Elizabeth Hoffman (February 8, 1926 – August 21, 2023) was an American actress. She was best known for her regular role as Beatrice Reed Ventnor (mother of the sisters played by Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips) on the NBC drama series Sisters (1991–1996).
Early life Elizabeth Hoffman was born in Corvallis, Oregon on February 8, 1926.
Career Hoffman first appeared on television in a recurring role on Little House on the Prairie (1980–1981) before making her feature film debut in Frank LaLoggia's supernatural horror film Fear No Evil (1981), being cast in a leading role. In 1983, Hoffman portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt in Dan Curtis's historical miniseries The Winds of War. She had a supporting role opposite Barbra Streisand in the drama Nuts (1987), and subsequently reprised her role as Eleanor Roosevelt in the miniseries War and Remembrance in 1988.
Hoffman next appeared in Monte Hellman's horror film Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! (1989). From 1991 to 1996, she portrayed Beatrice Reed Ventnor, mother of the titular sister characters played by actresses Swoosie Kurtz, Sela Ward, Patricia Kalember and Julianne Phillips) on the drama series Sisters.
Hoffman guest-starred in a number of television shows and mini-series such as Little House on the Prairie, War and Remembrance, Matlock and thirtysomething, and well as several movies including playing "Grandma Ruth" in Dante's Peak. She also played the role of Catherine Langford in 2 episodes of Stargate SG-1.
Personal life Hoffman had two sons.
Death Hoffman died at her home in Malibu, California on August 21, 2023, at the age of 97.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1981 Fear No Evil Mikhail/Margaret Buchanan 1985 Do You Remember Love Lila Television film 1987 Nuts Dr. Johnson 1989 Elvis and Me Mother Superior 1989 Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out! Granny 1989 Born on the Fourth of July Passerby 1991 The Great Pretender Rose Outland 1994 The River Wild Gail's Mother 1995 Superfights Runner 1997 Dante's Peak Ruth
Television Year Title Role Notes 1980–1981 Little House on the Prairie Miss Mason 3 episodes 1982 The Greatest American Hero Margaret Detwiller 1 episode 1983 The Winds of War Eleanor Roosevelt Miniseries 1983 The A-Team Mother Superior 1 episode 1984 Blue Thunder Mrs. Moynihan 1 episode 1985 Hunter Mrs. Thelma Atkins 1 episode 1988 Roseanne Beverly Harris 1 episode (Unaired pilot) 1989 L.A. Law Jeanne Rubens 1 episode 1988–1989 War and Remembrance Eleanor Roosevelt Miniseries 1989 Star Trek: The Next Generation Premier Bhavani Episode: "The Price" 1989–1990 Matlock Judge Mary Russell 5 episodes 1989–1991 Thirtysomething Eleanor Krieger 5 episodes 1991–1996 Sisters Beatrice 'Bea' Reed Ventnor 127 episodes 1997–1998 Stargate SG-1 Catherine Langford 3 episodes "Torment of Tantalus", "There But For The Grace Of God", "Out of Mind" as flashback
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