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Elsa Raven

Elsa Raven
Born
Elsa Rabinowitz

(1929-09-21)September 21, 1929
DiedNovember 2, 2020(2020-11-02) (aged 91)
OccupationActress
Years active1961–2011

Elsa Rabinowitz (September 21, 1929 – November 2, 2020), known professionally as Elsa Raven, was an American character actress, perhaps best known for her two years (1988–1990) on the sitcom Amen and playing the mother of Vincent Terranova (Ken Wahl) on the TV series Wiseguy.[1]

Raven is also known for her small but memorable role in Back to the Future (1985) as the clock tower lady with her phrase "Save the clock tower!" while gathering local donations to preserve the clock, whose complimentary leaflet later proves invaluable in the past. She played Ida Straus in the 1997 film Titanic along with Lew Palter, who played Isidor Straus,[2] and had a voice role in the 1981 animated film American Pop.[3]

Raven adhered to Judaism.[4] Raven died on November 2, 2020, in Los Angeles, at the age of 91.[5][6] Upon her death, she was cremated and her ashes returned to her family.[citation needed]

Filmography

Film appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1970 The Honeymoon Killers Matron
1971 Such Good Friends Transfusion donor nurse Uncredited
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight Mrs. Water Buffalo
Lady Liberty Policewoman Uncredited
South of Hell Mountain
1972 A Fan's Notes Deborah
1979 The Cracker Factory Tourist
The Amityville Horror Mrs. Townsend
1980 Fatso Phil's Wife
1981 American Pop Hannele Voice
The Postman Always Rings Twice Matron
Paternity Pre-natal Nurse
1983 Second Thoughts Large Nurse
Twilight Zone: The Movie Nurse No. 2 Segment "Kick the Can"
1985 Back to the Future Clocktower Lady
Creator Mrs. Mallory
1988 The Moderns Gertrude Stein
1991 Another You Volunteer
1993 Indecent Proposal Citizenship Student
In the Line of Fire Booth's Landlady
Fearless Grey Haired Lady
1995 One Night Stand Mrs. Salvatore
1997 Titanic Ida Straus
2001 Face to Face Grandma
2002 The 4th Tenor Mama
2005 The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green Senior Lady
The Cutter Mrs. Rosen
Laying Down Arms Ester Short movie
2006 Miriam Aunt Levya
2009 Dead Game Boogie Short movie
2011 They're with Me Great Great Grandma Fanny Feiner Short movie
Answers to Nothing Mrs. Harrison

TV appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Million Dollar Infield Dr. Isabel Armen
1978-1982 Quincy, M.E. Miss Beck, Miss Coroner Judge, Nurse Angela Davenport
1983-1984 The A-Team Clara Dickerson, Dr. Marian Ericson
1985 Highway to Heaven Ms. Zabenko
1986 Family Ties Mildred Atkins
1986 General Hospital Tessie
1988 Freddy's Nightmares Mrs. Wildmon
1989-1990 Amen Igna
1987-1990 Wiseguy Carlotta Terranova Aiuppo
1991 Get a Life Marta
1992 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Ida Pollock
1993 Murphy Brown Mrs. Kobolakis
1993 Sisters Madam Sophie
1994 Seinfeld Mom
1999 3rd Rock from the Sun Aunt Florence
2004 Everybody Loves Raymond Mrs. Lopman
2008 ER Rosemary Smalls

References

  1. ^ "Elsa Raven". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2013-01-31.
  2. ^ Heyer, Paul (2012). Titanic Century: Media, Myth, and the Making of a Cultural Icon. ABC-CLIO. p. 158. ISBN 9780313398155.
  3. ^ Canby, Vincent (February 13, 1981). "'American Pop' Grown-Up Animation". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  4. ^ "Back to the Future and Seinfeld actress Elsa Raven dies at 91". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 2020-11-29.
  5. ^ Neil, Genzlinger (November 5, 2020). "Elsa Raven, 'Back to the Future' Character Actress, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  6. ^ "'Back to the Future' Writer Bob Gale Pays Tribute to "Memorable" Elsa Raven | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 5 November 2020.