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- Actress
- Make-Up Department
- Soundtrack
Marion Ramsey was an American actress and singer from Philadelphia. She is primarily known for her role as the soft-spoken policewoman Laverne Hooks in the "Police Academy" film series (1984-1994). Hooks was depicted as a "diminutive, soft-spoken and unassertive woman" with a high-pitched voice. But switched to a more aggressive and authoritative tone when sufficiently frustrated.
Ramsey was born in 1947, but little is known about her early life. She started her career as a theatrical actress, and became a prominent performer for Broadway shows. She appeared in the Broadway version of the hit musical "Hello, Dolly!" (1964) by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart, and subsequently was part of the musical's touring productions. The musical was an adaptation of the farce "The Merchant of Yonkers" (1938) by Thornton Wilder (1897 -1975), but was much better received than the original work.
Ramsey made her television debut as part of the regular cast in the variety series "Keep On Truckin'" (1975). This was a summer replacement series, broadcast by ABC on Saturday nights. It only lasted four episodes. In 1976, Ramsey made a guest-star appearance in an episode of the then-popular sitcom "The Jeffersons" (1975-1985).
Also in 1976, Ramsey became part of the regular cast of the short-lived sketch comedy show "Cos". The show was named after its host, the popular comedian Bill Cosby (1937-). The series only lasted for 9 episodes, and was canceled due to low ratings. It was replaced on ABC's schedule by a new show called "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries" (1977-1979), which was adapting mystery novels for children,. The novels were originally published by the long-running Stratemeyer Syndicate (1899-1987).
In 1977, Ramsey had a guest-star role in the short-lived sitcom "Sanford Arms" (1977). The series was intended as a sequel to the hit show "Sanford and Son" (1972-1977), but focused on a new protagonist. It failed to find an audience, and was canceled after only 4 episodes. Another 4 completed episodes, including the one featuring Ramsey, were never aired, although they became available on later reruns.
In 1978, Ramsey was one of the main performers of the revue "Eubie!" in Broadway. The revue showcased 23 songs by the popular jazz composer Eubie Blake (1887 - 1983). The show ran for 439 performances. Ramsey and the rest of the original cast participated in a recording of the show, which was released on vinyl in 1979.
Ramsey gained her first substantial film role in the police comedy "Police Academy" (1984), when she was 37-years-old. As cadet Laverne Hooks , she received enough screen time to be one of the film's memorable characters. The film was a box office hit, earning 150 million dollars at the worldwide box office. A film series featuring featuring the same cast followed. Ramsey appeared in 5 of the original film's sequels, and her character was soon depicted as a police sergeant. She made her last appearance in the film series in "Police Academy 6: City Under Siege" (1989). She did not appear in the series finale "Police Academy: Mission to Moscow" (1994), which also failed to include several other regular cast members.
In the early 1990s, Ramsey made a few appearances in then-popular television series, such as "MacGyver", "Beverly Hills, 90210", and "The Nanny". Most of her roles were minor unnamed characters. Ramsey worked as a voice actor in the animated series "The Addams Family" (1992 -1993). Her most memorable character in the series was summer camp owner D.I. Holler, who had the mentality of a drill sergeant. The character aimed to teach fitness and self-reliance to rich kids, but was unreasonably strict.
Ramsey had her next film role in the horror comedy "Maniacts" (2001) , where she played an unnamed prostitute. The film featured two serial killers who fall in love with each other, and try to settle down for a while. Ramsey next played a policewoman again in the comedy television film "Recipe for Disaster" (2003). The premise of the film is that the owners of a family restaurant have disappeared, and their underage kids try to operate the restaurant in their absence. The film is remembered for an early starring role for teenage actress Margo Harshman (1986-).
In 2006, Ramsey voiced Laverne Hooks in a comedy sketch of the animated series "Robot Chicken" (2005-). The sketch featured several characters from the "Police Academy" series being recruited as new members of the X-Men. The sketch reunited Ramsey with her former co-star Michael Winslow, an accomplished voice actor.
