Marion Ramsey, best known for her role as the demure Officer Laverne Hooks in Police Academy franchise, died on Thursday at his home in Los Angeles, as Variety reports. She was 73 years old. The cause of death has not yet been released, but a Ramsey agency representative said the actress had recently fallen ill.
Ramsey launched his professional career in the theater. She appeared in the 1964 Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! and her touring versions, and in 1974 she co-starred with Bette Davis in Miss Moffat. In 1978, she landed a role in the hit biographical musical on Broadway Eubie!, who presented the work of jazz pianist Eubie Blake.
In addition to praising the theater, she made TV appearances on shows like The Jeffersons and had a recurring role in sketch comedy series Waistband. But it was his run in the 1980s, portraying the shy officer Hooks, who would later become sergeant. Hooks, which she became best known over the six films in the franchise.
His character Hooks was first seen as a cadet at the opening of 1984 Police Academy. Ramsey said he originally scored the role due to some inspiration from Michael Jackson, who she met while working on Little shop of horrors the night before the audition for the film. “I imitated Michael Jackson,” she said, adding that the script described the character speaking in a low voice. “So I based my voice on it, but all mannerisms … shyness, I made it all up.”
After she left the franchise, which released another film and two series after she left, she appeared on several TV shows, including unique roles in MacGyver, Beverly Hills, 90210 and The baby sitter. She later reprized her role as Hooks in 2006 Robot Chicken. In 2015 Lavalantula and 2016 2 Lava 2 Lantula!, Ramsey met with Police Academy co-stars Steve Guttenberg and Michael Winslow.