Elizabeth Hoffman (actress)

Elizabeth Hoffman (February 8, 1926 – August 21, 2023) was an American character actress. She was best known for her regular role as Beatrice Reed Ventnor (mother of the sisters played by actresses Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips) on the NBC drama series Sisters (1991–1996).

Elizabeth Hoffman
Hoffman in Fear No Evil (1981)
Born(1926-02-08)February 8, 1926
Corvallis, Oregon, U.S.
DiedAugust 21, 2023(2023-08-21) (aged 97)
Malibu, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1980–1998

Personal life

Elizabeth Hoffman was born in Corvallis, Oregon on February 8, 1926.[1][2] She had two sons.[1]

Hoffman died at her home in Malibu, California on August 21, 2023, at the age of 97.[1]

Career

Hoffman first appeared on television in a recurring role on Little House on the Prairie (1980–1981) before making her feature film debut in Frank LaLoggia's supernatural horror film Fear No Evil (1981), being cast in the leading role. In 1983, Hoffman portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt in Dan Curtis's historical miniseries The Winds of War.[1] She had a supporting role opposite Barbra Streisand in the drama Nuts (1987), and subsequently reprised her role as Eleanor Roosevelt in the miniseries War and Remembrance in 1988.

Hoffman next appeared in Monte Hellman's horror film Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (1989). From 1991 to 1996, she portrayed Beatrice Reed Ventnor, mother of the titular sister characters played by actresses Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips) on the drama series Sisters.[3][4]

Hoffman guest-starred in a number of television shows and mini-series such as Little House on the Prairie, War and Remembrance, Matlock and thirtysomething, and well as several movies including playing "Grandma Ruth" in Dante's Peak.[5] She also played the role of Catherine Langford in Stargate SG-1.[6]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1981 Fear No Evil Mikhail/Margaret Buchanan [6]
1985 Do You Remember Love Lila Television film
1987 Nuts Dr. Johnson
1989 Elvis and Me Mother Superior
1989 Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! Granny
1989 Born on the Fourth of July Passerby [6]
1991 The Great Pretender Rose Outland
1994 The River Wild Gail's Mother [2]
1995 Superfights Runner
1997 Dante's Peak Ruth [6]

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1980–1981 Little House on the Prairie Miss Mason 3 episodes [6]
1982 The Greatest American Hero Margaret Detwiller 1 episode
1983 The Winds of War Eleanor Roosevelt Miniseries [6]
1983 The A-Team Mother Superior 1 episode
1984 Blue Thunder Mrs. Moynihan 1 episode
1985 Hunter Mrs. Thelma Atkins 1 episode
1989 L.A. Law Jeanne Rubens 1 episode
1988–1989 War and Remembrance Eleanor Roosevelt Miniseries
1989 Star Trek: The Next Generation Premier Bhavani Episode: "The Price"
1989–1990 Matlock Judge Mary Russell 5 episodes
1989–1991 Thirtysomething Eleanor Krieger 5 episodes
1991–1996 Sisters Beatrice 'Bea' Reed Ventnor 127 episodes [6]
1997–1998 Stargate SG-1 Catherine Langford 3 episodes "Torment of Tantalus", "There But For The Grace Of God", "Out of Mind" as flashback [6]

References
  1. Barnes, Mike (October 23, 2023). "Elizabeth Hoffman, the Mother Bea on 'Sisters,' Dies at 97". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023.
  2. Baker, Jeff (April 30, 2014). "17 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Oregon". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017.
  3. Szul, Barbara (May 5, 1991). "New 'Sisters' TV Series Explores The Tangle Of Family, Relationships". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  4. O'Connor, John J. (May 4, 1996). "After 5 Years of Family Fractiousness, 'Sisters' Exits Elegantly". The New York Times. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  5. Kempley, Rita (February 7, 1997). "'Dante's Peak': Lava Among the Ruins". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
  6. "Elizabeth Hoffman: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved June 8, 2013.
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