Marion Ramsey (May 10, 1947 – January 7, 2021) was an American actress and singer.[1] She was a regular on the series Cos but is best known for her role as the soft-spoken Officer Laverne Hooks in the Police Academy films.[2] Later she appeared in the films Recipe for Disaster and Return to Babylon, and in the television films for SyFy, such as Lavalantula and 2 Lava 2 Lantula!.[3]
Marion Ramsey | |
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Born | (1947-05-10)May 10, 1947 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | January 7, 2021(2021-01-07) (aged 73) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, songwriter |
Years active | 1975–2018 |
Born in Philadelphia, Ramsey's entertainment career started on stage. She co-starred in Broadway shows, including productions of Eubie! and Grind, and toured the US in the musical Hello Dolly. Her first television part was a guest role on the series The Jeffersons, and was a regular on Cos, the Bill Cosby sketch comedy series.[4] In 1976, Her career in TV and film took off after she appeared as a guest on the hit sitcom The Jeffersons.[5]
Ramsey was deeply committed to AIDS awareness and lent her voice for charitable causes, performing in "Divas Simply Singing," an annual fundraising event. Later in her career, she had guest appearances on Adult Swim shows Robot Chicken and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. In 2015, she reunited with Police Academy stars Steve Guttenberg and Michael Winslow in the Syfy camp film Lavalantula and its sequel 2 Lava 2 Lantula! the following year. Her final acting role was in the 2018 indie film When I Sing.[4]
Ramsey had three brothers. She died at her Los Angeles home on January 7, 2021, after a short illness.[6][7]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Refs |
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1975 | Keep on Truckin' | Various | Regular role | [8] |
1976 | The Jeffersons | Tracy Williams | Episode: "The Breakup: Part 2" | [3] |
Cos | Various | Regular role | [8][3] | |
1984 | Police Academy | Cadet Laverne Hooks | On Police Academy: What an Institution! (UK: video title) | [7][9] |
Family Secrets | Linda Jones | [10] | ||
1985 | Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment | Officer Laverne Hooks | [7][9] | |
1986 | Police Academy 3: Back in Training | Sgt. Laverne Hooks | [7][9] | |
1987 | Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol | On Citizens on Patrol: Police Academy 4 (UK: poster title) | [7][9] | |
1988 | Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach | [7][9] | ||
1989 | Police Academy 6: City Under Siege | [7][9] | ||
1990 | MacGyver | Police officer | Episode: "Harry's Will" | [9] |
1991 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Careers Counsellor | Episode: "Stand (Up) and Deliver" | [9] |
1993 | Johnny Bago | Nurse Roberta 'Bobbie' Thompson | Episode: "Hail the Conquering Marrow" | |
John Virgo: Playing for Laughs | Officer Hooks | [3] | ||
Daddy Dearest | Cop No. 2 | |||
1994 | The Nanny | Woman in Audience | Episode: "The Strike"[citation needed] | [11] |
2001 | Maniacts | Hooker | ||
2003 | Recipe for Disaster | Motorcycle Cop | TV movie | |
2006 | Robot Chicken | Laverne Hooks / Teacher | Voice, Episode: "Sausage Fest"[citation needed] | [4] |
2007 | Lord Help Us | Doretha Jackson | ||
The Stolen Moments of September | Ms. Henshaw | |||
2009 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Harriet | Episode: "Harriet"[citation needed] | [4] |
2011 | Modern Family | Lady in salon | Episode: "Two Monkeys and a Panda"[citation needed] | [11] |
2012 | Who Killed Soul Glow? | |||
2013 | Return to Babylon | Barbara's Maid[citation needed] | [11] | |
2014 | Wal-Bob's | Lillian | [10] | |
2015 | Lavalantula | Teddie | TV movie | [9] |
2016 | 2 Lava 2 Lantula! | [9] | ||
DaZe Vol. Too (sic) – NonSeNse | Ms. Thenusda Norbuckle | |||
2017 | Vendetta | Wilhelmina Thibodeaux | ||
2018 | When I Sing | Reggie | (final film role) | [9][4] |
Ramsey was a singer and songwriter who wrote songs with Haras Fyre (composer of "Supernatural Thing," "This Time I'll Be Sweeter," "Satan's Daughter" for Gary Glitter, and others).[citation needed]
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