is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in North Omaha, Nebraska. Her grave was unmarked.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1971 The Sporting Club Scott's wife 1972 The New Centurions Wife of crazy man Uncredited Up the Sandbox Battleaxe 1973 The Third Girl from the Left Madelaine Television movie 1974 Rhinoceros Woman with cat For Pete's Sake Telephone lady The Law Eleanor Bleisch Television movie 1976 From Noon till Three Massive woman Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway Librarian Television movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble Rachel 1977 Fun with Dick and Jane Employment Applicant 1978 Goin' South Spinster #2 The Gift of Love Maeve O'Hollaran Television movie 1979 When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? Rhea Childress 1980 White Mama Heavy Charm Television movie The Black Marble Bessie Callahan Any Which Way You Can Loretta Quince 1981 Honky Tonk Freeway TV Chef Uncredited A Small Killing Doris Television movie 1982 Marian Rose White Teacher National Lampoon's Class Reunion Mrs. Tabazooski 1983 I Want to Live! Matron Television movie Herndon Miss Helter 1984 The Seduction of Gina Woman on bus Getting Physical Lady at Police Station The Killers First Ragpicker 1985 The Goonies Mama Fratelli Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress 1986 Say Yes Major Deadly Friend Elvira Parker 1987 Love at Stake Old Witch Weeds Mom Umstetter Throw Momma from the Train Momma Saturn Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture 1988 Dr. Hackenstein Ruby Rhodes Good Old Boy: A Delta Boyhood The Hag Television movieAlso known as The River PiratesReleased posthumously Scrooged Woman in shelter Released posthumously 1989 Meet the Hollowheads Babbleaxe Another Chance Leadlady Homer and Eddie Edna

Television Year Title Role Note 1972 Ironside Motel Manager Episode: "Riddle Me Death" Banyon Mrs. Hendricks Episode: "Just Once" 1973 Columbo Masseuse Episode: "Lovely But Lethal" 1975 Wonder Woman Taxi Cab Driver Episode: "The New Original Wonder Woman" 1976 Starsky and Hutch Evon/Gertrude Episode: "Birds of a feather" 1976 Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman Sister Bernadette Episode: "1.24" Delvecchio Mrs. Bellows Episode: "The Silent Prey" Charlie's Angels Henry's wife Episode: "Hellride" 1977 Wonder Woman Connie Episode: "Mind Stealers from Outer Space: Part 1" 1978 Little House on the Prairie Mrs. Schiller Episode: "As Long As We're Together: Part 1" ABC Afterschool Specials Nurse Episode: "A Home Run for Love" 1979 Laverne & Shirley Lady Episode: "Fire Show" CHiPs Nurse Betty Jo Episode: "Hot Wheels" 1982 Cassie & Co. Bertha Crabbe Episodes: "Man Overboard," "Lover Come Back" 1982 Laverne & Shirley Killer Episode: "Death Row: Part 2" 1983 Three's Company Woman at ATM Episode: "The Money Machine" 1984 Murder, She Wrote Bag Lady Episode: "The Murder of Sherlock Holmes" Family Ties Mrs. Warfield Episode: "Help Wanted" 1985 Hill Street Blues Mrs. Scalisi Episode: "Blues in the Night" Night Court Edna Sneer Episode: "Halloween, Too" 1986 Knight Rider Crossing Guard Episode: "Killer K.I.T.T." 1988 ALF Ethel Buttonwood Episode: "You Ain't Nothin' but a Hound Dog"