In 2007, Ramsey had a supporting role in the romantic comedy "Lord Help Us". The film's main plot is that the elderly preacher Henry Thomas (played by Bill Toliver) needs help to repair his reputation, after a rumor suggests that he is having an affair with a much younger woman. Also in 2007, Ramsey had a small role in the thriller film "The Stolen Moments of September". The film depicts the life of a young runaway, who befriends a suspected serial killer.
After a hiatus of a few years, Ramsey returned to film roles with the mystery comedy "Who Killed Soul Glow?" (2012). As the title suggests, it featured a murder mystery. In 2013, Ramsey appeared in the historical film "Return to Babylon", which depicted the lives of famous Hollywood actors in the 1920s. Ramsey played the maid of the famous vamp Barbara La Marr (1896 - 1926). The real life La Marr was highly popular in the 1920s, but died at the age of 29 due to tuberculosis.
In 2014, Ramsey played a supporting role in the sports film "Wal-Bob's". The film depicted the operation of an underground football league in Cincinnati. In 2015, Ramsey had a role in the science fiction horror television film "Lavalantula". The film depicted giant tarantulas unleashed in modern-day Los Angeles. The film notably reunited several veteran actors from the "Police Academy" film series, with the protagonist role reserved for Steve Guttenberg (1958-). Ramsey also appeared in the film's sequel "2 Lava 2 Lantula" (2016).
In 2016, Ramsey appeared in the comedy-drama film "DaZe: Vol. Too (sic) - NonSeNse". The film reunited several veterans of the "Police Academy" film series, and featured the last film role for Ramsey's longtime friend Bubba Smith (1945-2011). In 2018, Ramsey appeared in the biographical film "When I Sing", which was based on the life of singer-songwriter Linda Chorney (1960-). This was Ramsey's last film role.
Ramsey spend her last years in retirement.
In January she died at her residence in Los Angeles, following a short illness. Her cause of death was not announced to the public. She was 73-years-old at the time of her death. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered at sea. News of her death was covered by the press, as the actress was still well-known and fondly remembered. Ramsey is considered an icon of the 1980s.- Director
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Michael Apted was born on 10 February 1941 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. He was a director and producer, known for Amazing Grace (2006), Gorillas in the Mist (1988) and Rome (2005). He was married to Paige Simpson, Dana Stevens and Jo Apted. He died on 7 January 2021 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Deezer D was born in 1965 in Los Angeles, California. He is not only an actor but a popular performer in the Christian and underground hip hop communities. His latest release is titled "Unpredictable". He also briefly hosted a Christian Rap radio show in Los Angeles on station 96.3 KFSG.- Tommy Lasorda was one of the best managers in baseball until his retirement in July 1996. He was involved with the Los Angeles Dodgers for over 50 years. He managed the team from 1976 to 1996. He retired due to a heart attack. He thought being a manager would be too stressful.
- Val Bettin was born on 8 July 1923 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. He was an actor, known for The Great Mouse Detective (1986), Shrek (2001) and Somewhere in Time (1980). He died on 7 January 2021 in Ventura, California, USA.
- Actor
- Sound Department
- Additional Crew
Brad Venable was born on 16 July 1977 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. He was an actor, known for Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019), Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015) and The Boy and the Beast (2015). He was married to Kathryn Venable. He died on 7 January 2021 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Animation Department
- Art Department
- Script and Continuity Department
Dave Creek was born on 19 June 1978 in Bellevue, Washington, USA. Dave is known for Youth in Revolt (2009), The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022) and Bob's Burgers (2011). Dave died on 7 January 2021 in California, USA.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Susan Howe was an actress and producer, known for The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), The Old Forest (1985) and Bell Witch Haunting (2004). She died on 7 January 2021 in the USA.- Byron Clark was an actor, known for Knots Landing (1979), Six-Hundred & Sixty Six (1972) and Her Odd Tastes (1969). He died on 7 January 2021.
- Mary Grady was born on 9 November 1924 in Petaluma, California, USA. She was married to Lou Agrati. She died on 7 January 2021 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.
- Thomas Gumpert was born on 11 December 1952 in Lauchhammer, German Democratic Republic. He was an actor, known for Alisa: Follow Your Heart (2009), Verbotene Liebe (1995) and Von wegen! (2005). He was married to Volker Gumpert-Rosin. He died on 7 January 2021 in Germany.
