4 hours ago
12
Mary Louise Weller, who was known for her role in the comedy Animal House, passed away at the age of 79 on Thursday, October 1.
The late actress's passing comes after a brief illness and just one day before her 80th birthday, her partner Michael Roy Curtis announced, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Close friend David Marks also confirmed her passing with an emotional tribute on Facebook.
'It is with great sadness that I share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend Mary louise Weller. Beautiful Mary, friend, actress, model, equestrian, passed away quietly,' he wrote.
Weller was born on October 2, 1946 in New York before being raised in the Los Angeles area.
Her career in the entertainment industry began with modeling, and she later made her acting debut in the 1972 political comedy Hail!
Mary Louise Weller, who was known for her role in the comedy Animal House, passed away at the age of 79 on Thursday, October 1; seen far right in Animal House (1978)
The late actress's passing comes after a brief illness and just one day before her 80th birthday, her partner Michael Roy Curtis announced, per The Hollywood Reporter
The following year, she took on a minor role in the biographical crime drama film Serpico which had starred Al Pacino.
Throughout the 70s, Weller made brief appearances in television shows such as Kojak.
In 1978, she starred in the supernatural horror movie titled The Evil alongside Richard Crenna and Joanna Pettet.
That same year, Weller was cast as sorority girl Mandy Pepperidge in National Lampoon's Animal House.
The project had also starred John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Karen Allen, Kevin Bacon, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, Donald Sutherland and Thomas Hulce.
The film, which had been set in the early 60s, was a box office success upon its release in theaters.
Animal House, which was directed by John Landis, raked in around $141.6 million at the time on a budget of $3 million.
During a past interview with Cult Film Freak back in 2012, Weller recalled deciding to join the movie after showing the script to ABC head Brandon Stoddard.
Close friend David Marks also confirmed her passing with an emotional tribute on Facebook
Her career in the entertainment career began with modeling, and she later made her acting debut in the 1972 political comedy Hail!; seen above in 1980
Animal House, which was directed by John Landis, raked in around $141.6 million at the time on a budget of $3 million; Weller seen above with Belushi and his wife Judy Jacklin in 1978
'He also knew it would be an enormous hit, but he warned me that it would be the movie I would always be known for,' the late actress recalled.
Following Animal House, Weller went on to take on guest roles in a number of shows such as Starsky And Hutch, CHiPs, Supertrain and Detective School.
The star also made appearances in episodes of Fantasy Island.
She starred in the 1979 movie The Bell Jar, which is an adaptation of Sylvia Plath's 1963 novel.
The actress worked with Ted Danson and Christopher Lee on the television film Once Upon A Spy in 1980.
In 1982, Weller worked alongside Chuck Norris in the action film Forced Vengeance. That same year, she also took on a role in the films Q and Blood Tide.
'He also knew it would be an enormous hit, but he warned me that it would be the movie I would always be known for,' the late actress recalled; seen above in Animal House (1978)
'I was the beautiful girl in trouble or the rich guy's daughter who owns a Porsche and won't give you the time of day,' she told the outlet; seen above with Ted Danson in Once Upon A Spy (1980)
She also starred in an episode of Quincy, M.E. in 1983 which was additionally her final acting credit.
Weller briefly opened up about her acting career during a past interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1986.
'I was the beautiful girl in trouble or the rich guy's daughter who owns a Porsche and won't give you the time of day,' she told the outlet.
Weller's godfather was late actor Danny Kaye, who was known for films such as White Christmas.
English (US) ·