LOS ANGELES – Marion Ramsey, known for acting in the “Police Academy” films and decorating Broadway stages in “Eubie!” From 1978, he died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. She was 73 years old.
Roger Paul of Roger Paul Inc., the agency that managed Ramsey, confirmed the news to Variety. Ramsey fell ill recently, but his exact cause of death has yet to be determined.
Although many know Ramsey for his role as Officer Laverne Hooks in the “Police Academy” films, his career began much earlier. In 1964, she appeared on “Hello, Dolly!” And in the 1970s she established herself as a talent in theater, cinema and television. On stage, she acted on “Miss Moffat” and on screen she participated in the variety show “Keep On Truckin ‘” on ABC and had a regular role on “Cos”.
But 1984 brought the role that would mark the success of Ramsey’s career. With the first “Police Academy”, Ramsey found a film franchise that would accompany her during the 1980s. She continued to act in the cinema until the sixth edition in 1989, “Police Academy 6: City Under Siege”.
Ramsey continued to shine on the screen after his departure from the franchise – which now includes another film and two series. She played unique roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “MacGyver”, while voicing DI Holler in the animation “The Addams Family” from 1992 to 1993.
The actress continued her career in the 2010s, meeting with “Police Academy” cast colleague Steve Guttenberg for “Lavalantula” (2015) and “2 Lava 2 Lantula!” (2016). Her final acting credit came in 2018’s “When I Sing”, a film about a woman suddenly swept into the music industry after a long and mostly disappointing music career.
Ramsey was also an active advocate for HIV and AIDS awareness.
She leaves her three brothers.