- Neil Sheehan was born on 27 October 1936 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. He was a writer, known for A Bright Shining Lie (1998), Going Upriver (2004) and Dateline: Saigon (2016). He was married to Susan Sheehan. He died on 7 January 2021 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
- Taky Kimura was born on 12 March 1924 in Washington, USA. He was an actor, known for The Curse of the Dragon (1993), Bruce Lee in G.O.D.: Shibôteki yûgi (2000) and Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey (2000). He died on 7 January 2021 in Winchester, California, USA.
- Additional Crew
Charles Hadley was born on 24 January 1928 in Elkin, North Carolina, USA. He is known for A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004), Shag (1988) and Rambling Rose (1991). He was married to Jane Hadley. He died on 7 January 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.- Valeri Khlevinsky was born on 14 November 1943 in Vladimir, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor, known for Molchaniye doktora Ivensa (1974), Sobstvennoe mnenie (1977) and Oglasheniyu ne podlezhit (1987). He died on 7 January 2021 in Moscow, Russia.
- Ildikó Szabó was born on 23 April 1934 in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. She was an actress, known for Vasvirág (1958), Égi madár (1958) and Próbaút (1961). She died on 7 January 2021 in Hungary.
- Biserka Cvejic was born on 5 November 1923 in Krilo-Jesenice near Split, Croatia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Der Zigeunerbaron (1975), Zlatni vek - 100 godina opere (2020) and Das gläserne Wappen (1983). She died on 7 January 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia.
- Tom LaBonge was born on 6 October 1953 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Designed for Dreaming (2010), Clash of Colors: LA Riots of 1992 (2012) and The Hollywood Moment at Home Edition (2020). He was married to Brigid. He died on 7 January 2021 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Genival Lacerda was born on 5 April 1931 in Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. He was an actor, known for Bye Bye Brazil (1980), Made in Brazil (1985) and Hit Parade (2021). He died on 7 January 2021 in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.- François Périgot was born on 2 May 1926 in Lyon, Rhône, France. He died on 7 January 2021 in France.
- John Heilpern was born on 8 April 1942 in Manchester, England, UK. He was a writer, known for BBC2 Playhouse (1973) and Theater Talk (1996). He was married to Joan Juliet Buck and Sydney Houghton Weinberg. He died on 7 January 2021 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Camera and Electrical Department
Else Kjær Hedegaard was born on 5 December 1940 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is known for Sidste akt (1987), Kassen stemmer (1976) and Landsbyen (1991). She died on 7 January 2021.- Giuseppe Turani was born on 29 April 1941 in Voghera, Lombardy, Italy. He died on 7 January 2021 in Broni, Lombardy, Italy.
- Additional Crew
Martin Markinson was born on 23 December 1931 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is known for Colin Quinn: Long Story Short (2011), Spotlight on Broadway (2013) and The 37th Annual Tony Awards (1983). He was married to Arlena. He died on 7 January 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.- Christopher Little was born on 10 October 1941 in York, England, UK. He was a producer, known for The Hippopotamus (2017) and 60 Minutes (1968). He was married to Gilly and Linda Frewen. He died on 7 January 2021 in London, England, UK.
- Valeriy Guriev was born on 26 April 1953 in Gorkiy, USSR. He was an actor, known for Chest imeyu (1988). He died on 7 January 2021 in Moscow, Russia.
- Solange was born on 25 April 1952 in Collesalvetti, Livorno, Tuscany, Italy. He was married to Veronica. He died on 7 January 2021 in Collesalvetti, Tuscany, Italy.
- Hector Zarzuela was born on 3 June 1937 in La Vega, Dominican Republic. He died on 7 January 2021 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Jamie O'Hara was born on 8 August 1950 in Toledo, Ohio, USA. He was a composer, known for An Unfinished Life (2005), Lucky You (2007) and Two If by Sea (1996). He was married to Lola White. He died on 7 January 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.- Riccardo Cioni was born on 14 October 1954 in Leghorn, Tuscany, Italy. He was an actor, known for Champagne... e fagioli (1980) and Ad ovest di Paperino (1981). He died on 7 January 2021 in Leghorn, Tuscany, Italy.