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Conchata Ferrell dies at 77, ‘Two and a Half Men’ co-star Charlie Sheen calls it 'shocking and painful loss'

While Ferrell is popularly remembered for her TV role, she was an accomplished stage actress, who gained success off-Broadway. In fact, it was her theater roles that led her to the world of television

Award-winning theater actor Conchata Ferrell, who received global fame as Berta, the gruff no-nonsense housekeeper who worked for Charlie Sheen on the hit CBS comedy ‘Two and a Half Men’ died on Monday, October 12, as a result of complications following a cardiac arrest. Ferrell died surrounded by family at Sherman Oaks Hospital in Sherman Oaks, California. Ferrell was hospitalized in December 2019 for a kidney infection. In May, she was hospitalized once again following a heart attack. She was later moved to long-term care, reportedly remaining on a respirator and on dialysis until her death.

Ferrell was born on March 28, 1943, in Loudendale, West Virginia. After studying at West Virginia University, she worked various odd jobs, including waitressing, as a hotel desk clerk, and even as an assembly-line worker. After moving to New York, Ferrell made her stage debut in Anton Chekhov’s ‘The Three Sisters’. There she was cast as the maid. Funnily enough, her first appearance on any screen was on the sitcom ‘Maude’ in 1974, where she once again played the role of a maid.

While Ferrell is popularly remembered for her TV role, she was an accomplished stage actress, who gained success off-Broadway as an original member of the Circle Repertory Theatre. She received the Drama Desk Award, a Theatre World Award, and an Obie Award for Best Actress for her performance as Gertrude Blum in ‘The Sea Horse’ in 1974. In fact, it was her theater roles that led her to the world of television. Her role as April Green in ‘Hot L Baltimore’ landed her the starring role in the Norman Lear series of the same name.

Ferrell received her first Emmy nomination in 1992 for a recurring role as Susan Bloom, a ruthless entertainment lawyer, on ‘L.A. Law’. Her role in ‘Two and a Half Men’ brought her two Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. Ferrell reportedly said in an interview once that the three favorite characters she had played were Berta, April, and Susan Bloom. All three characters, she said, had “zest for living life to the fullest in the best way available to them.”

On social media, many fans and fellow actors joined in to pay their condolences. Her ‘Two and a Half Men’ co-star John Cryer wrote in a long thread, “She was a beautiful human. Berta’s gruff exterior was an invention of the writers. Chatty’s warmth and vulnerability were her real strengths. I’m crying for the woman I’ll miss, and the joy she brought so many,” adding, “I’m glad that I absolutely knew how fortunate I was to share a stage with her. I treasured every moment and will continue to until we meet again. I have a feeling she’ll call me ‘Zippy’.” 

He also said, “If you’re so inclined, today would be a great day to check out her wonderful body of film work. Edward Scissorhands, Erin Brockovich, or some of her work from back in the day like Network and the little-seen gem Heartland with Rip Torn.” Actor Charlie Sheen wrote, “An absolute sweetheart. A consummate pro. A genuine friend. A shocking and painful loss. Berta, your housekeeping was a tad suspect, your ‘people’ keeping was perfect.”

Journalist David Itzkoff wrote on Twitter reminding of another good role performed by Ferrell. He said, “RIP to the great Conchata Ferrell. Here she is with Faye Dunaway in a short but memorable scene from NETWORK.” Another Twitter user wrote, “Just heard that Conchata Ferrell passed away. I was always so happy to see her pop up in something. There is no Mystic Pizza without Leona. I love that she + Julia reunited for Erin B. But in my heart she’ll always be the Romanian gymnastics official from the 1984 TV movie Nadia.” Another fan wrote, “I will remember her from Network (1976), Edward Scissorhands (1990), True Romance (1993), and Erin Brockovich (2000). She always stood out. So long. R.I.P. Conchata Ferrell.”

Ferrel’s final roles were in ‘Deported’ and ‘A Very Nutty Christmas’. She married Arnie Anderson, a film-industry sound mixer, in 1986. She is survived by him and her daughter, Samantha Anderson, and two stepdaughters, Lisa and Caitlin Anderson.