With grief, we have to report that film and Broadway actress Marion Ramsey has passed away, the news was first reported by Deadline Citing her management team at Roger Paul Inc. Ramsey was best known for acting as Officer Laverne Hooks’ soft-spoken voice in six Police Academy films in the 1980s. No cause of death was reported at the time of publication, but the trade notes that Ramsey had been ill for a few days. Ramsey was 73 at the time of her death. We express our deepest condolences to her family and friends during this tragic time.
Born on May 10, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ramsey’s career began onstage where she starred in the original Broadway run of Hello, Dolly !, which appeared in the Broadway version from 1964 to 1970 and later the same year in the touring production. . Her other credits on stage included Eubie !, Rock ‘N Roll! The First 5,000 Years, Grind and Uptown … It’s Hot!
Ramsey’s role in the Police Academy series would begin with the first film to introduce her character, Cadet Laverne Hooks at the time. The recurring joke with Hooks was her soft and meek nature, including mouse-like nature, which often led to her exploding in a scene to yell at someone. She would reprise her role in all five sequels, Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment, 3: Back in Training, 4: Citizens on Patrol, etc., starring Steve Guttenberg, Bubba Smith, David Graf, Michael Winslow, Bruce Mahler and Bobcat Goldthwait. Ramsey even took over her role for an episode of Robot Chicken.
However, her career in film and television was not limited to this comedy comedy series, which has appeared on the sketch / variety shows Keep On Truckin ‘and Cos, plus appearances on The Jeffersons, The Nanny, Beverly Hills, 90210, MacGyver and Modern Family. . She recently appeared in the original 2915 SYFY movie Lavalantula, starring alongside her Police Academy co-stars Steve Guttenberg and Michael Winslow. She also reprized her role for the 2016 sequel, 2 Lava 2 Lantula. Her last credit was the 2018 comedy / drama When I Sing.
To further cement her role as a multi-hyphenated performer, Ramsey also worked as a singer and songwriter, writing songs for soul singer Pat Hodges and the female group The Sweet Inspirations.
According to Hollywood trade, Ramsey is survived by three brothers. May she rest in peace.
(Photo by Bobby Bank / Getty Images)